The Bengals Have Chosen Their Leaders—Now It’s Time to Win

The 2026 Cincinnati Bengals have officially chosen their leaders—and this year’s group tells us plenty about the identity of the team entering a championship-or-bust season. Anthony and the Rule the Jungle crew react to Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Ted Karras, Dexter Lawrence II, Bryan Cook, DJ Turner II and Evan McPherson being selected as team captains. What does the immediate elevation of Lawrence and Cook say about their impact on the locker room? Has DJ Turner become the new face of the Bengals defense? And can McPherson once again become one of Cincinnati’s biggest weapons? The crew also discusses the latest developments involving Shemar Stewart and Dax Hill, identifies the Bengals facing the most pressure and selects some under-the-radar breakout candidates who could help determine how far Cincinnati goes this season. A new season has arrived. The leadership has been established. Now it’s time for the Bengals to prove they’re ready to win. Follow Rule the Jungle on X at @rulethejungle9 and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.