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The Cincinnati Bengals received good news ahead of the 2026 NFL season

It is hard to envision an offseason that could have left Cincinnati Bengals fans with a more optimistic feeling heading into the 2026 season.

The team has completely revamped its defense, after the unit allowed the third-most points in the NFL last season. Despite losing All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to the division rival Baltimore Ravens, the Bengals agreed to contracts worth a combined $125 million by signing Boye Mafe, Jonathan Allen and Bryan Cook.

Additionally, the team pulled off a blockbuster trade as they acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick. Now, with most of the major events of the offseason having concluded, the Bengals received another piece of positive news

Cincinnati Bengals Face Third-Easiest Schedule in 2026

The good news for the Cincinnati Bengals is they have the third-easiest schedule in the NFL, according to Warren Sharp. Out of the five teams with the easiest schedules, only the Detroit Lions have a higher projected win total from Las Vegas oddsmakers.

Unlike most strength of schedule rankings, which are typically based on the previous season’s results, Sharp’s rankings are based on Las Vegas projected win totals. Sharp argued and presented evidence that his method tends to be more reflective of the actual strength of schedule as it takes into consideration offseason moves.

Regarding the strength of schedule, Chris Roling wrote for Bengals Wire:

“Far too many changes for 32 teams over the course of an offseason to let last year’s results reliably predict the future. Projected win totals, on the other hand, attempt to take into account those offseason changes. There’s a reason Las Vegas does those, folks.

The Bengals play host to teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans next year, plus visit rebuilding teams like the Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins. The AFC North outside of Baltimore appears vulnerable, too. 

According to at least one metric, that outlook crafts one of the best possible schedules for the Bengals.”

Bengals Draft Class

Aside from adding the previously mentioned free agents along with Lawrence, the team also added talent via the 2026 NFL Draft. They managed to find good value with their first selection as they drafted Cashius Howell, who was the No. 28 ranked prospect by NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, with the No. 41 pick.

Regarding Howell, Jeremiah wrote:

“Howell is an undersized edge rusher with outstanding twitch, tenacity and production. He lacks ideal length, but it didn’t cause him problems in the games I studied. As a pass rusher, he wins in a variety of ways. He can win early with speed, rush with power or use his instincts to counter when OTs overset outside. He plays with a nice blend of violence and awareness. Against the run, he can roll his hips and utilize leverage to set the edge. He has the burst to knife through to make plays behind the line of scrimmage and he chases with outstanding effort on the back side. I know he lacks prototypical measurements, but a smart team will set that aside and add an energetic force off the edge.”