United Dairy Farmers presents Off the Bench, hosted by Chatterbox Sports CEO Trace Fowler. Elliot Riering and Casey McCollister produce Cincinnati’s first local sports show every day of the week. The show is on the Chatterbox Sports YouTube page Monday-Friday from 10 AM to 12 PM EST.
Bearcats Rally Past Ohio State! Cincinnati Wins In Calhoun's Debut
Hosts Nick Niehaus and Eric Lilly analyze the Cincinnati Bearcats' comeback victory over Ohio State in coach Wes Miller's debut, offering insights into the team's resilience.
30 Jan 2026
Bengals Cut Candidates With Craig Sandlin, Top 5 February Cincinnati Sports Storylines
The Cincinnati Bengals’ biggest needs in free agency this offseason center squarely on fixing what went wrong in 2025, particularly on defense and the trenches, and making sure Joe Burrow is protected and supported as the team looks to return to contention in 2026.
1. Defensive Pass Rush & Defensive LineCincinnati’s defense was among the worst in the NFL, and the pass rush was a primary culprit. With veteran Trey Hendrickson likely to test free agency or leave, the Bengals will need to bring in multiple edge rushers or interior disruptors to generate pressure and improve sack production. Analysts suggest targeting veterans or quality starters to rebuild that front seven alongside young pieces.
2. Linebacker Leadership & Run DefenseLinebacker play was inconsistent, and adding a proven, tackling-savvy veteran could stabilize the unit and mentor younger players. Rumored targets like Demario Davis have popped up as potential fits to add leadership and tackling reliability.
3. Secondary Help (Safety/DB Depth)The secondary has been shaky for years, especially after losing key contributors and with potential departures looming. Adding a play-maker or reliable veteran safety should be on the Bengals’ list, complementing a corner group that has some talent but lacks depth.
4. Interior Offensive Line (Guard Help & Protection)While the Bengals fortified their offense around Burrow with extensions for his top receivers, the offensive line—especially at guard—remains a concern. Protecting Burrow and improving the run game will likely necessitate targeting quality interior offensive linemen in free agency or re-signing key contributors such as Dalton Risner.
5. Depth on Run Defense (DT) and Overall Front SevenRun defense rankings were poor, and adding size and disruption inside—whether at defensive tackle or versatile linemen—should be a priority to keep opposing ground games in check.
Overall, the Bengals have cap space to be active, and while offense remains strong, biggest offseason focus in free agency will plausibly be defensive upgrades and offensive line reinforcement to balance the roster and give Cincinnati a chance to compete again.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
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29 Jan 2026
Paul Fritschner On Miami's 21-0 Start + Cincinnati's Future After Win vs. Baylor
The Bengals are entering a pivotal period for locking up key young talent, and Chase Brown is at the top of that list. After a breakout season with over 1,300 scrimmage yards and continued production, Brown has publicly expressed his desire to stay in Cincinnati long-term while his agent and the team have been in ongoing communication about a new contract. Historically, Cincinnati has waited to extend players until they’ve proven themselves—and often until prices inflate, as seen with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins—but Brown seems positioned to be part of that core moving forward. Getting a deal done now could be mutually beneficial: stability for the team and financial security for Brown before he hits unrestricted free agency.
For Dax Hill, the situation is slightly different. The Bengals exercised his fifth-year option for the 2026 season, keeping him under contract through next year. That move shows organizational belief in his upside after a position switch from safety to cornerback, despite an ACL injury. Hill’s extension may not come immediately this offseason—teams often wait to see a full season of production before committing significant new money—but his late-season performance in 2025 could push the Bengals toward long-term talks instead of reaching for a cornerback in the draft.
DJ Turner has arguably the strongest case for an early extension among the three. After a career-best 2025 campaign highlighted by high PFF grades, pass breakups, and interceptions, Turner looks like a foundational piece of the Bengals’ defense. He’s expressed a clear desire to stay long term, and team insiders expect extension talks to start soon. With contracts for Brown and Turner both in play, the Bengals’ front office will need to balance cap flexibility with locking down homegrown contributors in the coming months.
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Holy (Trap).
Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/Track Name Exercise (Rock).
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Inside a recent episode
Bearcats Rally Past Ohio State! Cincinnati Wins In Calhoun's Debut
Published 8 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And we weren't rushing things. We were getting to the line, taking good shots at the rim. And it felt like eight minutes straight of that down the stretch in the house between Riley and Teada. They would just alternate possessions. It was crazy and refreshing to see. and I don't, I'm trying not to get too excited because it was an exhibition, but like you can see how much different it is immediately, like immediately. That was going to be my next point. It almost feels night and day to last year. And actually the last five seasons where I feel like back then under Wes Miller, it's like, Oh no, this thing isn't working. […]
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