Rumors even state that the Chiefs could eye a trade in the 2026 NFL Draft to land Rueben Bain. That’s how much interest he is gathering. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Bengals are hosting Bain on Friday.

The Giants have the 5th pick, while Chiefs are ninth. The Bengals have the 10th overall pick, so it’s a tricky situation for them if they want to land the pass-rusher. Considering the Chiefs could even trade up, the Bengals must do the same apparently.

Bain has one key problem, but plenty of upside

Bain had 9.5 sacks with 15.5 tackles for loss and an interception last season for the Miami Hurricanes. He has the speed, the brute strength and cleverness to create harm against the tackles. He was a menace at the collegiate level.

However, as Warren Sharp pointed out, Bain “will have the shortest arms (30 7/8″) for a 1st round pick at EDGE in the last 20 years.” No player with arms shorter than 31″ has had a double-digit-sack season for the last two decades.

It looks like Bain is a lock to be a top 10 pick

With all these visits and stock just getting up, it’s almost a certainty that Bain will go during the first 10 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft. Bain’s season and helping the Hurricanes go all the way to the National Championship game has made him a name to follow.

Although the Giants want to keep Lawrence, Harbaugh has left the door open on potential Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux trades. That door that was left ajar may be flung wide open as Cincinnati could put together a trade package the Giants can’t resist.

According to New York Post reporter Adam Schein, the Bengals could offer their second and third-round selections (41st and 72nd overall) in the upcoming NFL Draft in exchange for Lawrence. “I would pay [Lawrence], but [the Giants] have to balance everything here. Including that Cincinnati [Bengals] package,” Schein commented.

Why such a trade package makes sense for Giants

Such a trade package from the Bengals would also be aligned with the Giants’ reported asking price for Lawrence. New York could be asking for a late first-rounder or a second-round selection. If the G-Men can get a second, as well as a third, it may be enough to convince them to pull the trigger on a Lawrence trade. As it stands, though, the Giants are far from sold on shipping their star nose tackle away.

Harbaugh stated he wants to keep Lawrence, and he believes Lawrence wants to stay in New York, as well. The 63-year-old knows his way around the NFL—this isn’t his first rodeo—and he knows how Lawrence may be using the trade request to gain leverage in contract negotiations. At the end of the day, words are like wind, and what Lawrence says in April can be easily forgotten come September if the two sides agree on a restructured deal..

Cincinnati’s perspective

If it comes down to it, then Cincinnati may have the best offer on the table for New York. Still, other reports also hint it may be the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears who have the advantage, because they have late first-round picks available to trade. Cincinnati, on the other hand, drafts 10th overall in the 2026 draft, and all signs indicate the Bengals aren’t sending that first-round selection anywhere.

The organization in the Queen City has enough areas to address that it can’t afford to miss out on such a high draft pick. Lawrence could provide the Bengals with the perfect player to aid their struggling defensive line, especially after Trey Hendrickson left for their rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. Lawrence would become an instant staple for Cincinnati’s defense and the best interior D-lineman in the Queen City since Geno Atkins.

Still, if the Bengals look to simply trade for Lawrence—keeping him under the same contract he has with the New York Giants—they could only be setting themselves up for a headache in the long run, with the nose tackle likely to demand a new deal in Cincy, just as he did in the Big Apple.

“I love the building,” the experienced signal-caller said via the team’s official website. “I enjoyed being there, and I’m excited about being back with the fellas.”

Flacco had previously expressed his desire to remain in Cincinnati if he didn’t land a QB1 job elsewhere. In the end, his preferred outcome for what’s ahead came to fruition.

The former Super Bowl champion with Ravens is set to enter his 19th NFL season after agreeing to a one-year, $6 million deal. His previous stint in Cincinnati clearly did enough to convince the franchise to keep him for another year as a backup to Burrow.

A positive stint with the Bengals

The reason Flacco chose Cincinnati once again isn’t just about job security. He also acknowledged enjoying a great work environment during last season.

“I felt like I had to be careful with some certain decisions. I don’t want to be in another situation where I’m going and playing four games like I did last year in Cleveland,” he revealed.

“…I had such a good time with everybody on the team. Plus, Zac and Brad and Pitch. Those guys were all positive thoughts when I was thinking about going back. It’s not just one thing, as always. It was the overall experience and the overall building.“

Flacco’s strong impression in Cincinnati

During his 2025 season in Queen City, Flacco completed 61.7% of his passes for 1,664 yards, recording 13 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions across nine games. Despite a 1-5 record as a starter, his veteran leadership and a career-high 470-yard performance against the Chicago Bears earned him the first Pro Bowl selection of his 18-year career.

Joe Burrow’s serious midseason injury forced the franchise to seek a quick reinforcement. Flacco, coming from the Browns, didn’t hesitate to choose his new destination.

Another year in the NFL for Flacco

Remaining in the NFL for another season further adds to Joe Flacco’s legacy in the league. As one of only two quarterbacks over 40—alongside Aaron Rodgers—the Bengals continue to benefit from his experience and skill set. These are the teams he has represented throughout his career:

• Baltimore Ravens
• Denver Broncos
• New York Jets
• Philadelphia Eagles
• Cleveland Browns
• Indianapolis Colts
• Cincinnati Bengals

There’s a reason the Bengals signed Burrow to a five-year, $275 million extension back in 2023. Still, that record-breaking contract did little to protect Burrow from injuries. Burrow has missed 22 games due to injury in his NFL career, and 16 since he put pen to paper on the extension in Cincinnati.

If the Bengals want to have success—which they haven’t had in the past two seasons—they must keep Burrow away from the blue tent and the medical room. Yet if they can’t, and Burrow’s injury-proneness outweighs their efforts, they must have a solid backup quarterback ready to take over.

With Flacco, Cincinnati has just that: a timeless student of the game who already knows the organization and his teammates, and definitely knows his way around the league to come away with wins. However, having Flacco ready to take over doesn’t take anything away from the other obvious issue. There is an elephant in the room that the Bengals must address.

Protecting Burrow is a must for Bengals

There is no other way around it: Cincinnati must invest in its offensive line. The five players in the trenches may not be household names around the league, but it ultimately comes down to them to keep the star quarterback safe.

So far, Burrow has never enjoyed the perks of a top offensive line in Cincinnati. As a result, not only has he struggled to put together winning seasons consistently, but he has also paid the ultimate price with his health.

Burrow’s injury history

According to Draft Sharks, Burrow has been injured seven times in his NFL career, including season-ending injuries in 2020 (knee) and 2023 (wrist), as well as a long absence in 2025 (turf toe). At this pace, Burrow’s career may be cut short, and the Bengals could watch their Super Bowl window close because they couldn’t keep their quarterback healthy.

That’d be the worst-case scenario for the Bengals. Sure, having Flacco serve as a backup is encouraging, but if Flacco sees the field regularly in 2026, then it means the Bengals or Burrow have done something wrong.

In a recent NFL promotion that saw several superstars “pass the phone” to fellow players they admired, Rams wide receiver Davante Adams singled out Burrow. “I’m passing the phone to somebody I wish I had a chance to play with,” Adams said. Joe Burrow was one of the most admired quarterbacks in the NFL.

While he had been troubled by multiple injuries throughout his six-year career in the NFL, he demonstrated all the attributes needed to be one of the game’s top quarterbacks when healthy. His performances consistently showed his ability to lead and deliver under pressure.

Why Adams wanted to play with Burrow

Burrow earned Pro Bowl status three times in his career, and he was a two time winner of the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year Award. His Pro Bowl selections came in 2022, 2024 and 2025, and the last one was earned even though he played in just eight games that season.

Burrow’s biggest achievement came in 2021 when he led the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance. While Cincinnati lost that game to the Los Angeles Rams, they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs on the road in the AFC Championship game.

The Bengals defeated Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs 27-24 in overtime in that game, and they remained the only AFC team to defeat Mahomes and the Chiefs in a postseason game.

That performance reinforced Burrow’s reputation across the league, as his leadership and composure in key moments made him one of the most respected quarterbacks in the NFL.

That said, Zac Taylor’s team becomes just another stop in Johnson’s long career in the league. How many teams has the signal-caller played for since his arrival in the NFL back in 2008?

Selected with the 160th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2008 Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the quarterback will make his third stint with the Bengals (one of them on the practice squad), having played for a total of 14 teams.

