Bengals Great Whitworth Says Team Needs 'Elite Starter' in Draft to Contend

Former offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth and ex-QB Ryan Fitzpatrick discuss Cincinnati's window to win in the AFC North.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:48pm

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Former Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, a three-time Pro Bowler, believes the team needs to hit a "home run" in the upcoming NFL Draft to maximize their chances of contending in the AFC North. Whitworth, who is set to be inducted into the Bengals' Ring of Honor, said on the "Fitz & Whit" podcast that the team is "a player behind here or there" and needs to land an "elite starter" in the draft to take the next step. Whitworth's co-host, ex-NFL QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, agreed that as long as star QB Joe Burrow stays healthy, the Bengals' offense will be strong, but the team needs to focus on improving the defense, which ranked 31st in total yards last season.

Why it matters

The Bengals are looking to build on their success from recent seasons and challenge for the AFC North title, but they face a changing landscape in the division with new head coaches in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Baltimore. Whitworth's comments highlight the importance of the upcoming draft for Cincinnati as they try to take advantage of their window to contend while Burrow is in his prime.

The details

The Bengals finished 6-11 and in third place in the AFC North in 2025, with Burrow missing nine games due to a foot injury. Cincinnati has been active in free agency this offseason, signing pass rusher Boye Mafe, safety Bryan Cook, and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen in an effort to bolster their defense. Most experts predict the Bengals will focus on defense in the draft as well, with potential first-round targets including Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, Miami pass rusher Rueben Bain Jr., Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, and LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.

  • The Bengals finished 6-11 and in third place in the AFC North in 2025.
  • Burrow missed nine games in 2025 after suffering a foot injury in Week 2.

The players

Andrew Whitworth

A former offensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals, Whitworth played 11 seasons for the team and was selected to three Pro Bowls. He is set to be inducted into the Bengals' Ring of Honor.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

A journeyman NFL quarterback who co-hosts the "Fitz & Whit" podcast with Whitworth, providing analysis on the league.

Joe Burrow

The star quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals, Burrow missed nine games in 2025 due to a foot injury.

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What they’re saying

“If you wanna talk about a window … Cincinnati has a window.”

— Andrew Whitworth

“As long as Joe Burrow's healthy, we know what kind of offense that's gonna be.”

— Ryan Fitzpatrick

“They need to hit on a young guy who can play significant snaps this season to get that next step. I just think they're a player behind here or there. They need some elite starter in this draft.”

— Andrew Whitworth

The takeaway

The Bengals have a window to contend in the AFC North, but they need to capitalize on the draft to bolster their defense and support star quarterback Joe Burrow. Whitworth's comments highlight the importance of the team hitting on an "elite starter" in the upcoming draft to take the next step and challenge for the division title.