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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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are conducting a high-profile search for a new offensive coordinator after parting ways with Josh Grizzard following an 8–9 season and a missed playoff berth in 2025. Among the names they’re exploring is Dan Pitcher, the Bengals’ offensive coordinator, who is scheduled to interview with Tampa Bay this week.

Pitcher, 39, has been on the Cincinnati Bengals coaching staff since 2016, ascending from offensive assistant to quarterbacks coach and then offensive coordinator for the past two seasons. Though he holds the OC title in Cincinnati, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor retains play-calling duties, which means Pitcher hasn’t had an opportunity to call plays in regular-season games. Taylor has granted him permission to interview with teams offering play-calling offensive coordinator roles, making the Buccaneers’ opening a potentially significant career move.

The interview represents both an opportunity and a challenge. On paper, it could be seen as a lateral move in terms of job title, but for Pitcher it’s a rare chance to step into a role where he would directly run the offense on game days — something he hasn’t done in Cincinnati. His track record includes helping develop quarterback Joe Burrow into one of the NFL’s premier passers, which is a major selling point for Tampa Bay as they look to revitalize an offense that underperformed in key areas last season.

Tampa Bay’s coaching search has been extensive, with interviews already held with several candidates including former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, Ravens OC Todd Monken, and others. Pitcher adds another experienced offensive mind to that mix as the Buccaneers weigh their next steps.

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This past weekend, the Cincinnati Bearcats stunned the college basketball world by knocking off No. 2 Iowa State in a stunning Big 12 upset. The Bearcats delivered a 79-70 victory over the Cyclones on Saturday at Fifth Third Arena, handing Iowa State its second straight loss after a 16-0 start to the season.

Cincinnati’s win was historic on several fronts. It marked the Bearcats’ first victory over a Top 2 team at home since 1967, a nearly six-decade drought finally broken in front of a raucous home crowd that even stormed the court after the final buzzer. It was also Cincinnati’s best win in over a decade and their first against a top-10 opponent since 2012, giving new life to a season that has had its ups and downs.

The Bearcats played with energy, hitting timely three-pointers and creating havoc on defense. Day Day Thomas led the scoring with 19 points, while Jalen Celestine knocked down four triples off the bench and Baba Miller contributed with key rebounds. Cincinnati forced 12 turnovers from Iowa State, turning those mistakes into 20 points and swinging momentum in their favor.

Despite a career-high 34 points from Iowa State sharpshooter Milan Momcilovic—including eight made threes—the Cyclones couldn’t quite complete their comeback after falling behind early. Iowa State battled back in the second half but ultimately couldn’t overcome Cincinnati’s balanced scoring and home-court energy.

This win doesn’t just go down as a highlight of the season—it’s a defining moment for the Bearcats program under coach Wes Miller, showing they can compete with and beat elite competition.

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Big-name veteran Orlando Brown Jr. is one of the most talked-about potential cap casualties for the Bengals. Brown is an elite left tackle with multiple Pro Bowls on his résumé and remains a cornerstone of Cincinnati’s offensive line, but his contract carries a very heavy cap hit (nearly $22 M in 2026) with limited savings if he’s cut without a post-June designation. That makes him an unlikely cut in a vacuum — the Bengals protect Joe Burrow at all costs — but it also makes Brown one of the few marquee players whose salary structure could make the team at least explore ways to create cap space (like restructuring or tagging a successor) if Cincinnati finds itself tight against the cap in the coming offseason.

On the defensive front, B.J. Hill and T.J. Slaton both have contracts that could draw scrutiny, but they are less likely to be cut purely for performance reasons. Hill just re-signed a multi-year deal, is a veteran starter inside and a locker-room leader, and anchors the defensive tackle rotation. Slaton, signed on a two-year deal in 2025, brings run-stuffing size and depth to a unit that needs bodies. Both have roles in the defensive interior, and the Bengals historically value continuity at the line.

Finally, Oren Burks was brought in on a two-year contract to add experience to a linebacking corps in transition. While he’s not a marquee name, Burks’ role could be in jeopardy if younger players like Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter continue to progress and the team pursues cap savings — linebacker is traditionally easier to replace through the draft or cheaper free-agent signings.

In summary, Brown’s salary makes him the most intriguing “cut candidate” from a cap perspective, even if it’s unlikely in practice; Hill and Slaton are more likely to stick due to role and continuity; and Burks’ spot could be in play if the Bengals pivot toward youth or cheaper alternatives.

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After a disappointing 6-11 season and a third straight year without a playoff appearance, this offseason will be one of the most consequential in recent Bengals history. Cincinnati has chosen stability at the top — head coach Zac Taylor and director of player personnel Duke Tobin will both return — meaning Tobin’s roster construction decisions will be under intense scrutiny.

Defensive talent acquisition will be the top priority. Tobin publicly stated the team needs a significant influx of talent on defense, especially in the pass rush, after struggling to generate pressure and close out games late in the season. He’s highlighted this as a key reason the Bengals lost tight contests and failed to make the playoffs.

Improving leadership on defense and overall toughness is another focus. Tobin emphasized needing players who can lead and execute consistently — something the unit lacked during the 2025 campaign — and may look for veterans in free agency and the draft to provide that.

The offensive line and backup quarterback protection will likely be addressed to keep Burrow healthy; he missed time due to injury in 2025.

Finally, resource allocation and scouting strategy could draw attention: Tobin said Cincinnati won’t expand its historically small scouting department, which has faced criticism for its draft results, especially on defense.

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