It’s also worth noting that he had stints in the XFL, where he was recognized in 2020 as the league’s passer rating leader. Experience is certainly something Josh Johnson has in abundance.

The complete list of his professional career

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2008-2011)
• San Francisco 49ers (2012)
• Sacramento Mountain Lions (2012)
• Cleveland Browns (2012)
• Cincinnati Bengals (2013)
• San Francisco 49ers (2014)
• Cincinnati Bengals (2015)
• New York Jets (2015)
• Indianapolis Colts (2015)
• Buffalo Bills (2015)
• Baltimore Ravens (2016)
• New York Giants (2016)
• Houston Texans (2017)
• Oakland Raiders (2018)
• San Diego Fleet (2018)
• Washington Redskins (2018)
• Detroit Lions (2019)
• Los Angeles Wildcats (2020)
• San Francisco 49ers (2020)
• New York Jets (2021)
• Baltimore Ravens (2021)
• Denver Broncos (2022)
• San Francisco 49ers (2022)
• Baltimore Ravens (2023)
• Washington Commanders (2025)
• Cincinnati Bengals (2026)

Bengals’ QB room for the 2026 season

Heading into the 2026 season, the Cincinnati Bengals have reshaped their quarterback room to provide better insurance for Joe Burrow, who is looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2025.

With veteran Joe Flacco now a free agent, the team officially signed journeyman Josh Johnson to a one-year deal. He will compete with Sean Clifford, who remains under contract through 2026 after joining from the Packers, to secure the primary backup role behind Burrow.

Returning to Baltimore, where he’s a hero and already won a Super Bowl ring? No. According to insider Tom Pelissero on his X account, Flacco wouldn’t mind staying in Cincinnati alongside Burrow.

“Veteran QB Joe Flacco, who will be a free agent Monday, wants an opportunity to at least compete for a starting job. But if he’s a backup, sources say, Flacco would strongly consider a return to Cincinnati, where he filled in for Joe Burrow last fall and made his first Pro Bowl,” the insider revealed.

Many NFL teams are searching for a starting QB, but the dilemma they face today is whether to bring in an experienced player or, on the other hand, opt for a young talent, either through a trade or via the draft.

Teams that could add Flacco

As we head into the 2026 offseason, several teams are searching for a bridge starter or a veteran presence to stabilize their offense. The Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets have emerged as potential landing spots for Joe Flacco, who remains a viable short-term option after his late-season resurgence.

While these franchises weigh veteran signings against a shallow draft class, the Las Vegas Raiders appear set on a different path, as they are widely expected to use the first-overall pick to select Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza as their future franchise quarterback.

Flacco’s stint in Cincinnati

After being traded to the Bengals following Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury, Joe Flacco provided an incredible veteran spark, throwing for 1,664 yards and 13 touchdowns with just 4 interceptions across nine games.

His stint was highlighted by a career-high 470-yard performance against the Bears and an efficient 91.0 passer rating, earning the 41-year-old his first-ever Pro Bowl selection.

Several major moves are unfolding across the NFL as the franchise tag deadline approaches. While some teams have already used the tag, others have made it clear which players will not receive it.

On Tuesday, Ian Rapoport reported that the Bengals will not place the franchise tag on Trey Hendrickson. Despite a challenging 2025 season, he remains one of the league’s most accomplished pass rushers and is expected to generate significant interest this offseason.

Are the Cowboys going to push for Trey Hendrickson?

Last year, following Micah Parsons’ trade to the Green Bay Packers, the Cowboys were rumored to have interest in acquiring Hendrickson. The Bengals instead signed him to a one-year deal for the 2025 season, but a new opportunity could now emerge for Dallas.

With Cincinnati seemingly prepared to move on, speculation about Jerry Jones revisiting his interest has intensified. Hendrickson is a proven edge rusher who could help reinforce a Dallas defense that took a noticeable step back after Parsons’ departure.

At 31 years old, however, Hendrickson struggled in 2025 and did not solidify his case for a long-term deal in Cincinnati. He appeared in just seven games and recorded four sacks — the lowest total of his career.

To position themselves among the teams contending at least for a postseason spot, the Bengals know they need to surround Joe Burrow as effectively as possible. Now fully recovered from his serious injury, he will once again be the primary leader of Zac Taylor’s team.

