In all, Tobin added four new projected starters (Lawrence, wide receiver Boye Mafe, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and safety Bryan Cook) on the defensive end and three more linebackers, finally devoting capital to a previously neglected part of the roster. That might be why Burrow is so optimistic about 2026, even without Hendrickson.
Speaking of which, Burrow wasn’t surprised that Hendrickson chose Baltimore as his next stop.
“Because I know Trey, I love Trey,” Burrow said. “I just know how he works.”
He will see Hendrickson in his former teammate’s new uniform under the lights of Paycor Stadium when the Bengals host the Ravens in prime time on New Year’s Eve, Cincinnati’s second-to-last regular-season game in what they hope is a return to the postseason.
“Every time we play the Ravens, it’s a cycle,” Burrow said. “It goes back years, from when Lamar (Jackson) and I were much younger. So it’s always a struggle when we come after him.”
If all goes according to Burrow’s plan, he’ll be flirting with the Bengals’ franchise at that point. The three-time Pro Bowler indicated he is aiming to break the Cincinnati career touchdown record of 204 — held by Andy Dalton — in 2026, a mark that will require Burrow to throw 48 scores this season.
If he achieves that goal, he will likely end up among the NFL MVP finalists.
“You always want to be the league MVP, the Super Bowl MVP, win the Super Bowl,” Burrow said. “All those things are … I’m not necessarily sure I’d say my season-long goal is to do that because you never know how things are going to play out. As far as winning the MVP, a lot has to go right. I’d like to win one eventually, for sure.”
Such a scenario would represent a great achievement for the Bengals, a team that hasn’t tasted the playoffs since 2022. As evidenced by Tobin’s offseason actions, Burrows’ encouraging outlook and his recent admission that the Bengals “have everything we need” is imperative to return to the postseason.
We’ll see if they can finally live up to expectations.