When it comes to a wide receiver duo, the Cincinnati Bengals have one of the best in the business. At his peak, Ja’Marr Chase is in the running for the NFL’s best receiver. Meanwhile, Tee Higgins is certainly one of the NFL’s best No. 2 receivers.

after this? The wide welcoming corps of the rest of the Bengalis leaves much to be desired. In other words, there is more room for an established playmaker.

recently, Sports IllustratedEva Geitheim had a suggestion that could potentially give the Bengals the third playmaker they are looking for. His idea was to sign three-time All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Bengals.

The point is, Hopkins doesn’t have much left to offer. While the five-time Pro Bowler is one of the most accomplished receivers of this generation with over 13,000 receiving yards to his name, he only put up 330 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games with the Ravens last season.

Is he really the playwright Bengalis are looking for? They may feel like they would be better off continuing to take advantage of the better opportunities they already have on the roster.

Last year, the Bengals’ third receiver, Andrei Iosivas, recorded 435 yards and two touchdowns. Aside from Chase and Higgins, the Bengals did not have any other wide receiver over 150 yards. This year, the Bengals added fourth-round pick Colby Young to the mix, and Cincinnati may feel more inclined to take a chance on the youth on the roster before reaching out to someone like Hopkins.

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Suddenly, the Cincinnati Bengals have shown a willingness to make a big deal. This proved true when Bengals general manager Duke Tobin agreed to send the team’s first-round pick, No. 10 overall, to the New York Giants in exchange for star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

The Bengals were willing to make the move knowing that Lawrence, a three-time Pro Bowl DT, would make a bigger immediate impact than any player coming into the 2026 NFL Draft class. While Bengal are clearly still looking to win, could another experienced player come in?

One player without a contract, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, recently stated his case to join the Bengals, where he wants to team up with Joe Burrow. Hopkins thinks Burrow is “one of the best.” Hopkins named the Bengals QB’s toughness and his history of leading the team to the Super Bowl in Burrow’s second season in the NFL as reasons for his choice.

.@DeAndreHopkins Says he’d like to play with Joe Burrow 🔥 pic.twitter.com/aEJ5mXQMQv

– Sports Illustrated (@SInow) 2 May 2026

While the 33-year-old Hopkins is clearly interested in continuing his football career, there has been no buzz on his market since becoming a free agent.

He has also mentioned interest in reuniting with his former Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray at the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings recently brought in a veteran receiver for a workout, so they’re clearly looking for depth after the NFL Draft as well. Perhaps Hopkins could also be a fit for Minnesota, but he has not expressed any interest yet.

Hopkins spent last season with the Baltimore Ravens, where he caught 22 of 39 targets for 330 yards and two touchdowns. The three-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler hasn’t had a 1,000-yard season since 2023, when he was with the Tennessee Titans.

Clearly still feeling like he has something to prove, the Bengals won’t lose anything by bringing the seven-time 1,000-yard receiver in for a workout. At best, he shows he can be a difference-maker in Cincinnati. If not, the Bengals may feel more confident in the talent they have, confident that their younger options may be better in the long run.

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With eight selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals will soon add a group of youth to the roster. It all starts on April 23, where the Bengals have the 10th overall pick in the first round, and fans have spent the last few months speculating who might be joining Cincinnati.

recently, athleticBengals insider, Paul Dehner Jr. made his prediction. As many other analysts have predicted in the Bengals mock, Dehner predicted that Cincinnati would add to their secondary by making Tennessee cornerback, Jermod McCoy, the tenth overall pick in the first round.

McCoy is considered the second-best cornerback in the 2026 draft class. Nevertheless, he missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL, and he is still viewed as a lock for the first round. It makes one wonder whether he would have been classified as the best cornerback if McCoy had not suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Either way, it shows that the film McCoy put on tape at Oregon State in 2023 and Tennessee in 2024 is strong enough for NFL evaluators to remain very high on his pro prospects. McCoy recorded two interceptions in his first season and four interceptions in his second season. There’s certainly more to come in the NFL, and Cincinnati could be an ideal landing spot for the 6-foot-1, 188-pound corner.

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A top MLB insider believes the Cincinnati Reds will make a bold trade for one of the best two-way players available on the trade market this offseason.

After more progress in 2025 and a return to the postseason for the first time in five years, there are high expectations for Reds Nation heading into the new MLB campaign. They have a good young core led by Eli De La Cruz, and in the offseason, the front office added Eugenio Suárez to add more strength to the lineup and signed Emilio Pagan as their new closer.

With the Milwaukee Brewers potentially taking a step back this season, Reds fans are hoping their team can make an incredible run to the National League Central title this summer. To do that, Cincinnati will likely need to add more talent before this year’s MLB trade deadline. And The Athletic’s Jim Bowden expects a major trade move by the club this summer.

Cincinnati Reds predicted to trade Byron Buxton

“Minnesota Twins star Byron Buxton has waived his no-trade clause and is traded to the Reds at the deadline with two and a half years of control remaining on his contract,” Bowden wrote in a new prediction article ahead of MLB Opening Day 2026.

The two-time All-Star and one-time Gold Glove winner would be a great addition for the Reds. In 2025, he had a big year as he set career highs in home runs (35), runs scored (97), and RBI (83), while adding 25 stolen bases. Furthermore, he is viewed as one of the best defensive midfielders in the American League.

The fact that Bowden believes the 11-year veteran will waive his no-trade clause for Cincinnati reflects the club’s improved profile around the game. While a trade would be expensive, Buxton is just not an on-field fit for the Reds. He is also playing on a reasonable contract. He’s making just $15.2 million annually over the next three seasons.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

After missing the postseason in 2025, the Cincinnati Bengals are doing everything they can to make sure they don’t take another step back in 2026. After losing top pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson in free agency, the Bengals know it won’t be easy. The arrival of Boye Mafe with a $60 million contract will certainly help. But the work of Bengal is not completed.

Recently, the Bengals signed veteran quarterback Josh Johnson to a one-year contract. He joins Joe Burrow and Sean Clifford as the only QBs on Cincinnati’s roster. But Bengals general manager Duke Tobin can’t be included in this position.

according to athleticBengals insider Paul Dehner Jr. says the team is “waiting” for Joe Flacco in free agency.

If the Bengals sign Flacco after already adding Johnson, they will have the oldest group of quarterbacks in the NFL. Flacco is 41, and Johnson isn’t far behind at age 39. Burrows is 29 years old.

Although injuries are always a factor throughout the season, the Bengals are prioritizing experience when it comes to the QB room. Last year’s backup, Jake Browning, has already signed a new deal with the Buccaneers, so no matter what happens, the Bengals’ depth chart at QB will look a little different next year.

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