One of the first offseason moves for the Cincinnati Bengals comes on the offensive side of the ball.
The Bengals have signed tight end Tanner Hudson to a one-year contract extension through the 2026 season.
Hudson, who will be seven-year veteran in the NFL, has played 38 games for the Bengals. He caught 77 passes for 674 yards and four touchdowns, including 19 catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns in 2025.
“Hudson has emerged as a consistent pass-catcher and a reliable safety valve for the offense, earning the trust of the coaching staff during a year of high volatility at the quarterback position,” Yago Antunes wrote in a Clutch Sports article. “By securing his services through the 2026 season, the team provides Joe Burrow with a proven target as they look to rebuild their offensive identity and return to the high-scoring production that defined their previous Super Bowl run.”
Cincinnati Bengals Remain Loaded on Offense
Hudson will stay in a tight end room featuring Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, Erick All, and Cam Grandy. Hudson will be a solid part of an impressive pass-catching group through the 2026 season.
In 2025, the Bengals signed Ja’Maar Chase and Tee Higgins to lucrative long-term contracts with Chase signing a four-year $161 million extension and Higgins signing a four-year, $115 million deal, being the highest paid wide receiver duo in the NFL.
Chase is coming off a vintage 2025 season where he was named First Team All-Pro, hauling in 125 catches for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns. Tee Higgins had 59 catches for 846 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in 15 games.
Running Back Chase Brown rushed for 1,019 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in 17 games.
GettyTee Higgins #5, Ja’Marr Chase #1, and Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals.
For the past three years, offense has not been the issue for the Bengals.
During the 2024 season, the Bengals had the first-ranked passing offense in the NFL off of an impressive season from Joe Burrow. In 2025, they ranked 6th with Joe Burrow being out for the vast majority of the season.
The problem for the Bengals has been on the defensive side of the ball ranking 31st in total defense in the 2025 season. They ranked 26th in passing defense and 32nd in rushing defense which is dead last.
Can Joe Burrow Stay Healthy?
Joe Burrow has proven to be a top quarterback in the NFL, but Burrow’s inability to stay on the field has been an issue.
Injuries have plagued Joe Burrow over the years which have contributed to the Bengals lack of success, including the 2025 season where the Bengals finished the season 6-11.
Burrow suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury which kept him out for 9 games in 2025. During the 2023 season, Burrow suffered a torn ligament in his right wrist which caused him to miss the rest of the 2023 season. He also suffered a significant knee injury in his rookie year.
The Bengals have had success with Burrow being on field appearing in a Super Bowl in 2021 and an AFC Championship game appearance in 2022.
Now that Tanner Hudson is inked through the 2026 season, the Bengals will hope to get back to the playoffs with another weapon on Burrow’s belt.
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