Orlando Brown Jr. Confident Bengals Have NFL’s Best Pass-Protection Unit
The Cincinnati Bengals enter the 2026 season with renewed optimism, and veteran left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. believes one position group could become one of the team’s biggest strengths.
Speaking on the Locked On Bengals podcast, Brown expressed confidence in Cincinnati’s offensive line, calling it the NFL’s top pass-protection unit.
“I really feel like we got the best pass protection unit in the NFL,” Brown said, pointing to the group’s chemistry and consistency despite the challenges it faced last season.
Brown noted that pass protection is among football’s most difficult responsibilities and praised his teammates for maintaining a high standard even while the offense cycled through multiple quarterbacks.
The Bengals experienced instability under center during portions of the 2025 campaign, but the offensive line showed noticeable improvement once Joe Burrow returned to full health and the unit settled into a consistent starting lineup. Cincinnati’s pass protection became increasingly reliable late in the season, helping the offense regain its rhythm.
The projected starting offensive line for 2026 features Orlando Brown Jr. at left tackle, Dylan Fairchild at left guard, Ted Karras at center, Dalton Risner at right guard, and Amarius Mims at right tackle.
Mims is expected to take another step after an encouraging second season, while Fairchild has continued developing into a dependable interior blocker. With experienced veterans surrounding the young talent, the Bengals believe the group can continue building on last year’s progress.
Much of Cincinnati’s offensive success will ultimately depend on Joe Burrow remaining healthy. If the franchise quarterback stays on the field, the Bengals’ offensive line will have another opportunity to prove Brown’s bold claim against some of the NFL’s toughest defenses.
