Bengals Stars Higgins and Brown Outline Path Back to Super Bowl

With QB Joe Burrow healthy, Cincinnati's offensive stars share what the team must do to return to the big game.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 6:39pm

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins and running back Chase Brown have outlined what the team needs to do to make a return trip to the Super Bowl next season. After reaching the Super Bowl in 2021 and 2022, the Bengals struggled with slow starts the past two seasons, going 6-11 in 2025. With Burrow healthy, Higgins and Brown say the key is starting faster and playing together as a team from the beginning of the year.

Why it matters

The Bengals have been one of the AFC's top contenders the past few seasons, reaching the Super Bowl twice. However, their inability to get off to strong starts has prevented them from sustaining that success. With their core offensive stars in place, a healthy Burrow, and an easier schedule, the Bengals have a prime opportunity to recapture their championship form next season.

The details

Higgins and Brown both emphasized the importance of the Bengals starting faster next season. In 2023 and 2024, Cincinnati started slowly, going 1-3 and 1-4 respectively, before finding their stride later in the year. Last season, the Bengals won their first two games but then lost 10 of their next 12. Burrow's health has also been a factor, as he missed significant time in 2023 and 2025 due to injuries. With Burrow, Higgins, and Brown all healthy and the team's key offensive pieces locked up long-term, the Bengals believe they can get back to the Super Bowl if they can just put it all together from the start.

  • The Bengals started the 2023 season 1-3.
  • The Bengals started the 2024 season 1-4.
  • The Bengals started the 2025 season 2-0 before losing 10 of their next 12 games.

The players

Tee Higgins

A wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals who has been a key part of their offense the past few seasons.

Chase Brown

The Bengals' starting running back who has been a workhorse in their backfield.

Joe Burrow

The Bengals' star quarterback who has led the team to the Super Bowl twice in the past four seasons.

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What they’re saying

“I think just playing together at the beginning of the season and just starting faster than we usually do. Obviously, the past few years, we've been getting it going a little late, and it's been a little bit too late, you know what I mean? So hopefully next year, we put it all together and get it going early.”

— Tee Higgins, Wide Receiver

“We've got to fire on all cylinders. I think we put a big emphasis on starting fast, and we did. We won some games at the start of the year, but they weren't exactly wins that we kind of walked away feeling like, 'Okay, that was good.' But we're a hard team to beat when we're firing on all cylinders offensively and defensively. So, that's what I look forward to, doing that and winning a lot of games.”

— Chase Brown, Running Back

What’s next

The Bengals' 2026 schedule has not been announced yet, but they will face the AFC and NFC South divisions in addition to their AFC North rivals.

The takeaway

The Bengals have the talent to return to the Super Bowl, but their inability to start seasons strongly has held them back the past two years. If they can get off to faster starts and stay healthy, especially with quarterback Joe Burrow, Cincinnati has a prime opportunity to recapture its championship form and make another deep playoff run.