As the Bengals move into the 2026 season, star wide receiver Tee Higgins and emerging running back Chase Brown offered a clear window into the team’s mentality during a recent exclusive interview with us on the Cincy Jungle and The Orange and Black Insider Bengals podcast.
We asked the duo, who graciously joined us via Bounty Paper Towels, ahead of Super Bowl LV, about this team’s mindset heading into 2026 after three straight seasons without making the playoffs. Sozzled? Enthusiastic? Down in the landfills?
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“Yeah, I definitely think it’s going to be more on the ‘hyper-focused’ side, you know, other than making me angry,” Higgins said, a sentiment that reflects a locker room focused not just on talent but on togetherness. “Obviously, we’re pretty bummed that we haven’t made the playoffs in a while, but I think we’re more focused because most of the guys on the offensive side of the ball are coming back.”
Higgins and fellow star receiver Ja’Marr Chase signed long-term deals to remain in Cincinnati last offseason, as did Mike Gesicki. This followed Joe Burrow’s mega-extension in the 2023 offseason, while much of the 2025 starting offensive linemen are also under contract in 2026.
“So obviously we have to refocus and continue to do what we’ve been doing for the last three years and come together as a whole, as a team,” Higgins continued. “Just like if you have special teams, offense and defense working together, you need all of that… as long as we do that, I think we’ll be fine and make it to the end of the season.”
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Cincinnati appeared to be on the verge of creating a dynasty in 2021-2022. However, a lethal combination of injuries to key players, roster attrition, some draft misses and just plain bad luck has caused them to miss the 2023-2025 postseason.
Brown echoed the same confidence, adding, “We’ll be motivated, man,” reinforcing the belief that Cincinnati’s core players aren’t just hopeful: they’re intentional on improvement and execution as the new campaign approaches.
“I’ve had two years where our playoff hopes haven’t been under our control, so definitely the focus this upcoming season is to be in control, start fast and win the games that matter, which is every single one of them.”
Brown also referred to those close, one-score games that have doomed the Bengals the past two seasons as key to a turnaround in 2026. He feels the Bengals are “capable of winning those close games,” it’s just a matter of getting on the right side of those close ones and racking up wins.
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Together, Higgins and Brown paint a picture of a Bengals team that is not content with past successes or failures, but is instead driven by a collective commitment to growth and competitiveness in a stacked AFC North. Of course, the division will look very different this year with three new head coaches (Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh, Todd Monken in Cleveland and Jesse Minter in Baltimore, respectively), but the path to the playoffs will undoubtedly be through great success in the division.
Higgins was a late addition to the Pro Bowl this week, which is well deserved given his nearly 1,000-yard, 11-touchdown season. Brown was a valuable multi-dimensional weapon who should be in line for an offseason extension with the team, like Higgins and Chase last year.
Still, fans should take note: When both offensive weapons speak of unity and purpose so early, it suggests Cincinnati’s mentality is as formidable as its roster. Now it all comes down to putting these words into action.
Our thanks to Tee Higgins, Chase Brown and the great people at Bounty Paper Towels. The Super Bowl is all about watching the big game with family and friends, plus enjoying great food, and Bounty is the perfect companion for your party.
Whether you’re serving wings with sauce, pizza, or other great foods that could leave a mess, have plenty of Bounty on hand at the party! After all, it is “the fastest, grippiest cushion top”!