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 Line Cincinnati’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 Defense Linebacker 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 Seven Run 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.

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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.

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The Miami University (Ohio) RedHawks men’s basketball team has taken the college basketball world by surprise, improving to an undefeated 21–0 record with a dramatic 86-84 win over UMass that kept their perfect season alive.

That victory — marked by a career-high 30 points from junior guard Eian Elmer — wasn’t just another win; it underscored Miami’s resilience and ability to close out tight games. The RedHawks trailed in the second half before rallying to secure the two-point triumph, with contributions also coming from playmakers like Peter Suder and freshman Justin Kirby.

At 21–0, Miami is now one of only a handful of unbeaten teams in Division I this season — a rare feat in modern college basketball. Their perfect record also ties the longest in-season winning streak in Mid-American Conference history, matching the 2001-02 Kent State squad and rewriting the RedHawks’ own program lore.

Under fourth-year head coach Travis Steele, Miami has blended efficient offense with timely defense, building its success on team cohesion rather than one standout star. The RedHawks have been particularly strong in MAC play, sitting atop the conference at 9–0 as of their latest game.

Despite facing questions about strength of schedule — a common challenge for mid-majors — Miami’s unbeaten run has earned national respect, reflected in their ranking in both the AP and Coach polls. With March approaching, the big storyline isn’t just whether the RedHawks can keep their perfect season alive, but how deep they can go in the postseason and whether they can silence doubters about mid-major legitimacy.