Former player puts pressure on Bengals with easy 2026 schedule

Burrow, who is entering his seventh NFL season, specifically referred to the 2019 LSU team that went 15-0 and won the national championship as a way to show how confident he is in the current Bengals squad.

Burrow threw an astounding 60 TD passes that season and that success quickly translated over to the NFL, leading the Bengals to the Super Bowl in just his second season. His best season, statistically, came in 2024 when he set career-highs in completion percentage (70.6%) and TDs (43). 

However, that success was not enough to overcome a defense that gave up at least 30 points six times and did not hold up its end of the bargain. Last season, Burrow only appeared in eight games due to a turf toe and ligament injury, the latest in a long line of setbacks the QB has experienced.

Alongside Burrow, the Bengals still have the stout wide receiver tandem of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. They also addressed the defensive issues by bringing in edge-rusher Boye Mafe, defensive backs Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II after losing All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson to the Baltimore Ravens.

ESPN Analytics gives the Bengals the third-easiest strength of schedule in the NFL going into the 2026 season. Foxworth believes that will play a huge role for them, much like it did for the New England Patriots in 2025.

“I do think the strength of schedule matters. I know it played a big role for the Patriots last year, and they made it to the Super Bowl, in part because they were in good position because of that strength of schedule.”

Despite the struggles, the Bengals did not make any significant changes, keeping head coach Zac Taylor and director of player personnel/de facto general manager Duke Tobin around for another season. Furthermore, Taylor will be the only returning HC in the AFC North, so the opportunity is in front of the Bengals to make a statement and take advantage of their favorable schedule.

Sure, the schedule is based off last season’s results, so there is no immediate guarantee that their success will entirely be determined by that. With that said, the Bengals certainly have a path to bounce back in front of them, and if their results do not improve on the field, a lot of change could be in store.