The Athletic Football Show (Feb 26, 2026)

The Most Interesting Teams of the Offseason, Part 3: Bengals, Ravens, and Eagles

Episode Overview

Host Robert Mays concludes his off-season series by diving into the pivotal crossroads facing three perennial contenders: the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, and Philadelphia Eagles. Featuring in-depth conversations with the teams' beat writers—Paul Dehner Jr. (Bengals), Jeff Zrebiec (Ravens), and Zach Berman (Eagles)—the show dissects why 2026 feels like a make-or-break year for all three franchises. Heavy on detail and sharp on analysis, the episode spotlights how roster moves, coaching changes, financial pressures, and looming contract decisions are shaping three of the NFL’s most scrutinized organizations.

Cincinnati Bengals: “A Year of Existential Dread”

(00:00–27:40)

State of the Franchise

• Pivotal Crossroads:

  • The Bengals enter 2026 with heightened urgency: resources in hand, but major questions on defense after a poor season.
  • "This is it. Everything is kind of... all of it points to it needs to happen now, or there is going to be a lot of questions that no one quite knows the answers to." – Paul Dehner Jr. (04:06)

• What’s Looming:

  • For the first time, there’s a tangible feeling that continuity may end—Zach Taylor's job security, Joe Burrow’s future (albeit unlikely to leave), creation of a new team identity potentially on the horizon.

Spending, Cap, and Team-Building Philosophy

• Conservative Approach to Cap:

  • Bengals have ~$50M in cap space. If they restructured Burrow, could free up ~$20M more, but are reluctant to jeopardize future flexibility.
  • "His [Duke Tobin’s] point was, ‘we have a plan where we don't have to [restructure].’” – Dehner Jr. (09:22)
  • Frustration among fans/media that ownership won’t go “all in” like other teams with star QBs.

• Mid-Tier Free Agency:

  • The Baker’s signature move has been stacking the roster with mid-level free agents rather than stars—a formula that paid off in 2021 (Mike Hilton, Chidobe Awuzie, etc.).
  • “They need floor raisers... bring in floor raisers that can help it so it can't look like last year.” – Dehner Jr. (19:20)

Defensive Overhaul: Where to Spend?

• Defensive Tackle:

  • Top off-season priority, but weak DT free agent/draft class. May need to overpay for John Franklin-Myers-type or try to develop in-house talent.

• Linebacker:

  • Disaster last year fielding two rookie LBs. Urgent need for a veteran stabilizer ("force multiplier"), possibly Bobby Wagner or Demario Davis type to help young guys develop.
  • “Defensive suicide. You can't do that. The defense cannot operate in this league at this moment with guys that don’t know what’s going on…” – Dehner Jr. (15:11)

• Edge Rusher & Youth Dilemma:

  • Pass rush still needs a jump, but unwilling to block first-rounder Shemar Stewart’s growth—difficult balance between urgency and patience.

• Safety, Cornerback:

  • Free agency could offer affordable upgrades at safety; less concern at corner.

The Stakes for Zach Taylor

• Staff Continuity and Pressure:

  • If the defense doesn't rebound, Taylor could be out. “This is it for Zach Taylor, man... it's going to be new coach time in Cincinnati.” – Dehner Jr. (22:55)
  • If Taylor fails with a healthy Burrow/Chase/Higgins core, ownership may rethink the current regime.

• Bengals Head Coach: A Good Job?

  • Unique organizational circumstances (patient ownership, but resource-constrained) mean future HC candidates must adjust expectations—and will get time to figure it out.
  • “Never bet against Joe Burrow, and being with that guy is probably going to work out well for most people.” – Dehner Jr. (25:52)

Baltimore Ravens: “A Franchise at a Fork in the Road”

(30:44–51:44)

New Era Post-Harbaugh

• Regime Change:

  • Jesse Minter replaces John Harbaugh after 18 years; Anthony Weaver back as DC to stabilize shifting staff.
  • “...this was my first head coaching change... most comfortable transfer of power… but it was a really interesting process.” – Jeff Zrebiec (31:26)

• Staff Construction:

  • Unusual number of college coaches on staff, with a focus on player development.
  • Lamar Jackson heavily involved in new OC/DC hiring process.

Financial Headaches, Cap Constraints

• Huge Cap Hits:

  • Lamar Jackson’s $75M cap hit needs to be restructured/extended to create flexibility. Steve Bisciotti suggests adding void years if extension isn’t done by FA.
  • Marlon Humphrey ($26M), Roquan Smith ($32M), and Justin Madubuike ($30M), all have hefty cap numbers.
  • Notably, none of these top players have agents, complicating negotiations.

• Roster Pillars in Flux:

  • Marlon Humphrey very unlikely to return at current number. Madubuike extension is a “head-scratcher”: optimism, but no clarity yet.
  • “They have both an offensive and defensive line that badly need to be fortified... they need a high impact edge rusher.” – Zrebiec (39:45)

Where Will the Ravens Be Aggressive?

• Pass Rusher Priority:

  • After years of middle-of-the-road pass rushers, this could finally be the year the Ravens “take a big swing” (i.e., Jalen Phillips).
  • “[Eric DeCosta] saying, you know what, I know how we do things here…I know how I’ve always done things. We need to change it up a little, get a little more aggressive...” – Zrebiec (41:17)

• Draft and Asset Flexibility:

  • 11 draft picks, including four 5th-rounders, as usual for the Ravens. While they have ammo, they rarely trade up for stars.
  • Retaining Madubuike would be the "biggest addition" they could make.