In recent statements to the press, Chase made it clear that he will do everything in his power to help his teammates, while emphasizing that the franchise already knows what it takes to be a contender.

“Yeah. I mean, everybody pretty much knows what we need,” the WR said, via Russell Heltman of SI.com. “I’ve said it out in the media. All I gotta do is sit back and watch. I can’t control that, so all I gotta do is control my production.

“I mean, at the end of the day, I’m just stating my opinion on what I think we need. So, you know, I sit back, let the organization do what they do, and I just gotta let my play do the rest.”

A strong performance that fell short

Ja’Marr Chase put together a stellar individual campaign in 2025, further cementing his status as one of the league’s premier wideouts. Throughout the season, he served as the engine of the Bengals’ offense, hauling in 125 receptions for 1,412 yards and finding the end zone 8 times.

While his consistency was evident in his 11.3 average yards per catch, these impressive numbers unfortunately weren’t enough to propel Cincinnati into the postseason.

Despite Chase’s elite production and week-to-week dominance, the team ultimately fell short of a playoff berth, leaving his standout performance as a bittersweet highlight of a missed opportunity.

The former Super Bowl champion with the Baltimore Ravens has now become one of the quarterbacks entering free agency, and he faces two intriguing options: either re-sign with the Bengals to serve as the primary backup to Burrow, or pursue new horizons in search of a starting role elsewhere.

“I think if the opportunity is good enough early on, then you say, Yes, oh, you’re gonna allow me to play. You jump on it,” Flacco said to Ross Tucker. “Maybe there are some scenarios where that’s the case. … But ultimately, that is the ultimate goal, to get an opportunity to play.

“If that doesn’t present itself, then there’s a huge advantage to waiting. I mean, you’ve seen it every year, there’s going to be opportunities, in your head, can you trust that at some point there’s going to be an opportunity?

“Because it can be nerve-wracking if you want to play football right, to sit at home and wait and wait. It can also be kind of crappy to be on a team as a number two, and opportunities start coming up, and you’re already locked in with a team.”

Some potential destinations for Joe Flacco

While there is still no certainty about what Joe Flacco’s next destination will be heading into the upcoming NFL season, reports indicate that several teams have already shown interest — including a divisional rival within the AFC North.

“The Bengals have expressed interest in re-signing quarterback Joe Flacco,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said recently. “They believe he’s a valuable backup who can be a viable starting option if Joe Burrow gets injured again. But Flacco will have options, possibly as a bridge quarterback elsewhere. The Vikings considered signing Flacco last offseason. And the Steelers will have an opening if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t re-sign there. Pittsburgh liked his free agency profile last offseason, too.”

Flacco’s latest NFL numbers

In 2025, Joe Flacco’s season was a tale of two Ohio cities. After starting the year with the Cleveland Browns, he was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 6 following Joe Burrow’s season-ending injury.

Throughout his combined 13 appearances for both teams, the veteran quarterback proved he still has plenty of gas in the tank, throwing for 2,479 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Despite recording 10 interceptions and finishing with a 41.0 QBR, his performance in relief of Burrow—highlighted by a career-high 470-yard game against Chicago—earned him the first Pro Bowl selection of his 18-year career.

The Athletic‘s Dianna Russini reported that the Bengals have no intention of trading Burrow this year. Despite the Vikings’ reported interest, Cincinnati remains committed to Burrow for the upcoming season.

The Bengals’ failure to make the playoffs and Burrow’s vocal frustration with the team’s current situation have fueled trade rumors. These factors have contributed to the speculation about his possible departure from Cincinnati.

Nonetheless, Burrow and the Bengals are set to remain together at least through the end of the current season, which is expected to conclude with Super Bowl LX between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. Both teams have already disclosed the latest injury reports for this pivotal matchup.

Burrow’s performance last season

Despite the Vikings‘ interest in Burrow, it’s important to consider the impressive statistics he posted during the regular season, albeit in just eight games played. Here are Burrow’s stats from the past regular season:

• Passing Yards: 1,809
• Passing Touchdowns: 17
• Interceptions: 5
• Completion Percentage: 66.8%
• Passer Rating: 100.7
• Rushing Yards: 41

With Russini’s report indicating Burrow’s staying put, the Vikings will need to explore other market options to enhance their roster for a potential comeback next season.