Dan Orlovsky Sets Massive Win Expectation for Bengals in 2026

Dan Orlovsky made a very big claim about the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday. The media has had a wide range of opinions on Cincinnati before this upcoming season. From Nick Wright not understanding the hype to Kevin Clark picking the Bengals to play against the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl this coming Valentine’s Day. 

Orlovsky set some very high standards for the Bengals this season. After looking at their schedule, he said anything less than 12, 13, or 14 wins would be a disappointment. He pointed specifically to the Bengals' stretch after the bye, which includes a six-game run against the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints, and the Cleveland Browns. Three of those games take place at home. 

All six games are winnable, as the Bengals are better on paper than each opponent. 

“Everything is on the line: the coach’s job security and Joe Burrow’s future are on the line. The duo of Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase is also in flux,” Orlovsky said. “If you can’t get to 12, 13, 14 wins, that will be a massive disappointment, and there will be significant changes.” 

Orlovsky said the only team with more pressure than the Bengals this upcoming season is the Los Angeles Rams, as they have pushed all their chips into the middle of the table after trading for Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie and signing Kansas City Chiefs corner Jaylen Watson. 

The Bengals have made similar moves, like signing Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook, Jonathan Allen, and trading a first-round pick for interior defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. 

However, the future is what is making Orlovsky think there is so much pressure on the Bengals this season. If they are to miss the playoffs or have a “disappointing” year, he thinks that Zac Taylor could very well be fired, and he isn’t alone in that belief. He also mentioned the widely held belief that if Joe Burrow doesn’t succeed in Cincinnati soon, he may force his way out of the organization. 

If both of those things end up happening, then this would have been the most consequential season in Bengals history. A coach that took them to the Super Bowl and one of, if not the best, quarterbacks in the franchise’s history both gone in one season? 

The Burrow thought could be a stretch; it’s all based on comments he made in the middle of last season about not having fun and asking himself how long he would do something if he wasn’t having fun. However, the Bengals' history of not keeping franchise quarterbacks happy also influences people’s stance on the issue. 

Nevertheless, the Bengals roster and easy schedule give them a chance to have a truly historic season.