CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals say they believe the team is on the verge of returning to winner status, a view reinforced Monday when executive vice president Katie Blackburn met with reporters to review the offseason and the path ahead, according to Blackburn.
The front office completed two notable moves outside its usual profile: trading the 10th overall pick for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II and restructuring quarterback Joe Burrow’s contract to create additional salary-cap space, according to the Bengals. The Lawrence acquisition followed a season in which Cincinnati’s defense ranked 27th in points allowed per drive.
Elizabeth Blackburn, the team’s vice president, said the Lawrence deal was “on and off the table at different times” and that the club acted when the opportunity presented itself. The team converted $13 million of Burrow’s base salary into a signing bonus, a maneuver that generated more than $10 million in cap room for the coming season, according to the Bengals.
Katie Blackburn framed the moves as part of a timeline tied to maximizing the roster around Burrow. The quarterback’s contract is set to expire in 2029, and the franchise has endured three non-playoff seasons since its Super Bowl run, the team noted. Blackburn said the organization feels it has a strong foundation and that the additions were intended to address pieces that could push the club back toward contention.
The Bengals also addressed concerns about Burrow’s availability. Last season’s turf-toe injury sidelined Burrow for nine games and marked his fourth significant injury across three NFL seasons and his third stint on injured reserve, according to the team. Katie Blackburn said offseason conversations with Burrow were constructive and not contentious.
Citing confidence in the direction of the roster, the front office retained coach Zac Taylor, who will enter his eighth season with Cincinnati, the organization said as it looks ahead to 2026.
