The Cincinnati Bengals are still considering adding more running back help to support Joe Burrow, even with Chase Brown established as the starter. ESPN’s Dan Graziano recently suggested that veteran trade targets like James Conner and Alvin Kamara could be options if Cincinnati seeks another proven presence in the backfield.
Burrow has also improved the team’s salary cap situation by restructuring his contract following the Dexter Lawrence trade, providing the Bengals with greater flexibility as they head into a crucial 2026 season.
The Bengals are clearly focused on this season, and with Joe Burrow healthy, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins forming one of the most threatening wide receiver duos in the NFL, together with Dexter Lawrence adding significant strength to the defense, Cincinnati is aiming to win now.
This ambition creates pressure at the top of the roster but also opens opportunities within. The Bengals don’t need every young player to become a star, as they are looking for a few reliable contributors who can alleviate some of the reliance on Burrow’s exceptional talent. While they can pursue external help at running back and continue refining the defense, the development of their young players might ultimately determine how competitive they become.
Two players stand out as underrated breakout candidates, largely due to their realistic roles.
Andrei Iosivas, WR
Andrei Iosivas may not be completely off the radar, but he is underrated primarily because much of the attention in Cincinnati’s passing game is directed elsewhere. This is understandable because Chase is the superstar, Higgins is a formidable weapon, and Burrow is the driving force. However, the Bengals’ offense operates best when defenses cannot overlook the third receiver, and Iosivas has a genuine opportunity to evolve beyond a complementary role in 2026.
He is currently listed as a first-team wide receiver alongside Chase and Higgins, which is not merely a symbolic position. In Cincinnati’s offensive scheme, the third wide receiver plays a crucial role, especially when defenses attempt to concentrate their coverage on the primary targets, forcing Burrow to rely on timing for passes over the middle, and this is where Iosivas can make a significant impact.
With the size and athleticism to challenge defensive backs in ways that may not be reflected in standard statistics, Iosivas can play on the outside when necessary, but his key contributions may come from exploiting matchups against nickel defenders, safeties, and zone defenses designed to accommodate the more prominent players.
When Burrow has adequate protection, a receiver like Iosivas can become a significant asset in moving the chains, but the main question is consistency. Cincinnati doesn’t expect Iosivas to perform like a No. 1 receiver, but they need him to capitalize on defensive strategies that overcommit to Chase and Higgins.
A few third-down conversions, improved performance in the red zone, and increased trust in option routes could transform the entire dynamic of the offense. While these improvements may not be glamorous, they are essential for enhancing a playoff-caliber passing attack.
This season also represents a pivotal moment for Iosivas, as players in contract years often face closer scrutiny from teams evaluating whether they fit into the long-term plans. Iosivas has already shown enough talent to be in contention for a deeper role; now, he needs to prove he can maintain that position as expectations rise.
The Bengals’ interest in acquiring veteran running backs underscores their goal to bolster support for Burrow, but that support doesn’t have to come solely from the backfield, as a more reliable third receiver can equally enhance their offensive capabilities by forcing defenses to cover all areas of the field.
Tahj Brooks, RB
Tahj Brooks is an intriguing name in Cincinnati’s running back situation, which still feels incomplete. Samaje Perine adds a trusted veteran presence, especially in pass protection and situational football. However, the team is still searching for more depth.
Brooks complicates that conversation, as the Bengals drafted him in the sixth round following a record-setting career at Texas Tech, where he became the program’s all-time leader in rushing yards and 100-yard games. He also brings receiving skills and a reputation for solid pass protection, two traits that are crucial in an offense built around an expensive franchise quarterback.
Young running backs do not earn a spot in Joe Burrow’s backfield by simply running hard, but they must be adept at pass protection, understand defensive pressure, catch the ball cleanly, and avoid turning manageable downs into disasters. A missed blitz pickup can erase weeks of goodwill.
Brooks has the potential to fit this need, of course, and Cincinnati does not require him to replace Mixon, but they need him to be a reliable second or third back who offers the offense different options. His college film demonstrates patience, contact balance, and enough short-area quickness to find openings in shotgun-heavy formations.
This is important to them because the Bengals often operate out of spread formations, and a runner who is comfortable next to a quarterback like Burrow is more likely to thrive in this scheme. While Brooks’ rookie season did not make him a household name, this is not unusual for a sixth-round pick.
The critical question is whether his second year will bring a clearer role, as currently, he is listed behind Perine on the depth chart, but this positioning still places him in a position to contribute. A strong training camp could elevate him from being roster depth to a weekly contributor.
Brooks’ breakout does not need to be dramatic, and a productive season could simply mean eight to ten touches in certain matchups, a short-yardage package, some receiving opportunities, and enough trust in pass protection to keep him on the field. Such a role would lessen the Bengals’ need for veteran help and provide the offense with greater flexibility throughout a long season.
There is also a financial consideration in the end. The Bengals have already invested heavily in star players, and more significant decisions are on the horizon; affordable contributors are essential. A late-round running back who can handle meaningful snaps is valuable as it helps balance a roster filled with expensive talent.
This is why Brooks is worth monitoring, as he may not be the big trade name or the fantasy football headline, but he could already be in the building as the type of back Cincinnati keeps searching for: tough, versatile, affordable, and capable of easing the burden on Burrow.
Cincinnati’s stars are talented enough to make the Bengals competitive, and that has never been the problem.
They already committed significant resources to their marquee talent, so the challenge now lies in identifying affordable, dependable contributions from sources that remain under the radar. This evolution is precisely what transforms a talented depth chart into a formidable postseason threat.
Neither player needs to carry the team on their back, as that responsibility lies with Burrow and the established stars. However, deep playoff teams typically receive meaningful contributions from players who weren’t the most prominent names mentioned in June.
The Bengals have the headline talent. So, their next step may depend on whether emerging players like Iosivas and Brooks become part of the solution before Cincinnati feels the need to shop for additional help.
The Cincinnati Bengals are still considering adding more running back help to support Joe Burrow, even with Chase Brown established as the starter. ESPN’s Dan Graziano recently suggested that veteran trade targets like James Conner and Alvin Kamara could be options if Cincinnati seeks another proven presence in the backfield.