It has been four years since the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams met in Super Bowl LVI. At the time, the narrative was simple: the Rams were the aging veterans who went "all-in," while the Bengals were the rising dynasty led by Joe Burrow. However, as of February 7, 2026, the reality of the NFL landscape has shifted dramatically. While the Rams are coming off a deep run to the NFC Championship game, the Bengals are picking up the pieces of a frustrating 6-11 campaign in 2025. To return to the elite tier of the AFC, Cincinnati must look at the blueprint laid out by their former Super Bowl rivals.
The Divergent Paths Since Super Bowl LVI
The contrast between these two franchises has never been more apparent than during the 2025 season. The Cincinnati Bengals struggled with consistency, finishing fourth in the AFC North and missing the postseason for the third consecutive year. Meanwhile, the Rams—once thought to be headed for a long-term decline after their championship—have successfully retooled on the fly. Los Angeles proved that losing high-profile veterans doesn't equate to a rebuild if the front office can master the art of the draft.
The divergence highlights a critical lesson in Cincinnati Bengals roster building: the importance of draft efficiency. While Cincinnati has struggled to replace departing starters in the secondary and on the offensive line, the Rams have used a high-volume draft strategy to infuse their roster with cheap, elite talent. As the Bengals look toward the 2026 NFL Draft, the pressure is on the front office to replicate the Rams' success in identifying immediate contributors.
The Rams' Blueprint: A Masterclass in Scouting
The Rams' resurgence wasn't an accident; it was the result of a pivot in philosophy. After years of trading first-round picks, the Rams transitioned into a scouting powerhouse that prioritizes positional value and high-upside athletes in the middle rounds. This strategy has allowed them to remain competitive even as they navigate the massive salary cap hits of their veteran core.
Identifying Defensive Cornerstones
The Rams' 2024 draft class serves as a perfect example of what the Bengals are missing. By selecting edge rusher Jared Verse and defensive tackle Braden Fiske, the Rams rebuilt their defensive front in a single offseason. Both players were instrumental in the Rams' 2025 postseason run, providing the kind of interior pressure and edge setting that the Bengals lacked during their 6-11 slide. The Rams didn't just find starters; they found game-changers who are playing on rookie-scale contracts.
Finding Value in the Mid-to-Late Rounds
Beyond the early rounds, the Rams have consistently hit on Day 2 and Day 3 picks. From finding Puka Nacua in 2023 to identifying secondary depth in the 2025 draft, Los Angeles has built a roster where the bottom half is as competitive as the top. For the Cincinnati Bengals, this is the area of greatest concern. Cincinnati's recent mid-round selections have failed to develop into reliable starters, forcing the team to overspend on aging veterans in free agency to plug holes.
The Bengals' Roster Challenges in 2026
As the Bengals prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, they face a razor-thin margin for error. With Joe Burrow entering the most expensive years of his contract, the team can no longer afford to miss on premium draft assets. The 2025 season exposed a lack of depth that even a healthy Burrow couldn't overcome. While 2025 first-round pick Shemar Stewart showed flashes of dominance on the defensive line, he was often left on an island without sufficient support from the linebacker and safety groups.
Prioritizing the Trenches
If the Bengals are to learn from the Rams, they must prioritize the offensive and defensive lines. The 2025 season saw Burrow under constant duress, a recurring theme that has hampered his career. The Rams' ability to find starters like Braden Fiske in the second round is exactly the type of "hit" the Bengals need in 2026. Cincinnati must stop viewing the draft as a way to find "projects" and start viewing it as a way to find Day 1 starters who can contribute to a championship window.
The Salary Cap Reality
The Rams' model works because it balances high-priced stars with low-cost rookie talent. The Bengals are currently top-heavy, with significant cap space dedicated to a handful of players. To maintain a competitive roster around Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, the Bengals need to hit on at least three starters in the upcoming 2026 draft. This requires a shift away from "safe" picks toward high-upside athletes who can provide surplus value on their rookie deals.
Conclusion: A Pivotal 2026 Offseason
The comparison between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams is a reminder that the window for success is never truly closed if a front office is willing to adapt. The Rams proved that a "rebuild" can happen in real-time if the scouting is elite. For Cincinnati, the 2025 season was a wake-up call. By adopting the Rams' aggressive draft philosophy and focusing on roster depth, the Bengals can ensure that the 2026 season is a return to glory rather than another year of missed potential. The blueprint is there; the Bengals just need to follow it.
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