Offensive Line Dilemma

• Multiple Starting O-Line Holes:
  • Realistic possibility of needing to replace all three interior OL spots. Tyler Linderbaum’s extension talks are delicate; Ravens reportedly have offered a "market-setting" deal, but negotiations are slow.
  • “You better have a plan to replace him... and that plan can’t be using one of those day three picks.” – Zrebiec (49:11)

Organizational Tone

• Feeling the Pressure:
  • After years of steady success, Ravens fans and front office both sense more urgency for bold change.
  • “I think there’s a feeling they need to be more aggressive this offseason... Eric DeCosta... it's kind of on him now.” – Zrebiec (50:28)
  • Look for the Ravens to be more active than usual early in free agency.

Philadelphia Eagles: “Tinkering or True Transition?”

(53:29–end)

Offseason Arrivals & Departures: Coaches and Core Players

• Coaching Turnover:

  • Offensive staff shakeup with Sean Mannion (first-time NFL OC) replacing Brian Johnson and Jeff Stoutland (legendary OL coach) leaving.
  • “He’s the best assistant coach I’ve seen.” – Zach Berman on Stoutland (55:27)
  • Multiple philosophical/schematic changes coming.

• Offensive Core Uncertainty:

  • Speculation around AJ Brown’s future and the health of Dickerson/Johnson generated “smoke” about instability, but Berman emphasizes separating typical physical wear-and-tear concerns from deeper organizational change.

AJ Brown, Cap Strategy, and The Eagles Roster Plan

• AJ Brown Dilemma:

  • Brown’s dissatisfaction could force a trade despite no football reason to do so. If forced, a post-June 1st trade would yield cash savings despite dead money.
  • “They’re not scared of dead money... they really separate the cap and the cash.” – Berman (57:56)
  • Eagles preparing for upcoming waves of young, cost-controlled defensive talent to eventually supplant highly paid offensive stars.

• Star & Rookie Strategy:

  • Notable for avoiding “middle class” deals: fielding a roster of expensive stars, rookies, and minimum/lottery contracts.
  • “Their roster strategy is stars, rookie contracts, and one-year lottery tickets...” – Berman (59:40)
  • Future “stars” like Jalen Phillips (priority to re-sign), less likely they’ll retain mid-tier FAs.

Defensive Needs and Positional Outlook

• Edge & D-Tackle:

  • Jalen Phillips (FA) is a classic "Eagles guy" at premium position, but price matters.
  • “There will be a number that's too high for Jalen Phillips and then they need to pivot.” – Berman (62:40)
  • DT is strong; Campbell’s presence mitigates loss of Nakobe Dean.

• Secondary Holes:

  • Eagles like their “elite” duo of Quinon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean (the latter can play everywhere, but prefers slot).
  • Outside corner opposite Mitchell is unclear; likely a one-year vet again (“this year's Adoree”).
  • Safety spot opposite Drew McKuba is also in flux; Blankenship likely priced out.

• Draft/Positional Trends:

  • TE: Might finally prioritize a true blocking TE under Mannion/new scheme—Eagles have rarely drafted or valued that shape of player.
  • O-line: System change may require more “agility,” but they’re unlikely to shift drafting philosophy much.

Organizational Identity: Range of Outcomes and Internal Mood

• Uncertainty & Experimentation:
  • Sense of intrigue and risk with Manion as OC: no play-calling history means wide range of possible results; staff turnover is the “yearly” expectation but this time brings extra instability.
  • “This is going to be a different offense. You have an offensive lineman of blue chip players... you're taking these guys and you're saying, all right, let's run a different scheme. It could be re-energizing, but it could fall flat.” – Berman (74:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Paul Dehner Jr. on Bengals urgency:
  "I think Bengals fans would be like, I think what's looming over this year is existential dread..." (03:55)

• Jeff Zrebiec on Ravens' OL woes:
  “You can’t just depend on 11 draft picks...to fill some of these holes.” (37:54)

• Zach Berman on Eagles’ cap approach:
  “They’re not scared of dead money...they really separate the cap and the cash.” (57:56)

• Paul Dehner Jr. on Bengals’ coaching future:
  “No one said this, but I think everyone understands: this is it for Zach Taylor, man.” (22:55)

• Robert Mays on Bengals’ perennial tension:
  “The rug is going to get pulled out from under me again.” (21:26)

• Jeff Zrebiec on Ravens’ FO pressure:
  “I expect them to be more aggressive than what we’re used to...because, you know, they don’t like going to the draft with major holes.” (50:34)

• Zach Berman on Eagles’ range of outcomes:
  “Yet another year where it feels like the range of outcomes associated with the Philadelphia Eagles is as wide as you could possibly imagine.” (74:49)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |-----------------------------------------------|-----------|----------| | Bengals: Existential Offseason | 03:11 | 27:40 | | Ravens: New Regime/Cap & Roster Challenges | 30:44 | 51:44 | | Eagles: Coaches, Cap, Core’s Future | 53:29 | 75:01 |

Conclusion

This meticulous episode distills why Bengals, Ravens, and Eagles fans alike are gripping their armrests entering 2026. Each franchise is rich in talent yet facing rare organizational volatility, with bold questions about spending, philosophy, coaching, and identity looming. The season ahead will almost certainly be era-defining for all three teams—successful recalibration could cement their contender status, while failure may trigger regime change and roster upheaval.