Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow told reporters, "The Bengals simply need to take care of their business." The team aims to return to playoff contention following offseason roster changes and Burrow's recovery from injuries. The Bengals have missed the playoffs in three consecutive seasons, including the 2023 and 2025 campaigns. Injuries limited Burrow in both the 2023 and 2025 seasons, and he has missed 17 games over the past three seasons. He started all 17 games in the 2024 season, which concluded with a victory over Pittsburgh in Week 18 on January 5, 2025.

Burrow has spent considerable time working under center during the offseason and refining his play-action game. The Bengals have relied heavily on the shotgun formation during his tenure. To create salary cap space, the team restructured Burrow's contract. The Bengals also made several moves on defense, trading for Dexter Lawrence, signing multiple free agents, and investing in defensive talent during the draft. Among the new additions is Kyle Dugger.

ESPN analyst Jason McCourty, who played with Dugger for the New England Patriots in 2020, commented on the safety. "He's a physical freak, and that was the one thing that was so impressive when he first got there," McCourty said. He added, "Big safety can play in the box, but has the range and athleticism in the back end to get sideline to sideline, and I think for Dugger over these last few years, trying to find a fit within different schemes has been a bit of a challenge, and I think for him getting back to the basics, this is a spot where Cincinnati, I think, needed help at the safety position." Dugger recorded a combined nine pass breakups in the 2022 and 2023 seasons but received sub-50 Pro Football Focus grades and recorded two pass breakups over the last two seasons.

McCourty also discussed other defensive players. "Bryan Cook, a sure tackler, I think he's going to help a ton, especially with leadership in the back end, and you get a guy like Dugger, you have (Jordan) Battle there, Geno Stone struggled a little bit a year ago, so getting other guys in there that not only can play out there but also can force communication throughout that back end," McCourty said. Regarding Dugger's versatility, McCourty stated, "I think Dugger, if he can get back to the player he was, he's a chess piece, not that he has to be a starter there, but if you have a guy that you can play in the box in some of those dime situations, but also a guy that you can play in base at safety, that scheme flexibility goes such a long way."

"I think just as an NFL fan, Joe Burrow is one of the very best players in our league," McCourty said. He noted Burrow's enthusiasm for the upcoming season. "So, hearing his excitement about this Cincinnati team, and I think a lot of analysts are excited about the moves they've made on defense, obviously, the returning stars that they have on the offensive side of the ball, but hearing Joe Burrow be that fired up about this team, just his offseason," McCourty said. "He's mentioned the Super Bowl multiple times. He's mentioned winning a ton of games in Cincinnati. I think it goes a long way."