Andrew Whitworth applauds changes in Bengals’ philosophy

TL;DR

Andrew Whitworth praises the Cincinnati Bengals for their aggressive offseason moves, indicating a shift in their philosophy towards immediate championship contention. He emphasizes that the team is now fully committed to winning with Joe Burrow in his prime.

Key points

Andrew Whitworth praises Bengals' aggressive offseason moves
Bengals traded a top-10 draft pick for immediate improvement
Team is now viewed as a Super Bowl contender with Joe Burrow

Mentioned in this story

Andrew WhitworthJoe BurrowJa'Marr ChaseTee Higgins

Cincinnati BengalsLos Angeles Rams

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Andrew Whitworth #77 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates following Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images For years, the Cincinnati Bengals were accused of playing it safe, of refusing to push all their chips to the center of the table while Joe Burrow was still in his prime. Now, according to former Bengals offensive lineman and Super Bowl champion Andrew Whitworth, those days are over. “This is the first time in their history, trading a top-10 pick like this,” Whitworth said Wednesday during an appearance on *The Rich Eisen Show*. “They are all in. So now, it’s time to go. There’s no excuses.” Whitworth’s comments came while discussing an aggressive Bengals offseason that signaled a clear shift in organizational philosophy. Cincinnati has spent the last several years trying to balance long-term roster building with the urgency of competing for a championship around Burrow, but this offseason felt different. For one of the franchise’s most respected former players, the message is unmistakable: The Bengals are no longer building toward contention. They believe the window is open right now. The move Whitworth referenced – dealing a top-10 draft selection – represented a rare level of aggression from a front office that historically preferred patience and draft capital preservation. Instead, Cincinnati prioritized immediate roster improvement, reinforcing the idea that the organization views this roster as capable of winning a Super Bowl immediately. That urgency makes sense. The Bengals still possess one of the NFL’s elite quarterback-wide receiver combinations with Burrow throwing to stars like Ja’Marr Chase and . But after defensive struggles and inconsistency in the trenches derailed portions of recent seasons, the pressure entering 2026 intensified dramatically. Whitworth’s “no excuses” comment captured what many around the league already believe. The Bengals are no longer the young underdog story that surprised the NFL with a Super Bowl run. They are an established contender with a franchise quarterback in his prime, a loaded offense, and mounting expectations to finally finish the job. And after an offseason filled with aggressive decisions, patience is no longer part of the conversation.

Q&A

What changes did Andrew Whitworth highlight in the Bengals' approach?

Whitworth noted that the Bengals are now trading top draft picks and making aggressive moves, signaling a commitment to win immediately.

How does Joe Burrow's status affect the Bengals' strategy?

With Burrow in his prime, the Bengals believe they have a championship window open, prompting them to prioritize immediate roster improvement.

What does Whitworth mean by 'no excuses' for the Bengals?

Whitworth's 'no excuses' comment reflects the heightened expectations for the Bengals as they transition from underdogs to established contenders in the NFL.