“Everything Is on the Line” – Dan Orlovsky Feels Joe Burrow’s Future with Bengals Will Depend on 2026 Season

The Bengals have missed out on the playoffs for three straight seasons. Another failed campaign could see some of the big names leave the team in the next offseason.

“Everything Is on the Line” – Dan Orlovsky Feels Joe Burrow’s Future with Bengals Will Depend on 2026 Season

Joe Burrow and Dan Orlovsky inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

Dan Orlovsky did not mince his words while talking about the Cincinnati Bengals’ chances in 2026. Orlovsky believes everything is on the line for the Bengals.

The Bengals played in the Super Bowl as recently as the 2021-22 season. However, they have qualified for the playoffs just once since then and are currently on a three-year postseason drought. In the recent segment of ESPN’s First Take, Orlovsky noted that if the Bengals don’t deliver in 2026, then several people will lose their place in the organization.

Everything is on the line [for the Bengals]. The coach’s [Zac Taylor] job security and [quarterback] Joe Burrow’s future are on the line. The duo of Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase is also in flux. If you can’t get to 12, 13, 14 wins, that will be a massive disappointment, and there will be significant changes.

Dan Orlovsky said

Orlovsky specifically pointed to the stretch of games after the bye week. Cincinnati will play against the Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders, New Orleans Saints, and Cleveland Browns. On paper, the Bengals boast the better team and should go on a winning run. This will make or break their season.

If the Bengals fail to get back in the playoffs, the brass might make some harsh decisions. After the Bengals missed the playoffs last year, experts predicted the Bengals would fire Zac Taylor and hire someone else. Instead, Taylor has remained in charge. But he’s on borrowed time. According to Sean Pendergast of HoustonPress, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has +700 odds to lose his job in 2026 (third favorite behind Bucs’ Todd Bowles and Jets’ Aaron Glenn).

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Former NFL star predicts Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is among the favorites to lose his job

For the past few years, the Bengals have fielded a very lopsided roster. The offense led by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown is among the best in the league. The defense, on the other hand, has constantly ranked near the bottom of the pile. According to CBS Sports data, the Bengals lost three games after scoring 34+ points in each of the last two seasons (most in the league).

"Everything Is on the Line" - Dan Orlovsky Feels Joe Burrow's Future With Bengals Will Depend on 2026 Season
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor (Image via Yahoo Sports)

They added Dexter Lawrence, one of the premier defensive linemen in football. Despite that, Bleacher Report ranked the Bengals defense 28th out of 32 teams. Former NFL cornerback Bryant McFadden pointed to the defensive issues on CBS Sports. McFadden added that if the Bengals don’t secure playoff football this year, then Zac Taylor will end up losing his job. The reason Taylor is still coaching the AFC North franchise is because of one thing only.

The organization is cheap, and they do not like to spend extra money.

Bryant McFadden said

Taylor is the most experienced head coach in the AFC North after the other teams in the division experienced changes to leadership positions in the offseason. Mike Tomlin stepped down from the Steelers job, Mike McCarthy was appointed. The Ravens severed ties with John Harbaugh and appointed Jesse Minter as head honcho.

The Browns brought in former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as Kevin Stefanski’s replacement. Although Monken is older than the others, the Browns are his first head coaching job.

You gotta understand, the cheapness of the [Bengals] organization kept to see who a year ago, but boy, if he flatlines again, forget about being cheap they might be willing to pay to get him out of the building.

McFadden said

The Bengals lost their preseason opener by a couple of points against the Detroit Lions. Up next, they take on the Chicago Bears and close out the preseason by playing the Philadelphia Eagles.

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