On today's show, we discuss the Bengals giving Orlando Brown Jr. a 2-year extension, the Bengals refusing to add in free agency after day 1, the Ravens backing out of the Maxx Crosby trade and Cincinnati's collapse against UCF.

The Cincinnati Bengals made an important move Thursday morning by signing veteran left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to a two-year contract extension, ensuring one of the team’s most important offensive linemen remains in Cincinnati for the foreseeable future. The extension keeps Brown under contract through the 2028 NFL season and reinforces the Bengals’ commitment to protecting franchise quarterback Joe Burrow.

Brown, who originally joined the Bengals as a free agent in 2023, has been a cornerstone of the offensive line since arriving in Cincinnati. The veteran tackle has started every game he has played for the team, providing stability at the crucial left tackle position responsible for protecting Burrow’s blind side. Over the past few seasons, Brown has become not only a consistent performer on the field but also a respected leader in the locker room, serving as a team captain and a key voice along the offensive front.

Heading into the 2026 offseason, Brown was entering the final year of his previous contract. Rather than allow their starting left tackle to approach free agency, the Bengals moved quickly to extend him. The decision reflects the organization’s belief that maintaining continuity along the offensive line is essential for the team’s success, especially with Burrow in the middle of his prime years.

The extension also highlights Cincinnati’s broader offseason approach. After missing the playoffs in recent seasons, the franchise has been focused on strengthening its roster and keeping key players in place. By locking up Brown, the Bengals preserve an experienced and reliable protector for their quarterback while maintaining continuity across the offensive line.

At nearly 30 years old and entering his ninth NFL season, Brown remains one of the league’s most established tackles. His combination of size, experience, and leadership has made him a foundational piece of the Bengals’ offense. With this new two-year extension, Cincinnati ensures that Brown will continue anchoring the left side of the line as the team looks to return to playoff contention in the coming seasons.

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Holy (Trap).

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Exercise (Rock).

#Bengals #Reds #TheStoneShieldsShow

On today's show, we react to the Bengals signing Bryan Cook and Boye Mafe during day 1 of NFL free agency and look ahead to some more potential free agent targets for the Bengals. Plus, we recap some of the noteworthy signings from around the league, including Malik Willis to the Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa to the Falcons, Mike Evans to the 49ers and more.

The Cincinnati Bengals made a major statement at the start of the 2026 NFL free agency period by signing edge rusher Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook. The two additions signal a clear effort by Cincinnati’s front office to rebuild and strengthen a defense that struggled in recent seasons.

Cook joins the Bengals on a reported three-year deal worth around $42.5 million after spending the first part of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs. A Cincinnati native and former standout at the University of Cincinnati, Cook returns to his hometown as an established NFL starter. Since entering the league as a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, he has developed into one of the league’s more reliable safeties, known for his physical tackling and consistency in coverage. Over the past few seasons, Cook has accumulated more than 200 tackles and has been praised for his durability and ability to contribute against both the run and the pass. He also brings championship experience to Cincinnati, having won two Super Bowls during his time in Kansas City.

The Bengals also bolstered their pass rush by signing Mafe to a three-year, $60 million contract. Mafe previously played for the Seattle Seahawks after being selected in the second round of the 2022 draft out of the University of Minnesota. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing around 260 pounds, Mafe is known for his athleticism and speed off the edge. During his time in Seattle, he totaled 20 career sacks and became a key rotational defender on a Super Bowl-winning team. His breakout season came in 2023 when he recorded nine sacks, showcasing his potential as a high-impact pass rusher.

Together, the two deals are worth just over $100 million, highlighting Cincinnati’s aggressive approach to fixing its defense. The Bengals struggled with pass rush production and consistency in the secondary in recent seasons, making edge rusher and safety two of their biggest needs entering free agency.

If Cook provides stability on the back end and Mafe develops into a consistent pressure generator, these signings could play a major role in helping the Bengals return to playoff contention in the AFC.

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Holy (Trap).

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Exercise (Rock).

#Bengals #Reds #TheStoneShieldsShow

On today's show, Stone is joined by Miami head coach Travis Steele and they discuss Miami's perfect 31-0 regular season, the MAC tournament beginning tomorrow and Miami's new arena. Also, we react to the Ravens backing out of the Maxx Crosby trade, Trey Hendrickson signing with the Baltimore Ravens and the Bengals ultimately going radio silent the second day of free agency.

Hunter Greene will likely miss the first half of the 2026 season for the Cincinnati Reds after undergoing elbow surgery, a significant setback for a team that expected its ace to anchor the rotation on Opening Day. The 26-year-old right-hander is scheduled to have an arthroscopic procedure to remove bone chips and loose bodies from his throwing elbow, and early projections indicate he may not return until around July.

The issue surfaced during spring training when Greene experienced stiffness in his right elbow following his first Cactus League appearance. After additional imaging and consultations with specialists, including renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the Reds decided surgery was the best course of action. The procedure is expected to sideline Greene for roughly three to four months, effectively keeping him out until the middle of the summer.

For Cincinnati, the timing is particularly unfortunate. Greene was expected to lead a promising rotation after emerging as one of the league’s most electric power pitchers over the past few seasons. Known for his triple-digit fastball, he averaged nearly 100 mph with the pitch in 2025 and has routinely ranked among MLB leaders in pitches thrown over 100 mph. When healthy, he has shown ace-level potential, highlighted by his 2024 All-Star season in which he posted a 2.75 ERA across more than 150 innings.

Injuries, however, have repeatedly interrupted Greene’s development. Prior ailments have included shoulder, hip, groin, and elbow issues, and he has rarely been able to complete a full season workload. The current injury reportedly traces back to discomfort he felt late in the 2025 campaign but attempted to pitch through as the Reds pushed toward the postseason.

Without Greene, Cincinnati will rely heavily on the rest of its rotation to begin the year. Left-hander Andrew Abbott is expected to take the ball on Opening Day, while pitchers like Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, and several young arms may be asked to fill the void until Greene returns.

Despite the setback, the Reds remain hopeful that Greene can return healthy in the second half and provide a major boost during the stretch run of the season.

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Holy (Trap).

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Exercise (Rock).

#Bengals #Reds #TheStoneShieldsShow