Why Joe Burrow Is Right-This Is the Most Talented Bengals Team He's Played On
The Bengals have missed the playoffs for three straight seasons, but Joe Burrow believes this year's team can do something that hasn't been accomplished in franchise history-win the Super Bowl.
On Wednesday, Burrow expressed high praise for the moves the Bengals front office made this offseason and the potential this team has. The atypical aggression in adding to t from the franchise came after the Bengals missed the postseason again and Burrow had some notably cryptic comments toward the end of the 2025 season. They delivered by bringing in players in Bryan Cook and Dexter Lawrence that Burrow called the "best free agent safety" and "the best D-tackle in the league" in his opinion.
As such, Burrow went as far as to say, "This is the most talented roster that we have had since I have been here."
While Burrow naturally is going to speak positively on the team he is playing with, especially early in the offseason, these comments are notable. And they aren't wrong.
The Bengals' previous best years under Burrow came in 2021 and 2022, the two times they have made the playoffs with him under center. In both seasons, the Bengals advanced to the AFC championship game, with the ‘21 squad reaching Super Bowl LVI, where they lost to the Rams in a close game.
The rosters from each of those seasons were pretty similar. Here's a break down of the 2021 and 2026 rosters by position, and how what Burrow said stacks up.
Quarterback
| 2021 Bengals | 2026 Bengals |
|---|---|
| QB1 Joe Burrow | QB1 Joe Burrow |
| QB2 Brandon Allen | QB2 Joe Flacco |
Joe Burrow of course remains the starter when healthy. Joe Flacco, however, was a nice addition for the Bengals as a backup last year. Flacco can still play effectively when needed to, and is a more experienced player than Brandon Allen.
Verdict: Slight advantage to 2026 Bengals
Running back
| 2021 Bengals | 2026 Bengals |
|---|---|
| RB1 Joe Mixon | RB1 Chase Brown |
| RB2 Samaje Perine | RB2 Samaje Perine |
Joe Mixon had his best NFL season in 2021, rushing for a career-high 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns while earning Pro Bowl honors. Mixon was a more talented player and prospect than Chase Brown, who he has emerged into a good player in his own right. Brown notched his first 1,000-yard rushing season in 2025 and helped the Bengals offense become more balanced.
Verdict: advantage 2021 Bengals
Wide receiver
| 2021 Bengals | 2026 Bengals |
|---|---|
| WR1 Ja'Marr Chase | WR1 Ja'Marr Chase |
| WR2 Tee Higgins | WR2 Tee Higgins |
| WR3 Tyler Boyd | WR3 Andrei Iosivas |
Like the quarterback position, the most important parts of the receiving core from the 2021 to ‘22 Bengals are the same-Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. While Andrei Iosivas has had some nice moments, Tyler Boyd was an underrated WR3 for the Bengals, recording 828 yards in ‘21 behind 1,000-yard campaigns from Chase and Higgins.
Verdict: Slight advantage to 2021 Bengals
Offensive line
| 2021 Bengals | 2026 Bengals |
|---|---|
| LT: Jonah Williams | LT: Orlando Brown Jr. |
| LG: Quinton Spain | LG: Dylan Fairchild |
| C: Trey Hopkins | C: Ted Karras |
| RG: Hakeem Adeniji | RG: Dalton Risner |
| RT: Riley Reiff | RT: Amarius Mims |
Since the Bengals last postseason appearance, the team has seen significant turnover on the offensive line-and for good reason. Offensive line was a weakness during the early days with Burrow as he was sacked 51 times during the ‘21 campaign. Now, the offensive line is a strength, with the unit giving up just 36 sacks in 2025.
Verdict: major advantage 2026 Bengals
Tight end
| 2021 Bengals | 2026 Bengals |
|---|---|
| Drew Sample | Mike Gesicki |
| C.J. Uzomah | Drew Sample |
Drew Sample remains in Cincinnati, but the Bengals have changed the position group by bringing in veteran Mike Gesicki, who has nice ability as a pass-catcher.
Verdict: advantage 2026 Bengals
Defensive line
| 2021 Bengals | 2026 Bengals |
|---|---|
| DE Sam Hubbard | DE Boye Mafe |
| DT Larry Ogunjobi | DT Dexter Lawrence II |
| DT B.J. Hill | DT Jonathan Allen |
| DE Trey Hendrickson | DE Myles Murphy |
| DT DJ Reader | DE Shemar Stewart |
| DE Cameron Sample | DE Cashius Howell |
The Bengals' defensive line endured a major loss as Trey Hendrickson left in free agency, but they have continued to bolster the unit by bringing in Boye Mafe, Dexter Lawrence II and Jonathan Allen as well as drafting Cashius Howell. The ‘21 Bengals defensive line was more proven, particularly in working together, but the ‘26 Bengals arguably have a more talented unit. All four edge rushers are first or second-round picks and are certainly talented players, even if they have yet to put it together on the field.
Verdict: advantage 2026 Bengals
Linebackers
| 2021 Bengals | 2026 Bengals |
|---|---|
| Logan Wilson | Demetrius Knight Jr. |
| Germaine Pratt | Barrett Carter |
The Bengals' linebacking corpse was rough last season. Their three primary linebackers-Demetrius Knight Jr., Oren Burks and Barrett Carter all ranked between 83rd and 88th out of 88 linebackers, according to PFF. Knight and Carter ranked top-11 in the league in missed tackles, according to Pro Football Reference, while Burks ranked 12th in missed tackle percentage. Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt weren't world beaters in 2021, but at least more consistent and reliable for them during their Super Bowl run.
Verdict: advantage 2021 Bengals
Secondary
| 2021 Bengals | 2026 Bengals |
|---|---|
| CB Eli Apple | CB Dax Hill |
| CB Chidobe Awuzie | CB DJ Turner II |
| SS Von Bell | SS Jordan Battle |
| FS Jessie Bates III | FS Bryan Cook |
| NB Mike Hilton | NB Jalen Davis |
The Bengals improved the secondary by bringing in safety Bryan Cook, but the 2021 Bengals still have the edge thanks to a strong safety tandem in Von Bell and Jessie Bates III. They, along with Mike Hilton, were nice pieces for the defense at the time, earning grades of 70 or higher in coverage per PFF. This new Bengals group has potential-DJ Turner II had his best season in 2025-but have to show that to receive the nod over the ‘21 group.
Verdict: advantage 2021 Bengals
The final verdict
Joe Burrow is right, the 2026 Bengals are the more talented team. The 2021 team certainly has a case, but in terms of talent, this current Bengals squad has a lot going for it-particularly in the trenches where they boast a much improved offensive line and an intriguing defensive line full of players with potential. Even at quarterback, having Joe Flacco as a backup is an important upgrade given Joe Burrow's injury history.
This doesn't mean that the 2026 Bengals will reach the Super Bowl again or even the playoffs. They've added some nice pieces on defense, but the unit needs these players to step up after ranking 32nd in rushing yards allowed and 31st in total yards allowed. This Bengals team is capable of improving defensively and competing, but it will simply come down to how they perform and if Burrow can stay healthy.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Why Joe Burrow Is Right-This Is the Most Talented Bengals Team He's Played On.
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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 5:55 AM.