Cincinnati Bengals captain Ted Karras joins Solomon Wilcots to talk about his mission with the Cincy Hat Foundation, his offseason training, and the team’s mindset. From building opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to breaking down the Bengals’ push to get back to the playoffs, Karras shares insight both on and off the field.

To purchase a hat:
https://thecincyhat.com

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Solomon Wilcots is joined by NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks to break down the Bengals' 2026 NFL Draft strategy and the state of a defense that desperately needs playmakers at every level. Brooks defends his mock draft selection of LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane at #10 overall, but names Ohio State safety Caleb Downs as his ideal pick if available — arguing championship defenses are built strong down the middle, and Downs is the high-IQ, versatile playmaker Cincinnati has lacked since Jessie Bates departed. The conversation turns to the pass rush market, where Brooks evaluates Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor as potential options at #10, delivering a "Robin, not Batman" verdict on this draft class and breaking down whether a Seattle-style pass rush committee is even a realistic model for Cincinnati to build in one offseason. Wilcots then conducts a sobering four-year postmortem on nine defensive picks — including Dax Hill, Myles Murphy, and Shamar Stewart — making the case that a persistent habit of drafting on athletic traits over proven production has left the Bengals without a single difference-maker on that side of the ball. The episode closes with both hosts lamenting the missed opportunity on Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts, now thriving in Atlanta alongside Jessie Bates III — a player Watts idolized and a scheme he already knew under DC Al Golden, making him a perfect fit that Cincinnati passed on entirely.

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Solomon Wilcots opens by endorsing the Bengals' re-signing of Joe Flacco as backup QB, pointing to his strong six-start performance and Joe Burrow's history of missing games over six seasons as justification. The episode's main argument is a pointed critique of the Bengals' cap structure: by front-loading all guaranteed money into year one, they're burning 80% of their free agency cap space upfront versus the NFL average of 50%, which cost them two extra defensive signings — including linebackers Kaden Elliss and Devin Lloyd. Solly warns this self-inflicted linebacker shortage now puts the Bengals in a tough spot at pick 10, potentially forcing them to reach for a position they could have filled in free agency instead of taking the best player available like safety Caleb Downs. He closes with a push for a higher run play percentage to protect both Burrow and the defense in crucial AFC North games.

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Solomon Wilcots is back this week to discuss how Trey Hendrickson has officially joined the Ravens and is no longer a Cincinnati Bengal, as he reflects on his time here, he gets into why it might not be the worst move going forward. In addition, he takes apart some of the Bengals free agent signings so far and says how he feels about them. Listen in to this episode of Bleav in Bengals for a Free Agency recap as well as a slight look forward to the draft!

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Solomon Wilcots reacts to the Bengals’ defensive shakeup after Trey Hendrickson signs with the Baltimore Ravens, breaking down what the move means for Cincinnati’s pass rush and the AFC North rivalry. Wilcots explores whether the Bengals should pursue Maxx Crosby as a potential replacement and discusses the team’s broader defensive needs after a season plagued by missed tackles. He also analyzes key free-agent additions like Brian Cook, possible draft targets such as Caleb Downs, and why the Bengals must prioritize toughness and difference-makers on defense heading into the 2026 season.

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Solomon Wilcots breaks down the NFLPA report card controversy after the NFL filed a grievance to block teams’ grades from going public, and the Bengals’ results raise eyebrows. Cincinnati ranked 28th overall, earning failing grades in food services, nutrition, and family treatment, while the coaching staff and facilities received strong marks.

Solomon also dives into Joe Burrow’s recent comments about “having fun” and what they signal about the organization’s urgency heading into a critical offseason. With three straight missed playoffs, is this a crossroads year for the franchise?

Plus: Combine takeaways, defensive needs, potential draft targets like Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs, and the big question surrounding Trey Hendrickson’s future.

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LIVE from the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Bucky Brooks breaks down the biggest takeaways from Day 1 workouts, spotlighting the defensive linemen and linebackers who are rising up draft boards.
This year’s class is loaded in the trenches, especially at edge rusher and defensive tackle, and teams looking to build through the front seven are in great shape. Bucky emphasizes how the Combine validates what shows up on tape: explosiveness, length, bend, and positional versatility.

• 00:00:00 - Day 1 Front Seven Overview
• 00:01:21 - Caleb Banks (DT, Florida)
• 00:03:55 - Arvell Reese (Edge, Ohio State)
• 00:07:37 - David Bailey (Edge, Texas Tech)
• 00:09:51 - Cashius Howell (Edge, Texas A&M)
• 00:12:18 - TJ Parker (Edge, Clemson)
• 00:13:42 - Malachi Lawrence (Edge, UCF)
• 00:15:59 - Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
• 00:18:13 - Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas)
• 00:19:37 - Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech)
• 00:21:41 - Jake Gold (LB, Cincinnati)
• 00:23:00 - Day 2 Preview & Wrap-up

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Solomon Wilcots is joined by sports business attorney Jesse Taylor for a wide-ranging offseason discussion that blends football evaluation with NFL business realities. The two break down why the Bengals must prioritize defensive difference-makers in the draft, stressing tackling, leadership, and proven production over raw traits. Taylor provides insight into rookie contract guarantees, voiding language, and how teams and agents negotiate leverage, before addressing the controversy surrounding the NFLPA’s player report cards and the league’s attempt to silence them. The episode closes with an in-depth look at Trey Hendrickson’s uncertain future, franchise-tag mechanics, and a broader warning to players about preparing for an impending showdown in the next collective bargaining agreement.

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