"This is the year": Bengals' $5.3M safety drops honest admission ahead of 2026 season

Jun 30, 2026, 2:45 AM CUT

Sep 29, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cincinnati Bengals safety Jordan Battle (27) warms up before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

For the Cincinnati Bengals, it has been three long years since they last made the NFL playoffs. Over those three seasons, the team has a disappointing 24-27 record. While fans are tired of losing, the situation is even tougher for safety Jordan Battle.

Despite a great college career with a 48-6 record, since the Bengals drafted him in 2023, the $5.3M safety has only played in regular-season games. Missing the playoffs is a harsh reality that deeply bothers him.

“I obviously have to play in the playoff game,” Battle said, speaking on the Bengals Booth Podcast. "And I feel like this is the year to do it. Then not just one playoff game. I want to play in a divisional, the conference, and then the Super Bowl as well.”

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (29) dances with Cincinnati Bengals safety Jordan Battle (27) after making a stop on third down in the first quarter of the NFL football game between Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Nov. 2, 2025.

During the Bengals Booth podcast, Battle made his goals clear ahead of the 2026 season. He finds much more confidence in the team after the Bengals' front office has made big moves this offseason to change their luck.

To fix the defense, Cincinnati brought in major talent, including Dexter Lawrence II, Jonathan Allen, Kyle Dugger, Bryan Cook, Ja’Sir Taylor, and Boye Mafe.

So far in his career, Battle has recorded 140 tackles and six interceptions. While he posted a 61.5 PFF grade last year, he is focused on a much bigger prize this season.

For Battle and the new-look Bengals defense, the time to win is right now.

Jordan Battle has found his comfort in Bryan Cook

Jordan Battle is heading into his fourth year playing for the Cincinnati Bengals. In his talk on the Bengals Booth Podcast, he shared his thoughts on the team's newest defensive player, Bryan Cook.

Battle believes Cook is going to be a massive help to the team's defense this year. Cook is known for making huge plays and working hard. He is always trying to figure out how to make things run smoothly for the rest of the players on defense.

Battle said Cook is a great communicator who isn't afraid to talk to the staff to get a better handle on the game plan.

"(He's) always asking questions to the coaches to see if there are things you can implement,” Battle mentioned in the same Bengals Booth Podcast. “To make things a little easier and have more confidence going onto the field."

Cook played for four years with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he won two Super Bowl rings. There, the safety recorded 238 total tackles, 15 passes defended, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries across 62 regular-season games.

With such an impressive record, the Bengals are hoping he can bring that same winning energy to their own defense.

What do you think, Bengals fans? Will the addition of Bryan Cook and a revamped defense be enough to punch Cincinnati's ticket back to the playoffs or maybe even the Super Bowl? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Aaindri Thakuri

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore