Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - BENGALS SQUAD SHOW: Joe Burrow SQUASHES any false narratives about him as 53-man roster is SET

Episode Date: September 5, 2026

Joe Burrow is featured in an interview with Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, and his comments are great indicators he's here to stay in Cincinnati for a long time, especially with how talented the 53-man roster is this season.Alex Frank, Coach Art Valero, Mike Santagana, and Evan Stacy break down Burrow's comments and the Bengals' 53-man roster with key elements and surprises.One surprise, for sure, is the Bengals only having four linebackers. So, how do we feel about Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight as we head into the start of the regular season?In addition, the Bengals and cornerback DJ Turner have still not come to a contract extension. How concerned should we be about that and other key players who could have already been extended this offseason?Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesJoin the Locked On Bengals Insider Community! Where you'll get updates directly to your phone and be able to text the hosts, check it out at: https://joinsubtext.com/lockedonbengalsEverydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everyday...Find and follow Locked On Bengals on your favorite podcast platforms:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7AObc0l...Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/locked-...Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!PrizePicks Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LO... and use code LOCKEDONNFL and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup!KALSHIFor a limited time,Download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get $10 when you trade $10.GametimeToday's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase.FanDuelCollege football Saturdays are already packed with reasons to get excited, and this season, FanDuel is giving fans even more ways to get in on every matchup. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COMFANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Joe Burrough squashed any false narratives this week with some direct comments. And with this 53-man roster coach, I think he's pretty happy right now. I'll catch back in a minute. Mike, you think Joe Burrow with his direct comments, he's pretty happy about this 53-man roster, I think. Yeah, I'd say so. I think he definitely seems happier than he did the last couple of years. DJ Turner and the Bengals are reportedly not close on an extension. And should that raise some red flags, there's also some other talented players like Daxville and Chase Brown.

also need new contracts. We'll update you those. We'll update you on where those stand. Plus, the state of the linebackers. Today, it's the Bengals Squad. Everything Cincinnati Bengals every week. Breaking down all the big hits and game-changing plays from the Queen City, the way only the locked on podcast network can. From the jungle to the playoffs, the Bengals Squad Show starts now. Appreciate you all hanging out with us tonight, Friday night, September 4, 2026. Labor Day weekend. Hope you all had a great week and are ready for a very fun weekend with

Coach Art Valero, Mike's antagona, Evan Stacey. I'm Alex Frank. Welcome in you to the Bengals Squash. We got a great show coming up for you tonight. The 53 man roster is set. Gentlemen, this is our first show since the 53 man roster was set on Sunday at 6 p.m. had a great post game show last Saturday. So great to have you all back. Coach, I'll start with you since your camera kind of went out there in cold open, totally okay. 53 man roster, what surprised you the most? Wow. That probably the biggest thing that hit me in the face was that they kept four linebackers and five tight ends. And to me, it doesn't, the numbers don't add unless they, the tight ends are more valuable or have more value on special teams.

And because they don't have enough. and usually tight-end bodies and linebacker bodies and safety bodies are the ones that the special teams coach really needs in order to perform at the highest level. No question about that. We'll get to Mike and Evan here about their thoughts on the roster, but I want to tell you that today's episode of the Bengals Squat Show tonight's episode, rather brought to you by CalShe for a limited time, download the Calci app and use code locked on to get $10 when you trade $10. Mike, Evan, the linebackers, I think clearly one of the, if not the biggest surprise, but was there anything else that stood out to you two when you looked at the initial

53-man roster? Yeah, linebackers definitely stood out. Otherwise, when we talked about this, I guess we didn't really talk about some of the cuts. I brought up Charlie Jones coming in the third quarter, big red flag, and then he got cut. I'm not sure how many other surprise cuts. there were so much. Like McKinley Jackson got cut, but I think we all kind of thought that was happening. So those kind of surprised me, but I think the four linebackers is something to think about because like coach was saying with the special teams, I also think this indicates pretty

fully that they have transitioned into being an odd front, you know, three, four, five, two type base. They're only going to play two off ball linebackers, whether that's base or in nickel. Last year, to start the year, they tried to be an even front four, three. team and it felt like somewhere throughout the year they kind of switched it and I think showing that you're not even going to keep five linebackers that says to me you're going to be playing two linebackers in pretty much every situation not that they don't trust their third guy but I think it might be a special cases scenario but for the most part I would think if you're going to have three linebackers in your base defense you would have five linebackers on the team for

injury. Yeah, my biggest surprise was the wide receivers. I expected Charlie Jones to not make the team. But Mitch Tinsley, I thought, was kind of surprising. It's based of what he did last year. And coming into the games that he did last year, I thought he made a lot of good plays. And he wasn't really the greatest in preseasonal with Dante Myers.

I think that I think Dante Myers kind of pushed him out. But Kishon Williams was making it. I know Alex, you liked him. And I thought it was interesting to hear that the reason they picked him over Charlie Jones was because of his ability as a result. They felt he was a more dynamic receiver and can do decent as a kick returner as well. So I thought, you know, that just came down to the wide receiver's room is one of the most talented on the offense and they had to make some tough cuts.

Tinsley and Jones were the ones left out. But the linebackers, I definitely think is the biggest one, just keeping four and a group that was one of the worst last year when the keeping four is a bit interesting. But overall, I think the 53 man looks pretty good. I think Joe Barrow has to be very happy. This is probably the strongest 53-man roster he's had because if you remember 2021, the year that Bengals went to the Super Bowl, their offensive line is not very good. This year, their offensive line, their starting vibe is really good. They've added some guys since to their practice squad, Miles Hinton from the Eagles, Blake Freeland.

So you definitely like what they have on their roster. But again, coaches, you mentioned the linebackers, Mike, you mentioned it. And then Charlie Jones. I mean, what I think that told me was that players who've been here for a few years, even if they had, they weren't. necessarily safe because there's so much depth at a lot of positions. And I think that is what makes this a really strong and 53-man roster overall. Yeah. You know, I think it does.

And I think the other thing that it is a very deep crew. And, you know, for the most part, DeVine has got great depth. And there's some great possible trades in there down the road because they did keep so many guys. I mean, they only cut one? That's crazy to me. So, yeah, they've got, I think it could be very, very good. Any of you surprised that, sorry to interrupt you, any of you surprised that Chris Jenkins has still made the 53 bad roster? No. You know, sorry, Mike, I get a goal. You're fine. I just, no, I think Chris Jenkins kind of gets a little bit of a bad rap. Like, he's not a terrible player. He's fine.

He's a solid role player. He defends the run okay. You need those guys. I think he defends the run a lot better than Landon Robinson, and it turns into a situation where now Chris Jenkins can be their own first down, and if they get them into second and long, you get them out of there and you bring Landon in whenever you're in that situation. I think most of the time it would probably be John Allen and BJ Hill has taken up that role.

So to me, no, Chris Jenkins wasn't that big of a surprise, but I do think he is not beloved on Bengals' Twitter, at least where I see. So I think there are people that are surprised. He's fine. He's like a replacement-level defensive tackle, and that is better than what they had in the past in his spot, DT-5 or whatever you want to call it, where I'm thinking like Zach Carter and these guys in the past

that would be getting blown seven yards off the ball. No, I'm cool. Chris Jake is in that spot. Coach would have had a field day talking about Zach Carter on this show. his his i'm sorry to say this but his career highlight with the bangles was the funniest play where he got panicked and as he was getting up he at he stripped the ball carrier for a key fumble but he did it from the ground because he just got driven five or six yards and thrown on the ground wow what game was that i'm trying to remember that might have been the steelers game it was a few years ago it's been a few years

so my memories get a little hazy on it but i do remember that being his career highlight to me And I was like, like, wow, fitting. Zach Carter. Wow, have the defensive tackles changed. And again, with Chris Jenkins, when you have Jonathan Allen and Dexter Lawrence in front of you and even BJ Hill, Chris Jenkins Jr. is your DT5. He can thrive in that role. And that shows you how much depth that there is on this, on this roster overall. Yeah.

I mean, you feel, yeah, you feel comfortable with him as your DT5 and not your DT3 or four. like it has been in past, like Mike said. I do think he definitely deserved to make the roster. I think, you know, preseason week one, he made a lot of plays and really splash thin. And I think, yeah, he brings a lot to the run game. And, you know, coming into his last year, you know, if it doesn't work out, then, you know, he's off the books and you restart. But I think with how deep this detackle room is, I think he, I think he deserved it.

And I think he could definitely be a big rotational piece. Shamar Stewart, we're not on injured reserve. That's a really positive development. I think in terms of your edge rush depth. And again, when you talk about guys like Stewart and Jenkins, if they are not in starting rules, because clearly they weren't ready for it. Now that's also because there was a lack of leadership and veterans on the defensive line last year in 24.

But now that you have Boya Mafia on there, you have Miles Murphy. Like, there is just so much ironing, sharpen and iron within positions on this team. So I think that because you have other guys who've been there before, teaching the young guys like Stuart and Jenkins, there's just going to be so much more buttoned up in functionality on the entire defensive line this year. Oh, absolutely. I think that one thing with Samar Stewart,

them not putting him on IR or putting him on Pup or whatever they did. They're thinking he's pretty close. You know, and other than the practice time, he's missed. He hadn't missed any game reps. I mean, the other guys have got 12, you know, so what's 12 reps in a game? So, you know what? He's got to catch back up to speed, probably be ready and turn loose in week two. Were any of you surprised about what happened with Tanner Hudson? I was a little surprised that, but I think he's the guy that's been on the team long enough that you can do the Stanley Morgan Jr. deal with. You say, we're going to waive you

to do some roster shenanigans, putting you on the practice squad, and just trusting that they'll be able to bring him back eventually or call them up for game days or whatever might happen. It's a good time to go over the 16-man practice squad for the Bengals. Ken Trow Bullock, Sean Clifford, glad they brought him back. Howard Cross the third. Isaiah Foskey, really happy they brought him back. Joe Giles Harris, Shaka Hayward, Raylan Lux, glad he's on the practice squad.

Kendall Milton, Jordan Moore, Noah, Thomas, what a really good preseason. Russ East who had the pick against Detroit to end that game. Garmin Randolph, Blake Freeland, who was a mid-round target a few years ago for the Bengals, Tricweezy Bridges, and then Josh Johnson's so happy they brought him back, and then finally Tanner Hudson. So, I mean, I don't want to spend too much time on this, but it feels like this practice squad is the best on paper.

It's been in, I can't tell you how long. Hey, well, you know what? There goes again. I mean, now they're keeping, they've got six. Every tight end, except for the fullback slash tight end that they let go earlier. That's an awful lot of tight ends to be in 12 personnel all the time. I mean, that's, that, that is an awful lot of people in one room. And it's probably so rare to the tight end coach that he doesn't have three and one on the practice squad.

he probably doesn't know how to they probably had to move him into a bigger meeting room. Evan, you've been vocal about the tight end depth that this team has. What were your reactions to Tanner Hudson and the news on Sunday and Monday? I was a little shocked because I, you know, I expected them to keep five, and I guess they technically did, but then it got cut down to four. But I was happy that Tanner Hudson was brought back. I think he definitely can help this tight-in room. You know, he's been there for a while and has.

He has the chemistry with Joe Burrow, and he's made a handful of big plays. He had that nice touchdown in preseason. And I think, you know, whether his role is on special teams or as, you know, another receiving tight end, I think it's going to be big. Because, you know, we have, Eric All is the guy that everyone's been talking about who's going to have a great season. But, you know, he's injury prone. So you never know, you don't know how he's going to come on how much he's going to be on the field. So you feel a lot better if he misses time, bringing Tanner Hudson right up there with Jack injuries behind him.

So I was happy that they were able to keep him. And they added an offensive tackle onto that swing tackle depth, which so I think overall they played their cards right. And it worked out pretty well for him. Coach, you may remember this name, Chris Hinton, is Miles Hinton to the Bengals sign, his father. What do you remember about Chris Hinton when he played? Great player.

Northwestern, Chris Hinton was, was a stallion left tackle. Not about that. And actually, oh, man, I tell you what, I think he was there the early part of Peyton's years and protected Peyton's blindside. Very good player. Excellent player.

Very durable player, too, and played a long time in the NFL. So Josh Newton made the 53-man roster. We talked about him a little bit on Saturday, our post-game show. We surprised, did we expect him to still make it? because I do think he did come on stronger in the second half of training camp in the preseason. You know what? A lot of times those guys need to be woke up. They need to be where all of a sudden there are whispers in the building that,

hey, you know what, you got two games. You better show who you are or they're going to believe who you're not. And I think that those last two games, he kind of started playing. And you always have, the one thing about the National Football League is you would always need to be on the cutting edge. And that knife always needs to be sharp. And if it ever gets dull like a butter knife, you're gone. And I think that a lot of people pat themselves on the back for making it. And they start to believe it that they're pretty good when they're still not a sharder.

And you know what? Hey, somebody's chasing you, always. And they're always going to find. somebody to replace you. And so he finally woke up and I think it's great that he made it. Now, maintain it. Clearly you spent some time with her and MedWords. Mike, Gavin, what are your thoughts?

I think good for him. He had a struggle of a game two in the preseason, but game three was pretty good. He had a highlight pass breakup. I think he had some issues. It looked like in practice, but I'm not at practice, so I don't know. I just see some clips once in a while. It's like, yeah, Josh got dunked on a little bit.

These wide receivers are really good. I don't really care that much. So good for him making it. I thought he did have a good third preseason game. I was, I think I was leaning towards him not making the team. So it was a tiny bit surprised, but I wasn't, it was more of a 50-50 call in my head. Good for him that he made it and hopefully he can make an impact. It's probably going to have to come on special teams because it seems like he's probably

a little lower on the pecking order than he has been the past couple of years now that they have to Cario Davis. Yeah, he was out. of his first season. Yeah, it was a little surprised. I'm interested to see once Jaseer Taylor comes off IR if he sticks, if Newton sticks up there on the 53. But good for him. Like Mike said, I think, you know, he had up and down camp, but, you know,

he finished stronger. And I think he can make a difference on special team, but he's like the, what, corner six. So I think with the upgrades with Ticario Davis and everything, I think it'll be tough for him to find a little. a lot of playing time, at least as a corner, but make sure to see if he sticks once I just hear Taylor comes back. One final point.

And Evan, I'm going to go back to something you said earlier about Mitchell Tinsley. I am sad that he didn't make the team because he was so good last year in the preseason. He had his moments in the regular season, and he was really good this preseason. Unfortunately, this just goes to show that when you have the depth of wide receiver that the fangles have, unfortunately,

someone is just the odd man out. And coach, to your point about everyone's replaceable, Dante Myers, look what he did. He kept the knife sharp, not that Mitchell Tinsley didn't. And you know what?

He got remorted for it. This is life in the NFL. That it is. You know what? And just the overall 53 man roster? That's great. The ball has not been kicked off yet. So at the end of the year, let's see how many of those 53 remain.

You know, whether it be by injury, trade, just sat down, whatever, cut. You never know. To start the 53, you know you're going to get in a crude year as a player when that foot hits the ball. But then you've got to play more games in order to keep going. No question about that. We'll see who's still on the 53 come, let's say, November, December, January, and more importantly, what the steady of the linebackers will be by them. Because we're going to take a look at that as it stands, nine days from kickoff.

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I mean, Aaron Andrews said it best earlier this week. It feels like Christmas. I mean, it feels like Christmas having football back, even college football back. NFL football starting in five days. NFL kickoff Patriots Seahawks in Seattle. Let's talk about the Bengals linebackers because, I mean, they've been a proverbial topic of conversation all offseason.

I'll be honest. I'm going to lay it out for you. Let's go. Two maligned starters back. Second year players with limited amount of preseason reps, live reps, live, tackle to the ground. the first first game

preseason game one of them had one tackle and was in for almost 50% of the snaps the other one had none second game

was a no show they didn't play the third game they didn't play how are they going to get how are they going to get their feet on the ground in a

what looks appears to be be a new system of football in which you're going to play. On base downs, they're playing an odd look, which is basically when you get those two four eyes, they're actually three techniques that it looks like jam or bear. Okay. Then they're also in the nickel situations of the two inside linebackers, much like they were last year. Last year they had issues with two backs in the backfield. they didn't see any well they saw a little bit in against Detroit um those guys need to be seasoned they need to be seasoned and you only kept four so you know that whether it's in base downs

and they're in our odd look or they're in nickel which the four two look those other two are guaranteed special teams players and they're going to have to have to have to be a little bit of to play special teams as well. I mean, you want your best players on the field. So I don't know if four can hold up and you have all those tight ends and safeties in the box. I mean, it, I don't know. And I don't wish any ill will upon them. But you, I would have thought when you're building a team that you would have wanted more, more linebackers. You can never have enough linebackers. They got enough defensive linemen that they're making linebackers. And that's when you don't need a lot. You know, guy on a tight end, guy standing up,

boy, you can, there are a lot of people, I believe, are going to line up in two tight ends, neutralize those guys, and let's go. And line up in two tight ends, and like the Bengals have done, open that formation up and make one of them walk and see how he does in space. and I think that is going to be crucial to the Bengals defense. Because you've got to remember, those guys on other teams, they have filmed. And once you let the cat out of the bag, oh, everybody now knows how to attack you. Yeah, I think what you're bringing up is a good point. To me, it's like you're looking at a house.

I think so. So let's just keep rolling. So if you're building out like, think of like a jenga. type of thing. I think the defensive line is probably like a good three janga blocks and three janga blocks. And then the linebacker unit is just one single piece in the middle. And then your safeties and your corners, you got like two or three janga blocks there, two or three here.

You're like, how does this fall apart? I feel like it's a little bit crazy pills of just like, yeah, we're just going to run those same linebackers out there. The Bengals has such a good job. This free agency of building up their depth in certain places, recognizing their weaknesses and trying to get better there. And I just feel like the linebacker unit just seems like to most people probably looking at this team like, yeah, that's how it falls apart. It's the one you didn't do anything to bolster.

You got worse in depth and they're the same players. You're just hoping that playing behind Dexter Lawrence and in front of Brian Cook gives them enough of a lift that they are now at least, I don't know, a league average unit, maybe below that, but just like at least an NFL caliber unit. And I'm not, I'm not sure. I feel like that's the one part of this equation that's like, how much does Dexter Lawrence help you? It certainly helps. I'm not saying it doesn't help. He should help. And how much does Brian Cook behind you said, you know, Stone help you?

That should certainly help. Again, that will make them better. But does it take you from worst in the league to, say, bottom third, but like passable? Does it take you from worse to passable? Because I think it's kind of like what the Bengals tried to do that one year, after 2021, the Super Bowl, they tried to become a passable offensive line, but they made moves to do that. And this felt like they saw that weakness

and they just did nothing for it. I was even hoping for the late signed Bobby O'Kericke. And I know he's washed, and I'm just thinking, man, just get a vet in there. Just get a vet in there that I know can play at that, like, kind of replacement level, not good, but replacement level starter. What do you think, Evan?

What do you think on these linebackers? I couldn't agree with you more. I think, you know, the biggest glaring hole on this defense is the linebackers. It was the glaring hole last year. And so going into free agency, everyone was like, all right, fix the linebackers. And give credit to the front office, they did a phenomenal job in fixing the defense. And I know you can't fix everything. But I was a little kind of like, we're just going to run it back.

Like, that's the plan we're doing. I mean, these two guys were, I think, BFF created them like two of the worst linebackers in the NFL. There was the Sunday night football where it was 75 out of 76. Yeah. Oh, well, it can't get worse. I know. I know. So it's like those are the two guys you're running back and you're banking on them having a big year too.

And so that's certainly a plan. And I hope it works for the sake of the defense. And I do think, like you said, the defensive line being upgraded will in theory help the linebackers. I think Dexter Lawrence, you know, getting pressure and swallowing up double teams will open blitz lanes and will help overall the linebackers. But when I watched some of the film last year, my biggest complaint with the linebackers is just like the pursuit angles and the tackling was just horrible. And for linebackers, when you, that's, that's your job is to tackle

guys that break through the line and they just couldn't do it. And I think, you know, like coach mentioned earlier, with them only having those limited reps in the preseason, And, you know, the tackling could be shaky as the season gets going. And so I am a little worried. I think, you know, them banking on Carter and Knight is definitely a gamble. And I hope that they have a big year. I've heard pretty good things about them in camp. And, you know, Swayze Bozeman and Orrin Berks don't really move me as behind.

So, Mike, I agree with you. I would have been totally fine if you signed some veteran, even if, you know, we're not expecting them to be, you know, an all pro linebacker or anything. But just somebody who, if one of these guys get hurt, God forbid, they can come in. And I feel like, okay, he's played a handful and he's, you know, can do decent. But I think right now it's definitely a question mark. And I think banking on Carter and night having a big year two is definitely an interesting plan. And we'll see if it works.

Well, you know what? There's 17 games. And even if you got a spot player, you know, could be a situational player. And that would have really kind of enhanced that room. but they were fine with staying status quo. And I don't know if you can be status quo. Yeah, the big guys up front are going to help them. They all do.

But you know what? The big guys up front did not make Ray Lewis who Ray Lewis was. You know what? The big guys up front did not make Dexter Brooks, or me Dexter Brooks, Derek Brooks, who he was. Great linebackers make plays. damn near every play. And when your safeties are the leading tacklers on the team and in the preseason, what are you gearing your guys off of making plays, bringing guys on the box all the time? No, that doesn't work. That does not work. We'll say. And I didn't know you heard my diatribe before,

before I got cut off. But, you know what? I mean, it's, I just, from a football standpoint, I'm going, I shake my head every day. First off, first off, let's get, go ahead, Mike, sorry. I was just to say, respected that he also did get to play behind Tony Siragusa, rest of peace, and Holodynata at nose tag. And it didn't, they certainly didn't make him. I agree with him. I was like, ah.

And Terrell's son. Don't forget Terrell's thugs. Suggs on the edge. I was thinking just the big boy in the middle because I'm thinking, like, if that's the, if that's your idea is Dexter Lauren. is your Tony Siragusa. Maybe that can take these guys, maybe not to Ray Lewis, but I don't know. I ask you this.

The same guy that coached those guys, coach the Bengals. So I'd like to ask him what he thinks of the parents was. Marvin Lewis. There you go, coach. First off, bravo to everyone who pushed through whatever the cutoff was there on the show. I find this hotel in Greenville, South Carolina for me, not great right now. I'm on a hot spot. So hopefully it holds up for the next 30 minutes and counting.

But bravo to everybody who picked me up. I was still talking in case people saw me. So bravo, everybody. Show must go on. And I think, you know what? We can relate that to the Bengals linebackers because and Coach, you bring up a great point there because Ray Lewis is Ray Lewis. He's one of one.

We know that. Derek Brooks, one of one. Hall of Famers, both of them, Brooks and Lewis. But at the end of the day, I think what's interesting with Carter and is they had a lot of issues around them last year. And yet they just kept going to work, putting their nose to the grindstone, getting better. The defense didn't improve in the second half of last year. There's no denying that.

So I think that's where you have to give them some props. It's like they were not in a very fertile situation last year. A lot of distractions, a lot of just, you know, bad voodoo within the Bengals defense. And it's so much better this year. And Dan Hore, who was on first word with James Rapine on Monday morning, talked about how he thinks that Carter and Knight are going to be improved. And here's the thing. We're not asking them to be Ray Lewis or Derek Brooks.

But can they be like just somebody you don't notice? And what I mean by that is they're not a liability. We noticed them last year because of they were a liability. But if you don't notice them this year, I think that in that sense is a good thing. You turn them into Henry 202 and Alex Anzolone back there. I'll take it. That's the goal, I think, right? Yeah, I'll take it.

Wow. That's asking a little. But coach, the bar is so low. Look, coach, I know your old school and I love that. That is true. But like, you got to know that what those guys walked into was not a great situation. Oh, no, no, no. That was, you know, yeah.

