Cincinnati Bengals owner, Mike Brown watches his team during an off-season practice outside of Paycor Stadium Tuesday, May 7, 2024. © Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Cincinnati Bengals have been in the city of Cincinnati since 1968. While their organization has been to the Super Bowl three times (XVI, XXIII, and LVI), they have yet to ever win the big game.
Now there are rumblings that their time in Cincinnati could be nearing an end of a few big decisions aren’t made.
“Wherever We Want” Bengals Future In Cincinnati Gets Shocking Update
Bengals owner Mike Brown and Paycor CEO Raul Villar Jr. cut the ribbon in celebration of the newly renamed Paycor Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, where the Bengals will play their first regular-season home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. © Stephanie Scarbrough/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
A closer look at the Cincinnati Bengals’ future in the city has been provided by executive vice president Katie Blackburn:
Cincinnati Bengals executive Katie Blackburn said that unless the team strikes a deal with Hamilton County on its lease at Paycor Stadium or exercises a two-year extension option, it could “go wherever we wanted.”
According to The Athletic, Blackburn, the daughter of Bengals owner Mike Brown, made the comments at an owner’s meeting in Palm Beach, Florida.
“We could, I guess, go wherever we wanted after this year if we didn’t pick the option up,” Blackburn said.
“We’ll see. Like I said, all these things will be done in due course. We are having discussions, and so we’re hopeful that the county is thinking about it a lot, too, and wants to get it addressed in a way that would be beneficial to both of us.”
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) celebrates after the game-winning touchdown pass to Tee Higgins in overtime of the NFL Week 17 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. The Bengals took a 30-24 win in overtime to remain in the post season chase. © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
One of the biggest non-football questions surrounding the Bengals this offseason is the lease for Paycor Stadium.
Due to the current lease expiring June 30, 2026, a deadline is looming. Hamilton County must be notified at least 12 months in advance if the team wishes to extend its contract for five two-year terms.
There is still time for the franchise to decide whether to sign a two-year extension to remain at Paycor Stadium before June 30, this year. This would certainly be a shocking development if the Bengals left Cincinnati after 57 years.
