The Cincinnati Bengals head into the 2026 season looking much different after a frustrating 6-11 campaign. Joe Burrow returns with the goal of staying healthy, while the front office has already strengthened one major weakness by bringing in defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
Even so, Cincinnati still has room to improve if it wants to return to playoff contention.
Cincinnati Bengals Are Urged to Add Free Agent Jonnu Smith To Help Joe Burrow in 2026
In his latest report, PFN’s Priyanshu Choudhary identified free agent Jonnu Smith as an ideal addition for Cincinnati, calling him a smart fit for Burrow’s offense.
“Defense was, and remains, the biggest weakness for the Cincinnati Bengals,” Choudhary wrote. “But outside of an elite one-two punch at the wide receiver spot, maybe the best in the entire NFL, Joe Burrow does not have a lot of solid pass-catching options.”
The dynamic pairing of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins arguably forms the league’s premier wide receiver duo, but beyond them, the Cincinnati Bengals’ depth has often sparked debate.
The receiving corps has had to heavily lean on complementary pieces like Andrei Iosivas and their tight end rotation to keep defenses from keying entirely on their superstars. That’s where Smith, who has produced 32 career touchdowns (30 receiving and two rushing), can step in.
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“Smith would fix that in a heartbeat, and an accurate quarterback is the perfect recipe for success for the FIU product,” Choudhary added. “As they try to get back into the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, they’re going to need all the help they can get, and a veteran like Smith might be a smart choice for the franchise.”
Just a year back in 2024, Smith became one of the Miami Dolphins’ most reliable offensive weapons under then-head coach Mike McDaniel. Miami consistently featured the veteran tight end in its passing game, and Smith rewarded that trust with his most productive season as a pro.
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That performance also earned Smith the first Pro Bowl selection of his career. Although his season with the Steelers did not match those numbers, the veteran remains only one year removed from hauling in 88 catches for 884 yards and eight touchdowns.
With Burrow leading the offense, adding a proven playmaker like Smith could be a smart choice if the Bengals want to strengthen their roster and aim for a postseason run.
However, to do that, Burrow needs to stay healthy. Last season, he underwent surgery after suffering a toe injury that sidelined him for nine games. That setback pushed the Bengals into survival mode and eventually led them to trade for Joe Flacco.
Still, Burrow played at a high level once he returned. In eight games in 2025, the Bengals star posted a 100.7 passer rating while throwing for 1,809 yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions. According to PFN’s QB Impact Metric, he posted an impact score of 80.0 last season, ranking 10th in the league.
Cincinnati, however, had already fallen behind in the playoff race at that time. Now, going into the new season, there is optimism. If Burrow stays healthy and the Bengals add a dependable playmaker like Smith, they can do really well.
Only time will tell, though, if the Bengals actually consider this move.
