We are merely 12 days away from the first practice of training camp and I can already taste the cow brains in the mock turtle soup.We’ve nearly made it, people.As the fan survey showed, there’s as much excitement for this year as for any in a long time, and I’ve felt that from your anticipation over the last month. Or maybe it’s just the wild overreaction to the Dexter Lawrence workout video. Either way, there’s no doubt Bengals fans can’t wait to overreact to every training camp play given how high the hopes are for this year.Inside the OC-HC relationship between Dan Pitcher and Zac TaylorRobert MaysOn that note, the questions had a more concerning tone at some points than I expected, but we all need a little yin to our yang, so let’s do it.(Questions have been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.)I’m curious as to your thoughts on Joe Burrow’s accountability for playing a part in the failure of last season. Of course, the defense was terrible. As a fan, it was still frustrating to hear some of his comments after losses. You know what’s fun? Not throwing back-to-back picks deep in your own territory in Buffalo with a lead. You know what gets laughs? Not getting shut out at home against a divisional opponent with your season on the line. You know what’s a barrel of monkeys? Being on the field. Do you think I’m justified in feeling that way at times? Or am I being too cynical, and I should just shut up and enjoy a QB with this much talent? — Sean C.This will always be the quiet asterisk to every talented Bengals roster until time heals all wounds, quite literally, in the Burrow conversation.This came up last week in the middle of the quarterback ranking madness that took over the shouty shows. And, I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but Bart Scott made a valid point. The reason Burrow ranks fourth is that availability is a factor. It just has to be. Yes, they can be largely unlucky, but there are players who are just injury-prone (I am not putting that label specifically on Burrow!) and it ends up following them, and eventually dooms their careers. I think of Tyler Eifert and John Ross among recent Bengals examples. Quarterbacks such as Sam Bradford and Matthew Stafford battled the label for a while. Even back to Michael Vick and Chad Pennington.Burrow’s injury list is long now, so you have to factor it into the rest of his elite profile. Appendix, calf, ACL, another knee, throat, wrist, toe, finger. He broke his hand at Ohio State. Even in his biggest games, injuries were a part of the moment. He tore cartilage in his ribs in the national title game and sprained his MCL in the Super Bowl.I don’t think Burrow has ever run from this reality. He’s done work every offseason with the idea of sustaining a full season and becoming durable. I think all of that came to a head during the two months he missed after turf toe surgery last year and he went into deeply philosophical thought, running himself through the wringer emotionally.This is not a lack of accountability or a lack of work toward healthier seasons. It’s just football, and the flukiness of so many of his injuries is what makes it so concerning. You can limit the hits, call quick game and not even be playing and still have to worry about a toe or wrist ligament snapping or an appendix bursting.Burrow could easily follow Stafford’s path and turn those early injury-prone whispers into a Hall of Fame career where the early injuries are a mere footnote. No question. And I do not question his awareness and approach to the issue. It’s just part of his story right now until it isn’t. It’s perfectly understandable for that to be reflected in how he’s viewed.The Bengals and this city still shouldn’t trade him for another quarterback on the planet. Both things can be true.Do you think the Bengals have been in touch with any teams about trading for a linebacker? It seems that with the draft behind us and the free-agency well run dry, that is the only available option. It would seem to me to be a sensible use of future draft capital. — Ed M.Why haven’t the Bengals signed a veteran LB and swing tackle yet? For depth/backup/injury insurance at least. Camp is a week away! — Mike D.I guess my biggest questions going into training camp are: do you think the Bengals are going to address some obvious weaknesses? For all the talk of linebacker, and I get it, I think the lack of a swing tackle and starting nickelback is much bigger issues. Do you think they will sign someone of any quality to either of these positions? — Ryan C.Ed, Mike and Ryan, congrats, you hit on the most popular topic in this week’s mailbag. You aren’t wrong; all of those positions could use a veteran insurance policy for depth or competition. I’d currently rank them cornerback, linebacker, swing tackle. But all are on the same priority tier to canvass the league for options. You could arguably throw running back in there, but I’m comfortable with the Chase Brown-Samaje Perine-Tahj Brooks trio at the top.I do think another move is coming. That could be a trade in the Billy Price-B.J. Hill mold, where one of the odd men out on the defensive line fetches a veteran linebacker or corner.They successfully added last year, signing Noah Fant and Dalton Risner during camp, who both contributed during the season, then trading for Joe Flacco. They’ve made deals to fill gaps before, even going back to the 2010 fleecing of the Jaguars, exchanging David Jones for Reggie Nelson.The biggest variable is how the current