BENGALS SQUAD SHOW: Are JOE BURROW and the Bengals CONTENDERS? STATE of the BENGALS at the Bye Week

With the Bengals on a bye this week, it's a perfect time for a State of the Bengals show where we have some hard-hitting conversations about the most poignant aspects about the team and organization five games into a pivotal 2026 season.

Alex Frank, Coach Art Valero, Joe Goodberry, and FOX19 Sports Director Joe Danneman discuss what makes the Bengals contenders and the biggest concerns they have about the team.

Zac Taylor is in his eighth season as the Bengals head coach. Does he feel the pressure to get this Bengals team back to the Playoffs, and could he be on the hot seat now or later this season?

One member of the organization who doesn't get talked about as much with the continuity aspect is special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons. But with special teams making some crucial mistakes so far this season, has the conversation around him started to change?

The Bengals may have unlocked something with their running game last week in Miami. It's actually similar to what the 2024 Ohio State Buckeyes utilized in a run to the National Championship and what the 2025 Seattle Seahawks utilized in their run to the Super Bowl championship.

Photo Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images

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