The Cincinnati Reds have been quietly linked in recent MLB offseason buzz to potential reunions with two familiar faces: third baseman Eugenio Suárez and outfielder Austin Hays. According to multiple reports, Cincinnati’s front office is exploring ways to bolster its lineup ahead of the 2026 season, and both players represent intriguing options for a club that is trying to balance competitiveness with cost and roster flexibility.

Suárez, a veteran slugger who spent the bulk of his most productive years with the Reds before moving on to the Arizona Diamondbacks, has been connected to Cincinnati in trade chatter. At the 2025 trade deadline there was mutual interest reported between Cincinnati and Arizona in a deal to bring Suárez back to Cincinnati, where he once provided significant power from the hot corner. Sources have described his potential return not just as a nostalgic move for fans, but as a real way to add middle-of-the-order pop to a lineup that struggled to produce big offensive numbers.

On the free-agent side, Austin Hays is another name the Reds could target. Hays played for Cincinnati in 2025 after the club declined his mutual option for 2026, making him a free agent this winter. He slashed a respectable line with 15 home runs and provided solid outfield defense, and Reds management is reportedly considering whether a reunion would make sense if the two sides can find agreeable terms.

While neither move is confirmed, and financial or roster implications remain key factors in any decision, the interest suggests the Reds are eyeing a mix of proven veterans and internal youth as they shape their 2026 roster around young stars like Elly De La Cruz and Noelvi Marte.

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The Bills’ end-of-season press conference, led by owner Terry Pegula and president/GM Brandon Beane, turned into a public relations disaster. Rather than offering a clear plan or unified message after firing head coach Sean McDermott, the event quickly devolved into blame-shifting, confusing narratives, and emotional oversharing. Pegula openly described firing McDermott based on an emotional reaction to the recent playoff loss, recounting how he saw quarterback Josh Allen “crying” and decided to pull the trigger on a coach who delivered years of winning seasons. He also publicly blamed McDermott and the coaching staff for drafting wide receiver Keon Coleman — a claim that both contradicted conventional accountability norms and put an active player in an awkward spotlight.

That kind of public airing of internal disputes is rare at the NFL executive level. Bills leadership seemed defensive and inconsistent, at times undermining each other’s authority and revealing more about internal dysfunction than any coherent vision for the franchise. Even some reports suggest players — including Allen — were reportedly unhappy with how the situation was presented and that Allen wasn’t consulted before the firing was announced.

Against that backdrop, the Cincinnati Bengals immediately appear more disciplined and stable. The Bengals’ leadership, including owner Mike Brown and coach/performance staff, have a reputation for not spectacularly botching press interactions or publicly airing internal frustrations. While Cincinnati isn’t perfect and sometimes keeps tight lips, the team avoids public spectacles that make front office dysfunction look like a headline story — which is exactly what happened in Buffalo. Fans and pundits alike now point out that even if Bengals executives aren’t exuberously communicative, they’ve never staged a press event that spiraled into a spectacle of blame and contradictions.

In short, Buffalo’s chaotic press conference unintentionally raises the bar for what we consider “competent communication” in the NFL — and by that measure, the Bengals look organized by comparison.

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Caleb Downs — Versatile Defensive Playmaker Downs is widely regarded as one of the top defensive prospects in the 2026 class and could be the best pure defender available at No. 10. He’s a unanimous All-American with a resume featuring Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors and award recognition like the Jim Thorpe and Lott Trophies for nation’s top defensive back. Downs combines elite football IQ, instincts, range, and physicality—allowing him to defend the run, cover receivers, and make plays all over the field. Scouts praise him for his coverage versatility, ability to diagnose offenses quickly, and leadership as a secondary commander. He’s played in multiple roles (deep safety, box, nickel) operating like a defensive coordinator on the field. That rare blend makes him a potential day-one starter with All-Pro ceiling, a tone-setter for Cincinnati’s secondary.

Rueben Bain Jr. — High-Motor, Disruptive Edge Rusher Bain is one of the most exciting edge defenders in this draft cycle—everywhere from mock drafts to big board rankings slot him near the top for pass-rush talent. He’s physical against the run and rushes the passer with power and leverage, and his 275-pound frame with a relentless motor gives him a three-down feel. Bain has produced pressure and sacks at a high clip during big games, showcasing a toolkit that translates well to NFL front sevens. His ability to set the edge or slide inside on passing downs adds a versatile element to a defensive line that could further complement the Bengals’ front.

David Bailey — Explosive Pass-Rush Specialist Bailey is a pure pass-rushing threat who terrorized opponents in 2025, leading many analytic boards in pressures and sacks. With elite burst off the snap, bend around the edge, and a developing arsenal of moves, he’s the kind of playmaker who can generate game-changing pressure on opposing quarterbacks. For a Bengals team that has looked to boost its pass rush—especially after middling pressure numbers last season—Bailey offers a high-upside rotational edge or eventual starter who can flip momentum with splash plays.

In short, Downs delivers defensive backbone and versatility, Bain combines power and disruptive presence on the edge, and Bailey brings elite, momentum-shifting pass-rush ability—all compelling fits for Cincinnati depending on how the draft board falls and what specific defensive holes they prioritize at No. 10.

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Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Exercise (Rock).

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