Report labels Bengals one of NFL's most cursed franchises

Jul 30, 2026, 10:30 AM CUT

CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 04: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow 9 passes the ball during the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 04 Browns at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260104131

According to Bleacher Report, the Cincinnati Bengals might be one of the unluckiest franchises in the NFL right now. The Bengals were labeled as one of the most cursed franchises in the league, and looking at their history, it does seem to hold some truth.

A new report from the Bleacher Report ranked 11 of the most cursed franchises in the league, with writer Brad Gagnon putting the Bengals in ninth place.

"Frequent victims of heartbreak defeats," Gagnon wrote in his July 29 report. "They've more recently fallen on their face three years in a row despite considerable core talent."

CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 04: Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. 75, tight end Drew Sample 89 and guard Dylan Fairchild 63 run onto the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 4, 2026, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA JAN 04 Browns at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260104166

Gagnon mentioned in the July 29 Bleacher Report article how the Bengals have never won a Lombardi Trophy despite reaching the Super Bowl three times.

The Bengals lost to the San Francisco 49ers twice, once in the 1981 playoffs, 21-26, and then again in 1988, 20-13. They also lost the 2021 Super Bowl to the Los Angeles Rams 20-23.

But the "curse" doesn't stop here. The Bengals also lost five consecutive Wild Card rounds in the playoffs from 2011 to 2015.

They last saw the playoff horizon in 2022, when they lost 20-23 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Conference Championship game.

But the Bengals look determined to come back to winning ways this season, and were fierce during the first day of the training camp.

Cincinnati Bengals stars got into a scuffle in day 1 of the training camp

The Bengals have hit an early setback, it seems. On day 1 of training camp, defensive end Shemar Stewart sustained a knee injury during an 11-on-11 team drill and was carted off the field. Meanwhile, another scuffle broke out.

Per ESPN, Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase was involved in a slight tussle with cornerbacks DJ Turner II and Jalen Davis. It ended with Chase hurling Turner's helmet into the air before continuing to argue with Davis.

However, both Turner and Davis later clarified that it was just the players being competitive. Quarterback Joe Burrow also commented on Chase and Turner's altercation.

"If the intensity's not great on day one, then you're in trouble," Burrow said in a post-practice press conference, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. "Those are two of the best in the league, and they're gonna be going at it every day, so whatever those guys need to get and get better, go ahead and do it."

While Stewart's injury is bad news for the Bengals, the intensity shown during their first day of training camp is surely compelling. What remains to be seen is if this energy can propel them deeper into their 2026 playoff run.

The Bengals training camp began on July 26, and will continue till August 16 at the Kettering Health Practice Fields.

Written by

Dhruv Singh

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit