Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - X-Factors That Could Change Bengals 2026 Season

Starting point is 00:00:00 Sometimes in the NFL, if not just your stars that make or break your season. Sometimes it's a key role player. Sometimes it's the emergence of a second round safety like Jesse Bates taking the league by storm. Who will be the X factors for the Bengals in 2026? Let's get into it. You are Locked on Bengals, your daily Cincinnati Bengals podcast. Part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. What up, Bengals fans, and welcome to another episode of the Locked on Bengals podcast.

Starting point is 00:00:35 He's James Rapine. I'm Jake Lisco, and we are locked on Bengals, your daily source for Bengals news and analysis all season long. And today we're going to dive into the topic of looking for the X factors for the Bengals in the 2026 season. Everyone has high expectations for Joe Burrow and Jamar Chase and T. Higgins and Dexter Lawrence and Brian Cook. And those guys could exceed expectations and make their way onto this list when we have hindsight. to reflect on the 2026 season. But one thing that we like to do and trying to predict the seasons to come is try to identify who those players are

Starting point is 00:01:17 who, if they took a big step and exceeded expectations, sometimes they come out of nowhere, sometimes are guys that are just a little bit better than you thought they'd be that can make a big difference for this team. And I think that's the case around the NFL where some role player steps in and becomes a starter or a starter takes a step and becomes a star.

Starting point is 00:01:40 And you're looking for those players around the NFL, the guys that could take that step developmentally or surprises rookies and make a big difference for your football team. And those guys are often the marginal difference that helps you win games in this league where the talent differentiation between teams, the talent level difference is often so close. And it comes down to the margins, James. So when we're looking at this Bengals roster this year, looking for those X factors, it's interesting because when you look at recent years, you've had guys like Trey Hendrickson, who when he came in, the first year with the Bengals, could be identified as an X factor.

Starting point is 00:02:19 Trading for BJ Hill, who's still with the team, suddenly carves out a significant role in as part of your cornerstone defensive line for years after trading Billy Price for him. Kind of comes out of nowhere a little bit, and sometimes that's the way it goes in the NFL. It does for sure. And I wrote down a bunch of names. And there are a lot of guys that can really shift things for this team, for this defense, for this offense. Part of that could be the role that we expect them to be now. Changes because of injury or changes because of unforeseen circumstances. But when I think of X factors and I think, all right, if in January we're talking Super Bowl and we're talking AFC championship game and we're talking real contention,

Starting point is 00:03:05 who could really make an impact and really make a difference that we're not expecting to star. Like Dexter Lawrence, if he's an all pro, he's not an X factor. He's a factor. He's the factor. He's a lot of things. But, you know, he's not going unaccounted for. I think it starts with the position we've talked about the most on defense this offseason. Like the biggest X factors have to be Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter, don't they?

Starting point is 00:03:35 Like if they, if we suddenly look up and one of the two makes a Logan Wilson like jump in year two from year one to year two. And let's just say Barrett Carter suddenly 21 Logan Wilson. Well, my goodness. Then where are the gigantic holes on defense? And maybe you get 2020 slash 2021 Pratt from night. Like I, in whatever, I'm not trying to make the comp completely. but I'm just trying to give you an idea of like what it would be like if suddenly week 10 rolls around and we aren't talking about the linebackers being a giant issue for this team.

Starting point is 00:04:16 And that's why I think there are X factors. Whether or not they should be in this position is a whole other dilemma in debate. But if they end up being good, my goodness, where's the fall? Find the flaw on defense because there's not going to be anything that glaring if those two guys do. step up and become X-Factors to help watch this defense into another another universe when it comes to stopping offenses. Yeah, I think there are going to be a couple of positions on the defensive side of the ball that we're talking about and some players at those positions that we're going to be talking about as X-Factors because part of the thing with X-Factors when I think

Starting point is 00:04:53 about it, James, is like I think about those pre-game graphics that you'll see where broadcasts will try to identify an X-factor for a game, right? And sometimes, you know, for whatever and Rashid Shaheed is coming to mind for me. Like sometimes that guy shows up and makes a big impact on a game. And other times it's just not that guy's weak. And it's kind of like the sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't kind of thing.

Starting point is 00:05:17 And I'm not saying that's going to be the case for Demetrius and Barrett Carter, but when we're talking about X factors, sometimes these guys are going to hit and sometimes they're not. And I think that's what makes a linebacker spot for this team and Demetri St. Barrett Carter in particular, the perfect place to start when it comes to extractors. Because maybe they do take that step and they get that, you know,

Starting point is 00:05:40 we've talked about it on this show, that 17 to 25 point jump in PFF grade to use it as a proxy going from like a very- 25 points is wild. I mean, look, I mean, you look at like Devin Lloyd. The fact that that's possible to point it out, like, just the fact that that's possible to like get into like a range is pretty ridiculous, right?

Starting point is 00:06:01 A 25 point jump should mean that they're a 95. It should. Especially if you think about it like a Madden rating or something like that. But like you look at like Devin Lloyd and Jack Campbell in their first years on pro football focus in their grades. It's like in the 50s or something like that. And then they have those big jumps and become starter level players. You get that kind of jump and you're laughing at linebacker.

Starting point is 00:06:26 But sometimes it doesn't work out. Sometimes you don't get that big jump. And like Demetrius Knight's 26. this year. It's kind of crazy to think it. Like he was an old rookie. We knew that. But like he's going to be he's going to be 26 years old this year. What do you do in July? And so like will he double his age and PFF score that I mean just taking an age size jump in PFF score 20 oh will he double it overall like 50 yeah. And and again like PFF isn't the end all be all I don't know that up because I'm like trying to I'm just using that as like and

Starting point is 00:07:01 approximation if he goes from what he was last year to like an average starter or to your point like an above average starter like a Logan Wilson size jump like yeah that makes a huge huge difference for this defense on the other hand if these guys don't take that step with every thing that has been put on their plate this year there's no contingency plan right not right now maybe that maybe there will be by the time training camp rolls around the way that we were talking about Dalton riser last year could be the way we're talking about about some of these veterans that linebacker this year for the next couple of months. But there's no fallback option.

Starting point is 00:07:38 So it's very much like you're either going to ride with them or you're going to die with them right now. And that's why to me they're like the perfect encapsulation of what an X factor is for this team in 2026 because if they don't take that step, yeah, everything around them is better. So like the defense on the whole should improve because there should be less issues around them. but like you still have this glaring issue, this spot that teams are going to be attacking if they don't take that step

Starting point is 00:08:05 and become more consistent better players. Yeah, it just starts there. And a lot of our offseason conversations have started there where it's like, all right, well, what are they going to do at linebacker? What's going to happen at linebacker? Well, what a blessing it would be if they look up and suddenly they have one,

Starting point is 00:08:22 maybe two starting level. Like if you tell me those two guys are starting caliber linebackers on defense, I think you're feeling pretty good about this defense, and not just about the floor, but now about the ceiling as well. And so we will see, but the X Factor list, it starts with them. It certainly doesn't end with them. There are plenty to get to that aren't involving a 26-year-old second-year

Starting point is 00:08:46 player and a guy named Barrett Carter, Knight Carter. Who else? We'll get to more X-Factors coming up next. Today's show is brought to you by Square. Support for today's episode coming from Square, because Square is going to fix, well, your systems and your processes. And Square, heck, it might even be able to help the Bengals identify the right linebacker. Maybe they already have.

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Starting point is 00:10:11 Run your business smarter with Square. All right, Jake, let's keep the X-factor discussion rolling. And let's stick on defense. I do want to get to offense. I do want to get to offense. And there are some offensive players that I have written down here. but let's stick with the defense. And I don't think DJ Turner is an X factor.

Starting point is 00:10:34 I think you could present him as him doing what he did last year again and being a top corner that's following number ones and like continuing to build on that. Like I get that. And maybe you want to make that case, that's fine. But I think the X factor here is the other guy. What if Dax Hill is a one, two, like T-O-O? And suddenly you look up,

Starting point is 00:10:57 It's week eight, and maybe DJ has a contract and Dax doesn't, and they're both playing elite level cornerback on the outside, on the boundary. And I think they were really confident when Dax showed them last year after Cam Taylor Britt went down and really believed in him. What if there is another step, another gear, another piece to his game? And we look up and it's like, yeah, the Bengals, their pass rush is awesome or a lot better, more complete deeper but they have two ones

Starting point is 00:11:28 at corner I think that could really really do wonders for this defense so I think that X factor wise Dax L I think we know he's good is he a one I think that there's at least an outside chance that he could do that and if he does that

Starting point is 00:11:44 it's going to make this defense that much better and how much does he help in the run game too how much is you playing in the slot is that going to be part of his role this year in certain packs packages, the run game aspect of it, I think, is a part of the X-Factor conversation for me. Like, he's going to blitz more than DJ Turner this year. And he's going to be in positions where he's going to be playing the run more than DJ Turner is this year.

