Bengals refer to the possibility of relocation – from 2026

Bengals have contract problems, on the ground and outside.

Their lease at the Paycor Stadium will expire on June 30, 2026 – unless they exercise an option to extend it by two years on June 30, 2025.

Katie Blackburn, vice-president of the team, was questioned about the status of the lease during the recent championship meetings.

“We play it day by day, and like everything else, we continue to have discussions, see where things are, then have decisions At the appropriate time, “said Blackburn, via Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati enquire.

If the decision is made not to exercise extension, the Bengals will essentially become geographic free agents after the next season. And they are not shy to say it out loud.

“We could, I suppose, go where we wanted it after this year if we did not picked up the option,” said Blackburn. “So, you know, we will see. As I said, all these things will be done in due time. We have discussions, and we therefore hope that the county thinks a lot too and wanted to do it in a way that would be beneficial for both of us.”

It is a powerful and loaded comment. This implies that Bengals could leave Cincinnati. From next year.

And although she also recognized that “(W) e Love where we are”, she clearly indicated the deeper concerns: “Our stage must obviously continue to be maintained in an appropriate manner, and you want to keep it at a certain level which is important, just so that we are competitive with others.”

Blackburn’s comments come both to a Recent history of tension Between the team and the county of Hamilton. If the two parties do not soon put themselves on the same wavelength, things could become very interesting for Bengals. And for cincinnati. And for the NFL.

And for any city that could be interested in attracting a franchise that includes the Franchise Joe Burrow’s quarterrier to the city.