And for that takes us to our last segment that, you know what, this Joe's team, man, he put together this group. Because he knew, he knew last year going in, they weren't good enough. He did. He did. And I think he knew in 24 as well. Evan, final thoughts? I mean, you know, it's bad when majority of the people that the Bengals let go on defense. this off season didn't make a 53-man roster this past weekend.

That just shows you how bad the defense was last year. And so hopefully Knight and Carter improved, like you said, Alex, they were kind of coming on towards the end of last season, and we'll see if they can get it going because I think if they can, then this defense is going to be really good. But right now, they're my biggest question mark for sure. Oh, yeah. You know, too, is those guys that are gone,

how many of them found a landing spot? I don't know if any of them have. No, that shows you who you were playing with. Gino. It's not like other teams who have come searching to trade. With those guys. So they know Sto did make it to the bills practice squad. Congratulations.

He did. He got cut from the bill. He got beat out by the man. So did Gino Stone. He got cut. Yeah. What were we wrong about Gino Stone as a free agent signing? Because in the moment when the bank.

single signed him, I was ecstatic. Seven picks the year prior? Well, Kyle Hamilton clearly made him who he was. Let's just hope the Bengals linebackers are better than the Wi-Fi here in the last segment for me, at least. I think they will. Up next, though, we've got some major news to get to DJ Turner, Dax Hill, Chase Brown, where they all stand when it comes to potential contract extensions before the start of the regular season. Brought to you tonight on the Bengals squad show by Cal She. Before the season even kicks off, everyone's making predictions. Believe me, I already have mine. Who wins the division? Who makes the playoffs? Who's lifting the Lombardy trophy at season's end? Well, on Cal She, which is America's number one prediction

market platform, you can trade those predictions in a live market. So, will the Cincinnati Bengals win the AFC North this season? I think they will. I'm not biased when I say that. I don't think. So the Bengals are currently trading at 34% to win the AFC North on Cali. So if you put $100, meaning a $100 trade, you could get a maximum payout of $281.11 if they take home the AFC North title, and they very well can. On Cal She, you're trading against peers in a live market, meaning there's no house. And as the probability changes, you can buy in and out of your position. Trade the traffic, the game, and more on Cal Shee. Download the Cal Sheet app and use code locked on. Got $10 when you trade $10. K-A-L-S-H-I-C-E-C-E-S-H-E-C-E.

trade on anything. 18 plus only restrictions and eligibility requirements apply event contract. Trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Cali products are not available in all jurisdictions, prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information, see calshy.com slash regulatory. Never in my wildest dreams. I think I was going to have to read fine print copy of an advertisement, but I've gotten pretty good at it and I'm happy about that. Welcome back to the Bengals Squad Show, Coach Archer, Valero, Evan, Stacey, Mike Santagana, Alex Frank, with you here on this Friday night, September 4th, college football on tonight, college football all day tomorrow.

We got NFL football to get to. And whoa, do we have some news to get to when it comes to the Bengals contract extensions? DJ Turner, Dax Hill, Chase Brown. Haven't heard really much of anything throughout training camp, which could be not necessarily a bad thing, but like, I don't know if any of the deals are going to get done before the start of the season. Where do you guys stand? Well, you know what? You never know what's going on behind the scenes.

but the one thing is is not to even have a little leakage because or the question asked by the media of where are we with these people or where are you and to try to really dig into are you negotiation, are your people

talking to their people? What's going on? Because you know as the players go that's somebody else's job. Their job right now as they look out of this season is to play. And if it's to play to earn their worth, that's what they're going to do. But you would think that there's at least a little conversation going on back and forth.

Because that at this point in time, that's the only job that management and personnel have is to make sure that those get done. And because they're, you know, the teams to get the staff, coaching staff's responsibility is to get them ready. the player's responsibility is to be ready and to get healthy. And you know what? The front office, you were out there every day. You saw him working hard during camp. Do they meet your expectations to get a deal done? Now, with the exception of Dax, because he's been injured,

the other two certainly have. The other two were there every day. So I don't know. We'll find out. To me, none of these guys are getting paid. DJ Turner seems like he's going to cost a lot of money, so the Bengals want more of a second prove it type year. That's just how they operate.

It feels like with these defensive backs thinking, I mean, they saved themselves, but back to William Jackson, I think they were like, he had a good rookie year, but you haven't really seen anything since. Jesse Bays did keep having good years, and they just didn't really care that much. But, yeah, I think they're waiting for the second great year

because he was objectively, I think, a great corner last season. But before that, he was an okay corner the year before and a pretty bad rookie. So linear growth, but we want to make sure that you are the good corner that we are going to have to pay you, whatever, $25 million a year. Dax Hill, I don't think they'll pay because they're probably waiting to see what happens with D.J. He's cheaper than D.J. But if you had to pick one after last year, you'd pick D.J. between those two. And if you pay Dax, it may go in their head as like, well, we don't want to put too much money into the cornerback position. So we're going to let DJ walk no matter how good he is.

I think that's just kind of a wait and see from DJ Turner for both those corners. And then Chase Brown, I don't think they're paying because he's a running back. At least not right now. They're very worried about, you know, how you can construct a team around Joe Burrow. And a lot of the analytics right now are trying to tell you that running backs as they get older, they're less valuable. And even when they are younger, they don't have as much value as their contract says. So I'm not saying that is my opinion, but I'm telling you that's probably what the Bengals opinion on Chase Brown is.

Yeah, I think it's looking like there's not going to be any deals done, at least before week one now. Could that change? I mean, the Bengals in the past have waited until literally the last second to get deals done. I mean, Joe Burrough signed the Saturday before week one. He signed his deal, and Jamar Chase was working on his deal before as well. But yeah, I think it's just the Bengals are looking at DJ Turner especially, like we want to see one more good year out of you. You're going to be with how many corners have signed big deals this year.

His price tag's gone up. So yeah, he'll be around $25 million. And I think they're looking at is he going to be worth it? And so I think another interesting thing with him and Dax is they both share the same agent. So they're going to be, you know, I don't know if that means that they're a tandem deal or what's going to go on. But I do think that that comes into effect because both of them, you know, we're good. last season. And I think if they can improve again and have another good season, I think that would be good. And Jamar Chase even said that DJ Turner has been the most improved defensive

player, this training camp. So high praise from him. So I think DJ's in for a big season. And I would love for him to stay on the team. But I do see why they're not going for it right now just because it's price tag. Now, I think they could just franchise tag him. I think it's around $21 million is the franchise tag. I think they could go that route potentially. But It is a little annoying, I guess, that they haven't got these deals done just because, you know, I would just like to have them locked up if they're, if they think that they're going to be good players. But I think DJ probably will get a deal just not right now because I do expect him to have a good year. And Chase Brown, I think he's just a running back.

It comes down to that. I think he's, again, in for another big deal. And with running backs, the deals that the running backs have gotten this past off season, his price has also gone up. So I think they're just kind of in a wait and see in all three of these guys, like Mike said. They're just saying, prove it one more year that you're a good player and one of the best players in your position on the team. And then we'll talk in the office. And the only thing I would add to that is every day you wait is a higher price tag, which you were kind of saying, especially with DJ Turner. I feel like Corner was actually kind of suppressed on the market before this year.

Now you got guys signing for $30 plus million a year. If DJ Turner balls out again, he's going to be asking for $30 plus million, not $25. And Tom Pellisero, who was on the Rich Eisen Show that earlier this afternoon, said that from his reporting that the Patriots, the New England Patriots of Robert Christian Gonzalez, a deal that would make him the highest paid corner in the NFL. All right. Well, the clock is ticking. Every day you don't sign him, the price tag goes up. And let's say DJ Turner does have another elite season. Are you going to be able to pay him?

Now, if you can, great. Now, I think the other scenario that's really interesting, and I conjured up in my head, Evan, as you were saying, what you think, is maybe you do. Maybe there is a scenario where there's a tandem deal with Hill and Turner, because they both share the same agent very similar to, not very similar, identical to Jamar and T when they both sign with their same agent. So there definitely are a lot of scenarios that could play out. You know, does a deal get done?

It's interesting with Chase Brown because you see what he can do. But if you're not going to pay him, you better have a plan of running back. Because coach, a great quarterback's best friend is a guy that he can hand the ball off to. So note to me, I'll be looking at 2027 running back prospects come whenever the Bengals are either hoisted the Lombardi trophy in February or the alternative in January or February. Absolutely. You know what? The crazy thing about it is the running back market this off season. They didn't pay them that much, really.

I mean, the guaranteed money, yeah, sure. But the seasonal, I mean, Majoron Robinson, what do you make? $6 million a year? I mean, really? That's not large. Yeah. 25. 25, yeah.

So, you know what? I mean, keep going. But it's all, got to remember. all of those things are structured to where they say three years 75 the first year you get six the second year you get 30 and then they cut you loose i mean that's the way negotiations and the way the teams work it's really not i mean the number sounds great it's how much guaranteed money that you walk away with that's that's the crucial thing and all three of those guys are going to have to pay and if not because of much like Trey Hendrickson, the disdain that is gained, they will be gone. I just don't want to repeat of that or repeat of what happened with Jesse Bates. If you have an elite defensive back, lock him up, just like he locks down on the field. Yeah, I looked it up because coach is talking about Bijon.

I don't think Chase Brown even thinks he's Bijon, maybe. No. But I did look up Travis E. Chen, Jr. believe it's what he calls himself is what he said his name is actually pronounced not ETN but uh signed with the saints four years 48 million i think that's probably what you're looking at it for chase brown right those they seem fairly similar as players i think that was mixin's exact contract extension yeah and so the thing with the running back is that are we now too far the other direction is what i would ask analytics if i had an analytics department it's like did we push too far the other way like running

back to make less than, like by far, less than every other position now. Like I understand they're not as valuable as, you know, maybe teams thought they were in 2005. But as you go too far the other way where now they make the same amount of money as like back, almost backup offensive tackle money for like a travisy Chen. So that's right. You know what? And there was, Mike's right. There was, got to remember a couple years ago, hey,

Everybody in the league thought that they were dime a dozen. You know, and I would say as a roommate coach, hey, here's a dime. Go find yourself a dozen. Like Mike Zimmer said, I could find a cover two corner at a 7-Eleven. I think NFL teams thought we could find a running back at our local 7-Eleven. Yeah. Listen, you know, running backs, yes. And I, that precept of another, today I was listening to Mike Golick Jr.,

my Golic Senior on ESPN Radio. They had on Jerome Bettis. Coach, I'm sure you remember Jerome Bettis from your coaching. days. Okay, running backs aren't what they were 20 years ago. Like running backs 20 years ago were mountains of men. I mean, they were bulldozers. Bettis, beast mode, Larry Johnson, just a name a few. Rudy Johnson, rest in peace. Running back still hold tremendous value, though, today. Look at what Eric Henry and Sequin Barkley did. Look at what Amir Gibbs is doing. Look at what Chase Brown is doing. If you have a running back that can do all the things that these running backs can do, like Jerome

Ben has spent two years with the Rams and then, I'm sorry, three years with the Rams and then played his next 10 years with the Steelers. One team's loss, another team's again. Now the Rams did get Marshall Falk, so there is that to it. But if you're, again, if you're going to let somebody out of the building, you better have a plan in place. Seattle let Kenneth Walker out of the building. Maybe they shouldn't have, but they draft the Judarian price.

They have a plan in place. So look, how concern should we be? Maybe like a five, as coach said, there is some leakage. But Evan, I definitely think that it's not a distraction. And I think that's the biggest thing here. Yeah, I think, you know, we've had multiple off-season where contracts are distractions and that, you know, derails the season from the start. But, I mean, D.J. Turner even came out and said, he said, you know,

I'm going to play my best ball this year. I'm going to go out, do what I can, earn my money. And if it's with the bank, was cool, if not, whatever. So I do respect them for, you know, not holding out and, you know, playing on these contracts. But, yeah, I mean, going back to the running back market, I think the things, that's great about Chase Brown is he's such a dynamic receiver as well. And I think from what I've heard is Dan pitcher is looking to use him a little bit more as a receiver. And so with Joe Burrow and the talent that he is, you know, he likes to throw the ball everywhere. And so I think,

you know, Chase Brown is more than just an in-line running back. He's fast. He's got that receiving receiving to his game. And Derek Henry, I mean, he's what, 31, 32, and it doesn't look like he's slowing down at all. So it definitely is an interesting, an interesting. topic for sure because you know I think running backs are more valuable than they were a few years ago but like Mike said where does that you know pay start and stop yeah so same amount of money as bj hill right now who is the more important bangle right now and i don't know i i guess you'd have to ask yourself is chase brown or bj hill more important to the team and think about that it's where it's like that's the same amount of money you're given out this isn't asking for 20 million dollars anymore

to be a top 10 or so top 12, I don't know, running back. You know what else cures all this? You know what else cures all this? Make it even less of a distraction? Winning. And for Joe Burrow, that may be inevitable this season. That conversation next on the Bengals Squad Show. This Monday in Sports Illustrated and the Monday morning quarterback Albert Breer,

tremendous national writer, headlined this article, why success for the Bengals in 2026 feels, quote, inevitable, quote. for Joe Burrough. There are some really interesting quotes in here that really have me excited for what he's going to do, not only this season, but for the next several seasons here is Cincinnati. He's manifesting greatness, and he's not going anywhere. He's staying in Cincinnati for the long haul, however long his career is. Take this quote. The vibe of the defense is really good right now, Joe Burroughs saying. Our defensive line is so deep this year. The depth of that unit was

was a weak point last year, but now we have nine or ten guys that we feel good about putting it out there in five down sets. Obviously, Dexter Lawrence plays a big role in that. Jonathan Allen plays a big role in that. And those guys have been vocal leaders for us to start this out, which is something that we needed. And then he said this. He said this about the offense. We know what we have on offense, so we can take care of and experiment with things right now that we want to be better at, but we always know we have something in the back pocket that we can pull out and go to that we've done for years.

years at this point, and now we have more flexibility as far as style of play on offense to win a game. The last couple of years, I felt like every possession was due or die. He knows, coach. He knows there's a different field this year than the last two years, even on offense. And coach, you know about this very well. Complementary football matters. Absolutely. It is A number one.

If you and your defense and your special teams can be a team. and no one want to take the take necessarily the blame or the embracement you're going to win some football games. And I think that like we talked about a little bit earlier, you can see where this is Joe's hand

has been put into the makeup of this football team. Because, hey, Joe is, even before the season started, even before he probably met a lot of these guys physically. Might have talked to him on the phone. He was praising what kind of people they were. And to get a Jonathan Allen, to get a Dexter Lawrence, to get a cook in the secondary, plus what they've already had, they know that there's not a leadership lack group,

that that group will take them. And on offense, basically the same guys, a couple of hours. a couple ads that are really going to help them out in turn of their flexibility on offense. And, you know, the style going underneath. That means if you're going to go underneath, you're going to have a runnerback who's going to get a majority of those balls. So you better pay the one you got. Okay. Don't look for the next year.

But I think that what he's coming out and saying, and you don't hear it from any other quarterback, you don't hear from Patrick Mahomes, you don't hear it from Josh Allen. You don't hear it from Lamar. You don't hear it from all the greats from. You don't even hear it from Stafford. The guarantee and the guarantee. And this is like my college team.

The feel is like my college team. You don't hear guys coming out. And that's, you know, that is to me, if you're good, prove it. Don't need to talk about it, that you're going to bust one way from six. Cincinnati to L.A. or bust because then you got to swallow it. And even if your numbers are high, you still got to swallow it. Just go out and perform, Joe. Just go out and perform. You also have this to say, I'm going to cut you off. He had this to say, I don't know about you, but I could really feel it in my bones and my soul in OTAs this year differ from years past.

The vibes that the Bengals have right now. And when your quarterback is saying that, and all these things that he's talking about doing with flexibility in the offense, being able to take checkdowns and go under center and play action. And we saw that in 21 and 22 a little bit. But now you can do it because every possession is now do or die. And when Joe Boyle talked about, you know, how this team reminds him in 2019 LSU and how they're going to go win the Super Bowl. And he's manifesting that it's going to happen this year.

He said, in quote, I've never understood why people are scared to say it. I guess people get scared of how the media will portray them or their team in a certain way. but you have to set expectations with yourself, your teammates, your organization. Everybody says they want to win the Super Bowl. You talk about it every day. You set that expectation every day. You go to work for it every single day.

I mean, I don't know the answer to that for everybody, but that's what I want to do. That's what I'm trying to do. That's what I do this for. And if you don't talk about it, I don't know how you can do it. Bang, manifesting. Well, you know what a lot of people talk about it?

They talk about it in the building all the time. You may not talk about it, publicly. Other players on the team have not expressed the same. And so I think it's better kept in-house. And we know who he is. We know what kind of player he is. We know how good he is. You know what? How many of the other 52, they feel it, but are they doing the same manifestation that Joe's doing? They weren't on that LSU team, right? They weren't. So go about it. build your team and you know what you don't have to tell publicly everything that's going on in the building I'm glad we're so far away from that 2019 LSU team at this point because I couldn't really deal with the people that wanted to bring in Clyde Edwards a layer and to up and have Thadius Moss be an active game day participant I was like come on guys they weren't all superstars

hey call the football a lot never than professional football it sure is Yeah, I'm kind of on coach this time. I was just like, I need, just do it. Just got there and do it. Just go and win. Win. Win these first two weeks. I think that would be huge.

What was, they went 2 and O last year to start the year. But I would say it wasn't the prettiest 2 and O. It's not, you know, they were in a little bit of a slug fest with the Browns. And then they had to beat the Jags from behind Jake Browning taking over and winning that game. Also, I think they were down when he went in there. So, and the Jags ended up being a playoff team. They're a good team. The Browns were the Browns.

But I would say, can you go out against Tampa and look like you do in November? That is always the biggest thing to me. This team looks amazing in November, especially on offense. But that's just a completely different team than who they are. It seems like every September, where it looks like the offense is struggling. It's hard. And I think that's part of the reason they're going under center is they face by far the most cover two in the league because of Jim March.

because of Joe Burrow, because of T. Higgas. You want to have a guy underneath and over the top. And you know what that's saying? If I'm the offensive line coach, offensive coordinator, yeah, coach got it. They don't respect this run game. They're going to keep both safeties deep out of the box, not even quarters so that they're fitting from 10 yards or something.

These guys aren't even in the run fit. They say, hey, we'll stop you with seven. I don't care how many, I don't give your 12 personnel, whatever. We don't respect this run game. So the Bengals go under center and you have to be able to run the ball. And there's obviously issues that come with that. The Texans are going to be an issue. They can line up and cover too.

And they got so many butt kickers on their team. They're probably fine. But, you know, the Buccaneers, I want to see them come out. And Vita Vey has a great nose tackle, defensive tackle. You've got Ruben Bain, who looks awesome in the preseason. And I thought one of the best prospects in this draft. You've got all these guys that are good. But this isn't the Texans.

This is a team that if they're going to line up and they're going to play two deep safeties who are not respecting your run game at all, you should be able to run for five yards of carry and get them to get into some other type of coverage. And that's where I'd also like to see, you always talk about the under center run game, under center play action. I kind of want to see under center straight dropback because if the defense is acting like your under center game is a run game and they're going to get into cover three, they're going to get into quarters, they're going to have those safety. Hey, when they're under center, you're in the fit. When they're in shotgun, you can stay out. all right. They're not going to change their coverage because they don't see a fake handoff.

So if they're in cover three, when you go under center, they're in cover three. If you're going to drop back, fake a hand off, hand it off, whatever you do, run the flea flicker. It doesn't matter. They're playing cover three. So just straight drop back. I've got Jamar Chase and T. Higgins one-on-one. Sick. But that requires a little bit of a change where I don't think Jobro has mastered, you know, some of the small things that come with being an under-center quarterback, whether that is the footwork getting out of there. You see guys fumble those snaps all the time. I just want to see them build this offense to where it's not just fringe top five. If they're a top two, top three, or maybe even the best offense in the league,

I think that comes from being able to go under center, but not just run the ball under center, but be able to pass the ball under center. And that, to me, doesn't even just mean only play action because I want to see them just get out there, run some 989 again like they used to, where it's two go routes on the outside. You got that middle read over the middle there. And Joe Burrow was killing teams that tried to play cover three when they would run that play because Jamar Chase against the corner one corner no safety no other help it's curtains and they need to be able to force that look yeah I couldn't agree more with what both

you guys are saying I'm just ready to see it I think I love that Joe's speaking into existence of talking about it but you know it's time to put the put your money where your mouth is and make it and make it happen but I think you know when Joe Burrough says something he doesn't just say it just to say it he truly believes what he says and so I think that he truly believes that, you know, this, this team can do what they did in 2019. He said on Jamar Chase's podcast, this feels like the offseason heading into the 2021 season where they went to the Super Bowl. He's experienced winning and he knows what it takes to win.

And he feels that this year. And I think, going back to what coach said earlier, I think it is going to be nice for him not to, like he said, have to basically score every single time you're on the field or you lose. I mean, the Bengals have lost so many games the past few years where they score 30 plus and still end up losing the game and that just can't happen. And so I think the leaders that they brought in, I think makes a huge difference. You have Boy Maffa, who just won a Super Bowl, you know, Brian Cook, who's won a handful with the Chiefs. And then Dexter Lawrence, who's, you know, all he really needs to do is win a Super Bowl to solidify himself as one of the better de-tackles of the last few years. And so I think you have a lot of leaders on.

defense who know what it takes to win and have won before. And I think that's something we haven't had in the last few seasons. And from what I've heard is there's a fire under this defense that they're, you know, they're talking smack in practice. You know, there was that fight earlier that happened like really early in training camp. And so there's a, I think the defense itself sees, hey, we weren't good enough last year. Everyone says we weren't good enough. Everyone on national media says the Bengals will not win because of us. And I think they take that personally. And I think with the moves that they've made. I think on paper, this team is one of the best that they've had in the last few seasons. I think Joe sees that Joe feels that it's different. And I think he's,

like you guys said, he's manifesting that they're going to win this year. But you have to put your money where your mouth is and you have to go out, start fast when, when against the bucks, and start the train rolling early. Well said by all of you. Well said by all of you. Joe Byroll turns 30 in December. And when asked about how alone he wants to play, he says, I used to to want to go and maybe play a different sport after a couple of Super Bowls, but now I'm like, I'm just going to play until I can, unquote. Let that squash any false national narrative that there is about Joe Burrow. And if the Bengals win the Super Bowl this year, they are forever changed with their stripes. That's going to do it for us on the Bengals squad show this evening, Coach Arr-Belara,

Mike Santagina, at Bengals underscore Sands, our resident film expert, Evan Stacey, and Lockdown Bengals hit at Evan Stacy 3, our lockdown Bengals hit guru. I'm Alex Frank and Frankie underscore have a great Friday night, enjoy college football, Miami, Stanford coming up, 9 o'clock. That game on ESPN, ACC matchup. They're a coast to coast matchup, if you will, even though it stands for the Atlantic Coast Conference, but that's just one thing that stands out. We're back on Sunday. We're on a Friday, Sunday schedule for the foreseeable future with all games on Sundays

or midweek shows on Fridays. So we'll talk to you on Sunday afternoon. Coming up on Sunday, we got a good show coming up for you. Our unsung heroes that we expect to emerge on the. Bengals, how they actually start fast against Tampa Bay, Houston, Pittsburgh, and Jacksonville, and the nine players after Burrow Chase Higgins and Dexter Lawrence will define this team and our official season predictions for the 2026 Cincinnati Bengals. Have a great rest of your Friday night.

Have a great Labor Day weekend. We'll talk to you on Sunday afternoon here on the Bengals Squatch show, part of lockdown Bengals and the lockdown podcast network, the number of the number one sports podcast network in in America and the world celebrating 10 years of your team every day.