NFL analyst questions Bengals' offseason hype despite playoff absence
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 21, 2026, 3:00 AM
Last updated Jun 21, 2026
As the Cincinnati Bengals gear up for the 2026 NFL season, they are receiving significant attention, largely due to Joe Burrow's return to health and defensive improvements. However, analyst Nick Wright expressed skepticism on 'First Things First', highlighting that the Bengals have not reached the playoffs since their 2022 season loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He noted that teams with similar recent records garner less media focus, sparking debate about the Bengals' sustained hype following their 2021 Super Bowl run. Cincinnati's upcoming training camp will further reveal whether this offseason's optimism is justified, especially given Burrow's injury history and recent roster additions aiming to bolster their defense.
- •Bengals have not played in a playoff game since 2022.
- •Analyst Nick Wright questions the team's media coverage amid their lack of recent success.
- •Burrow's health and defensive upgrades are central to offseason optimism.
- •The team's training camp will be pivotal for assessing their potential.
- •Cincinnati faces pressure to match past achievements after their 2021 Super Bowl appearance.
- 3:00 AMYahoo Sports — NFL Analyst Questions Why Bengals Are Still Being Talked About
"The Cincinnati Bengals enter the 2026 NFL season as one of the most hyped teams, but one analyst isn’t convinced.
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