NFL executives are buying in on the Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) and wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) celebrate the win after overtime of the NFL Week 17 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. The Bengals took a 30-24 win in overtime to remain in the post season chase. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

There has never been a time in the Cincinnati Bengals' history when their fans cared more about how the team is being talked about on the national level. Bengals fans know the national media personalities who praise them, and they know the ones who heavily and unnecessarily criticize them.

But the people Bengals' fans should be the most concerned about are the executives who actually work within the NFL. Jason La Canfora at Fansided said that there are executives in the NFL who believe Burrow and the Bengals could be the biggest threat in the AFC this season after their efforts to improve the pieces around their quarterback. That's nice to hear.

The last time they had a defense, he almost went to the Super Bowl," noted one general manager, and the year before, they probably should have won the Super Bowl. There's no reason for him to not have a huge year."

Then there's this:

I love their offseason," another GM said. They might be the team to beat in the AFC."

Here's the thing: Which team in the AFC is completely trustworthy? I'm not saying the Bengals are, but I am saying that because there may not be a single team that gives the Bengals the opportunity to cash in on a wide-open AFC.

Denver and New England took advantage of favorable schedules in 2025. They both don't have easy schedules this season. The other three teams in the AFC North changed head coaches and have major roster questions. Buffalo changed head coaches. Jacksonville hasn't had sustained year-over-year success ever in its history. Houston has a wildly inconsistent offense.

We have seen the Bengals do it before in a wide-open AFC, in 2021 and 2022. They have the opportunity to do it again this season.