The Cincinnati Bengals may soon find themselves at the center of a major relocation saga. During the NFL’s Annual League Meetings, Bengals Executive Vice President Katie Blackburn made a striking statement regarding the team’s lease at Paycor Stadium, which is set to expire on June 30, 2026. The Bengals have an option to extend the lease by two years, but that decision must be made before June 30, 2025.
Blackburn’s comments suggest the franchise is keeping all options open. When asked about the lease situation, she stated, “We play it day by day, and like everything else, we just continue to have discussions, see where things are, and then have to make decisions at the appropriate time.”
However, she followed that up with a much more revealing remark that sent shockwaves through the league.
Blackburn Comments Spark Rumors
“We could, I guess, go wherever we wanted after this year if we didn’t pick up the option,” Blackburn said, via Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
That statement has fueled speculation about the team’s future in Cincinnati. While she also reiterated that the Bengals “love” where they are, she made it clear that stadium maintenance and competitiveness are key concerns.
The Bengals’ lease situation has already created tension between the franchise and Hamilton County. The team has long expressed concerns about the upkeep and modernization of Paycor Stadium, hinting at the need for improvements to stay competitive with other NFL franchises.
Bengals exec Katie Blackburn subtly dropped a bombshell at the league meetings. She mentioned that the team could "go wherever we wanted" after the 2025 season, if the Bengals don't exercise a two-year extension on their Paycor Stadium lease by June 30. https://t.co/dHDgVl8RJM
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 3, 2025
Blackburn addressed this, saying, “Our stadium obviously needs to continue to be maintained appropriately, and you want to keep it at a certain level that’s important, just so that we’re competitive with others.”
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The timing of these comments suggests a public negotiation strategy. By floating the idea of leaving Cincinnati, the Bengals could be applying pressure on Hamilton County officials to secure a more favorable deal. This is a tactic that other NFL teams have used in the past, most notably when the Rams relocated from St. Louis to Los Angeles and the Raiders moved from Oakland to Las Vegas.
Could the Bengals Actually Relocate?
While there is no concrete evidence that the Bengals are seriously considering leaving Cincinnati, their willingness to publicly entertain the idea raises questions. With a franchise quarterback in Joe Burrow and one of the league’s most talented rosters, the team would have no shortage of suitors if it chose to move.
For now, the ball is in Hamilton County’s court. If a new stadium deal or significant upgrades aren’t reached soon, Cincinnati could be in danger of losing its team. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the Bengals remain in Ohio or explore new horizons.
Come down south. Birmingham Bengals has a nice ring to it.