options look in camp. If Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight struggle or get injured, yeah, they will amp up the aggressiveness at those spots. The same can be said for swing tackle Cody Ford and the battle royale in the back of the corner room.The Bengals’ strategy seems to be to see how things play out in their camp — as well as other teams getting more desperate about their needs — and see if partners emerge. That, along with an intriguing list of available free agents, makes me think an important contributor or two for 2026 is not yet on the roster.Al Golden has described the “Viper” as an edge defender who can set the edge, rush the passer and drop into coverage. With Boye Mafe and Cashius Howell now providing natural fits for that role, and Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight entering Year 2 after extensive rookie experience, how much more multiplicity can Golden build into the defense, and what changes should we expect in the fronts, pressures and coverages he uses? — Harold S.You are exactly right; Golden finally has the pieces he wanted to make his defense work. It reminds me of the 2021 Bengals finally giving Lou Anarumo the types of players he needed, and his game-planning skills as a coordinator started to shine.We don’t know if that will happen with Golden, but we do know he wanted players like Mafe and Howell in his scheme and didn’t have them last year. Hence, you’d see Joseph Ossai or Myles Murphy 15 yards downfield far too often and looking silly because of it.Second-round pick Cashius Howell is one of defensive coordinator Al Golden’s new weapons in 2026. (Frank Bowen IV / Imagn Images)Bringing the “Viper” position to life will give them versatility without substitution, morphing from a 4-3 to a 3-4 in a single shift and having the players to execute it. Plus, the general havoc expected to be created by the defensive line along with familiarity of the system in Year 2 makes everyone a step better.Golden made it clear most of last year he was attempting to run the simplest version of his defense imaginable because that’s what that young group required. He was limited. That won’t be the case this year, so yes, he will be more exotic and multiple. That is the expectation because the players can handle it this time around.Is Chase Brown a member of the Bengals in 2027? — AnonymousLet’s talk contracts, ’tis the season. Yes, I believe Brown will be a member of the Bengals in 2027. First off, what’s not to love about Brown’s game and place in this offense? He’s become a centerpiece of what they do and has challenged Ja’Marr Chase consistently for most scrimmage yards each season.They don’t have anything resembling a transition candidate on the roster, which is their style in populating that position. Maybe Brooks will show more in Year 2, but a more aggressive draft pick would make me think they are considering moving on.They can franchise tag him if they can’t agree. The RB tag is digestible. Running backs were tagged at one year and $14.3 million in 2026, the second-lowest-paid position, only topping specialists. That speaks the Bengals’ language as they continue to work on a potential longer deal for him.He might even sign a deal before this season, but that would largely be dependent on negotiations with the other three prime candidates.There’s a lot of chatter about extensions, particularly DJ Turner. Besides Turner, who else do you think is getting an extension this summer? Myles Murphy, Dax Hill, Chase Brown, Jordan Battle? —Michael P. The smart money is on Turner because he’s the best player of the bunch. His agent also represents Dax Hill and Joey Porter Jr. (the agent also recently changed employers from Athletes First to Win Sports Group). All three of these deals could impact the others, but the Bengals would start by targeting Turner before moving that money elsewhere.That very well could happen; if they can’t find a deal with Turner, for example, they could then turn to Myles Murphy with a sweeter deal than previously offered. Or Brown or Hill. You get the point. It’s just a complicated case of who is willing to accept the offer on the table and who is comfortable betting on himself. Players go different ways with this topic every season, so we’ll see how it plays out in this case. That said, the ideal scenario for the Bengals involves Turner under contract for the foreseeable future.Season ticket holder from Atlanta. I went to the All Access event in June (it was a lot of fun!). I noticed a ton of stadium updates still in process. How are the renovations going? Any rumblings that they will not be done before the season starts? — Carl O.Although every home construction project in the greater Cincinnati area appears to be behind, the Bengals are rolling on schedule. The Cincinnati Music Festival is next weekend, and the projects in Phase One of the renovations in the new lease are substantially done. All systems go for 2026. The renovations are the most extensive since Paycor Stadium opened in 2000. I’d look to hear more about all that in the coming days and weeks.Of the current Bengals players and coaches, who has the yap to cut a good heel or babyface pro wrestling promo? Feel free to offer several people if you wish to do so. — Ed H.All right, Ed, this is what I’m talking about. It’s July, for goodness sake. Frankly, I’m disappointed in how many of you were asking real questions about transactions and renovations. Let’s talk wrestling promo candidates.Here’s my list:1. Ted Karras