Starting point is 00:12:10 And that's going to make a difference for this team. There's also an argument to be made that in the second half of the season last year, that Dax was a more consistent player in some ways than D.J. Turner. He also didn't have necessarily the level of responsibility that D.J. did you're talking about him DJ Turner that is following ones around and Dax didn't do that quite as much but like he he started to really find his consistency and it's why I think he's talking about like why would I think about changing positions but Dax had six pass breakouts last year they all came in the second half of the season they came from week 12 to week 18 where where he a DJ Turner around the

Starting point is 00:12:51 same time was starting to find those like multiple past break-up games, I think, about that Pittsburgh game, obviously, taking the ball away from DK Metcalf. But Dax started stacking those at the end of the season as well. Outside of that three-penity game against New England, which was a pretty crazy game in terms of the penalties, I mean, Dax was very, very good down the stretch, which again, I think is why when he's asked about changing position, he's like, of course I want to stay outside. I don't want to go through this again. So if the Bengals can't keep him outside, I like that one.

Starting point is 00:13:26 I have higher expectations for Dax and it would be hard for him to exceed my expectations, but if you go out there and you have two guys that you're very confident with in a number of situations at corner, that really elevates what Al Golden can do with his defense, right? Because we have the idea that Al Golden wants to play a lot of man. To play a lot of man, you need a pass rush, and you need corners that can hold up.

Starting point is 00:13:51 And if Dax Hill and DJ Turner can hold up, that's going to do a lot for you in what Al Golden can do in getting to the scheme that he wants to get to on defense. Anyone else in the secondary, James, that you wanted to identify as an X factor here? I think the one guy that I don't necessarily want to dive into a lot of depth here, but Kyle Dugger does stand out as like an X factor kind of role in terms of a smaller scale than some of the guys we're talking about, not necessarily a starter role, but for the role. that we're imagining for him, the linebacker safety hybrid, the overhang defender role where he's going to be a subpackage player for this team, how well he executes in that role. If he can get back to the level he was at when he did that last, which was a couple of years ago now, that can make a big difference for this team in filling a role that they haven't had for a couple of years in being that hybrid kind of player as a safety.

Starting point is 00:14:48 I totally agree. I think he's an X-factor and it's tough because he's like, to me, he's your battle insurance. And I think you can make the case for battle being an X factor too. Because what if he proves to be, what if he's Jordan Bell? And he finally gets into that Von Bell prime 2020 to 2020 level where he's consistent, but also can provide some splash plays. I was looking at 2022, Von Bell had four picks that year. Like if you give me four picks and consistency from that spot alongside Brian Cook, man, feels good. And so we'll see.

Starting point is 00:15:26 But that's certainly one that I agree with, though, is a guy like Dugger that raises the floor. But like, if you told me he's their second best safety, I wouldn't go crazy. And if he's not, because battle continues to play well and gets better and better and better as the season goes on, great, because then he can be what you just describe. And the other member of the secondary that I think is interesting that I do want to mention, and it kind of goes against what I said about Dax, what if Ticario Davis is just good right away? But if he's just good outside cornerback now, day one,

Starting point is 00:16:06 how good will this secondary be if it's DJ Turner and Ticario Davis, who's one of the top cover corners on the team and Daxil in the nickel in the slot? Like I do think that, and that's part of just rookie stuff as well, but like that could go a long way. So the thing I like about this secondary is it's like, oh, well, if it's not battle, then it can be this guy. If Dax moves into the nickel, it's going to be because DeCario Davis pushes him there. But if not, Dax could still be a top cover corner on the boundary. Like there's just, there's a lot of options and a lot of different scenarios and paths for this defense in the secondary to be really darn good. And I do think the anchor of that, and he's not an X-Factor, he's just a factor,

Starting point is 00:16:48 is Brian Cook coming in town and bringing stability at that spot. Yeah, I think there are a couple of guys who are not talking about his X-Factors, and they are going to be Brian Cook and Dexter Lawrence and B.J. Hill, and those are primarily the guys on D.J. Turner, too, but those are primarily the guys on defense that are not going to be X-Factors, where then we're going to talk about the rest of this defense is like, all right, there's a bunch of X-factors here, bunch of coin flips again. Coin flips that I think are more like weighted die rolls at this

Starting point is 00:17:19 point. They're not like the coin flips last year where maybe they were unfavorable coin flips last year. This year I do feel better about a lot of these. But like to me, if you look at the defensive line, pretty much everyone outside of Dexter Lawrence and B.J. Hill are kind of X factors in some way, shape, or form. In the way that like Trey Hendrickson to me, when the Bengals acquired him in the first season when the Bengals got Trey Hendrickson, he was an X-factor. And we weren't sure how much of his production was sustainable. And then he went on and showed that he is, in fact, an elite pass rusher and a consistently elite pass rusher for multiple years in Cincinnati. If Boye Maffei, in his time in Cincinnati, goes the same way where we're not sure what level he will give you

Starting point is 00:18:05 as a pass rusher, but the Bengals are banking on his upside. If that goes the way that Trey did, Obviously, that's a huge success, or if it's even an approximation of the way that it went for Trey, for Boye-Mafé, same conversation. If Miles Murphy can take another step, very similar conversation. Shamar Stewart can take a Miles Murphy-sized step. Very similar conversation of Jonathan Allen as a more designated pass rusher in a more specific role can come in and give you what he's given in his career as a past rush. Right. Different from what he did in Minnesota, there's an X factor there too. Cassius Howell, harder to call rookies X-factors in general,

Starting point is 00:18:41 unless they really blow up. And I think Eric All and Jesse Bates are a couple examples in recent Bengals history, where they made much bigger impacts as rookies than they were expected to. Cassius Howl, though, if he comes in and gives you six sacks or seven sacks as a rookie, really helps to elevate this pass rush. That whole defensive front outside of Dexter Lawrence and BJ Hill, like I said, a lot of X factors among them, James. Yeah, I totally agree.

Starting point is 00:19:09 I think that Jonathan Allen is so big for me. Like it's there's a path. Like when they signed him to that deal, it was like, yeah, it's probably a one year deal. There's a lot of money and there's not a whole lot of second year money that is really attached. Yeah. There's a path where he's so awesome this year that it's a no brainer to keep him around. And it's because of Dexter Lawrence. What can Dexter Lawrence do to unlock a guy who,

Starting point is 00:19:36 it's like Ray Allen. I'll do the NBA analogy and you know how much I love NBA. Like people forget Ray Allen was like this super explosive two guard that could get to the basket and it wasn't the spot up shooter.

Starting point is 00:19:49 Well now Jonathan Allen, the one thing that he does really, really well, he still can get after the passer on the interior. He's one-on-one. It's giving Ray Allen a chance to stand in the corner

Starting point is 00:19:58 and shoot threes, which he's really, really good at. And so he can evolve into this next stage where he doesn't need to be the best defensive tackle in the room.

Starting point is 00:20:05 he can be a guy that just wins one-on-one. Ray Allen just sits in the corner and shoots threes. Guess what? It extended his career and he won multiple rings and it just changed what he was able to do. Like I think Jonathan Allen can still do that one-on-one. Like today, Jonathan Allen, past rusher-wise, as good as BJ Hill was last year,

Starting point is 00:20:25 and I think he was really underrated and you and I both know how good he was. Jonathan Allen, I'll take in a one-on-one situation getting after the quarterback more than BJ Hill. Is that, do you agree? Do you not? Oh, yeah. You do. Imagine how good he could be because he only sees one-on-ones.

Starting point is 00:20:40 I'm excited to see Jonathan Allen. And I think about what Luke Braun told you when they signed Alan, much different when you're talking about him being BJ Hill's running mate only alongside T.J. Slayton versus next to Sexy Dexie. I think he's certainly an X factor. And there are a lot. We haven't even talked about offense, but there are a lot. I'm sure there might be another note or two on defense.

Starting point is 00:21:01 We will continue the discussion coming up next. As we wrap up the conversation and talk about the rest of the X factors on the Cincinnati Bengals, if you're an everydayer, you're part of the Everydayer Club, you listen to Lockdown Bengals Every Day. If you're interested in an ad-free version of the podcast and access to a Discord channel with other everydayers, every other everyday listeners, check out LockdownBengles. com for details on the Lockdown Everydayer Club. You get a seven-day free trial. Anytime you try to check out the Everydayer Club.

Starting point is 00:21:37 So if you want to see what it's all about, again, lockdown bengals.com. I don't have anything else on the defense, James. I named all the guys on the defensive line. Chris Jenkins actually is the one guy I didn't name, who definitely fits this conversation. But not in dissimilar ways to some of the other guys we've talked about. So let's talk about offensive players here, James Rupin, your favorite.

Starting point is 00:22:02 Which wide receiver is the most important X factor for this? offense in 2026. It's funny because the first offensive player wrote down is Andre Yosevash. Yeah, there you go. But am I raw? Like, of course, you can say, oh, if there's an injury to the offensive line, well, it's this guy or that guy. But to me, if Andre Yosevash takes a step and in a contract year has every reason to prove

Starting point is 00:22:32 that, like I think we know what Mike Kosicki is, we may know what Andre is. We may. But like Jordan Battle, maybe there's another gear. Maybe there's another half gear. And another half gear in this offense with Joe Burrow and the chemistry he's had with Joe Burrow could be 700 yards and seven touchdowns with 62 catches. Right. Like it's not crazy to think that. So you say that, but like wide receiver three is like the spot where you're like, all right, well, what's going to, was it going to be?

Starting point is 00:23:02 Is it going to just be Andre's Kobe Young going to get some of those snaps is Mitch two? Inslee going to get into the mix there? Is it just Mike Gisicki? Are they going to go after DeAndre Hopkins? Is Charlie Jones going to somehow sneak into that mix? Andre Yosevash is the one that is in pole position. And he has the rapport with Burrow. And he has all the money on the line.

Starting point is 00:23:25 Like there's a lot of reasons to buy the, Andre Yosevash is going to have a big year. And I would not be shocked at off. That's the case. He's a major X factor, I would say. Beat single coverage. Be reliable for. Joe Burrow, if you do that, you're going to look up and have a career high 600 plus yards.

Starting point is 00:23:41 Yeah, I think for Andre, I do see him as an X factor, to be fair. I also think he fits, like when we were, we didn't discuss this beforehand or anything. We came to our own independent conclusions. And I wonder how high the ceiling is, but if he can be on time a little bit more, that'll help with some of the drop issues that he had because I think some of the drop issues that he had or him not getting his head. around not expecting the ball when the ball is on him a couple of times and that's part of it and he's had drop issues throughout his career a career drop rate around 10% or so that can tick down

Starting point is 00:24:19 a little bit and he's still going to have you know 55 or so targets then you can get another hundred yards pretty easy if you can cut that drop rate in half and so I think that will be interesting but also just being on time being more comfortable in the system having your eyes where they need to be at the right time. So that can help to clean up some of that, some of those drop issues. I think that would go a long way. Because one of the things that Andre is really good at and has been good at

Starting point is 00:24:48 is like when he's been at his best with Burrow is being on the same page in the scramble drill with Joe. And so like if you get that part of Andre Yosevaas's game as a third receiver, right, where he should have favorable matchups. And you get a little bit of more comfort and being on time. I think that that is pretty significant. And we'll see if anyone can challenge him for that job. I think Kobe Young probably to me on paper has the best chance to challenge him.

Starting point is 00:25:16 But I would like to see Andre play that consistent third wide receiver role this year for them and take that step. And he'll be sharing those stats, like you said, with Mike Keseki. And they'll kind of be splitting the wide receiver three role on this team. We'll see if Chase Brown is still third on the team in targets this year after he was. last year. It might be. But is, is there, is there an X factor there with Chase at all? Chase Brown?

Starting point is 00:25:45 Like, like vaulting into the. I don't, I don't really, we know personally, but. 2,000 yards from scrimmage class. Like a guy who's like now, Jemir Gibbs, B, John, right? Like, does he have that to him or is he, is this what he is? I think, I think he's really good. I don't think he has that in him, personally. Because that would be the argument for him being an accident.

Starting point is 00:26:07 factor is like there's another there's a whole other gear yeah i don't i don't see the other gear there personally i think he's really good as is and this isn't me taking a shot at him and hopefully it's not received that way i don't know how much more meat is on that bone personally and you might be right i just wanted to throw it out there wanted to mention it i do think that like and we don't need to spend a lot of time here brian parker is a very interesting name on the offensive line dylan fairchild and his development does he take that expected second year step i think those two guys really stand out on the offensive line and the third guy that really stands out. Well, actually, it's both tackles now that I think about it because Orlando has been a bit of

Starting point is 00:26:45 a roller coaster and I think expectations for him are pretty low for a lot of people. But Amarius Mims more than anything, like if he continues his trajectory, sky's the limit for that guy, man. Really, really excited for Amarius this year. And that's more of like a breakout player thing than an X-factor thing for Marius. I think those are a little bit different. But since we're talking about it, it's just really exciting. But Brian Parker, if that guy can beat out Cody Ford and be the backup everything,

Starting point is 00:27:18 I feel so much better about the backup everything, sixth linemen. If it's Brian Parker because he's been really impressive, then Cody Ford. And I think the way you said that is important to point out, I keep referencing 2022 because we just look back at that roster. if Brian Parker earns that, it will be because he earned that. Like Cordell Voluson had to beat out Jacks. It's not like, like I get it. I don't trust Cody Ford either, but he's not Jackson, Carmen.

Starting point is 00:27:45 Like he's established. Like you still have to beat him out, right? It's not like Cody's going to beat him out. Especially on this team. Like the coaches like Cody Ford. No doubt. And well, because they trust them. Now he has something to prove.

Starting point is 00:27:57 He's something that certainly does. But how beautiful would it be if you look up and it's Dylan Fairchild and Jay and Rivers and Amaris Mims who's still on a rookie deal. And obviously Brian Parker and you're like kind of lose developing. And you just feel really good about the young nucleus of this offensive line room. Like feeling like you have a pipeline in the offensive line to the future with a coach that you trust. Like we haven't been there for a long time with this team.

Starting point is 00:28:25 It's the biggest difference. As of now, like it can make the biggest jump because it's like, oh, well, we can secure Joe Brose protection. for the next for the rest of this contract and then so like if they hit and we'll see but there aren't any carmans or burtons that are like oh well that's a complete zero and you can't bank on like i don't get that feeling at all in the offensive line room which that alone is is a big stretch and it is a big step and that's what i think is interesting about young versus yoshi versus all these guys as young is just built different than those guys may force his way onto the field two others that i want to mention on offense i've the the early returns and it's early right it's shorts

Starting point is 00:29:16 the jack andries returns are real i asked a few of his teammate real oh yeah there we go there we go it's exciting i mean i've been i've been on the jack andrews train since they drafted him and you know that i thought he was a day two player early day three player probably more realistically and getting into the seventh round. Like, this is the guy that I thought, and I've said this, future starter written all over. Yep. And in the other guy who was an X factor as a rookie who's also moving well, playing well, Eric All.

Starting point is 00:29:48 Yeah, get both of them going, baby. Let's go. Can you imagine how good that tight end room would be if both of those dudes are actual guys that force and not only force but make the team? And we're talking about like, Gaseki's a lock. So it'd be like a Sicki sample, injuries and all, or all in injuries. And they have good depth there too. Like Cam Grady on your practice squad being your fifth tight end.

Starting point is 00:30:15 Cam Grady and Tanner Hudson potentially making the practice squad. I mean, great. It's a deep tight end room now. Now it feels much different. Yeah, and feel like you can put a couple guys on the field. You can put an Eric called Jack Andrews package together where you put both those guys on the field because you feel like they're more multidimensional, great. And that's probably not the early path.

Starting point is 00:30:36 It's probably pairing one of those guys with Gaseki, one of those guys with sample in your different packages that you're going to have. But excited to hear that there's some optimism about entries. Eric Al was going to be my primary name at the tight end position just because we don't really know what to expect there from him and what we're going to see from Eric Hall this year is unpredictable. But if they can get competent level play from Eric Hall and he's healthy, awesome because miss some crucial development time for him and missing last season in the second

Starting point is 00:31:07 half of his rookie season but if he can be that kind of guy that we saw from him even as a rookie that that's something that that is important to this offense and was important to this offense when he came out of nowhere as a rookie and Jack Andrews man that's exciting to hear the early reports and like you said in shorts and all those things and we'll see what path he takes and how they're using him. And if they're putting him out wide or in the slot or if they're putting him in line at all, how his blocking looks in the preseason and all those things. But I remain excited for Jack Andrews.

Starting point is 00:31:39 Yeah. When you ask about a rookie and then the face lights up a little bit, it's good. So it's still early, to your point. But I like where Eric on Jack injuries are. And if you want that room to be in its full potential and this offense to be at their full potential, so the next factor is one of those guys, if not both of those guys, guys make a push to not just make the roster but get on the field and that would be that would be huge for this offense my friend yeah it would be very exciting we'll wrap up there for this

Starting point is 00:32:10 episode of the lockdown bengals podcast until next time thanks for listening hooda and have a good one

Locked On Bengals - Daily Podcast On The Cincinnati Bengals - X-Factors That Could Change Bengals 2026 Season

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