Caleb Downs gives a strange answer about the Cincinnati Bengals and no one’s sure what it means
Caleb Downs declined to say if the Bengals have talked to him recently. Why?
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs has been an ideal target for the Cincinnati Bengals ever since he declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. Even his brother, NFL wide receiver Josh Downs, wants him to don the stripes.
But what does Downs think about the Bengals? No one’s really sure, and he only enhanced the mystery Wednesday afternoon.
Downs spoke to WLWT’s Jaron May after his workout at OSU’s pro day and was asked if he’s talked to Cincinnati at any point in the pre-draft process.
“No comment,” responded Downs.
Certainly an interesting response, especially since it was reported Downs had a formal meeting with the club at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine last month.
Downs has talked with the Bengals. The team itself sent multiple scouts, defensive coordinator Al Golden, and director of player personnel Duke Tobin to Columbus to watch Downs and fellow future first-rounders Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles show out.
So why the ambiguity now? Let’s speculate.
Caleb Downs may not want everyone to know the Bengals are in on him
The positive answer is Downs is aware of how highly the Bengals think of him and he was told not to comment about his interactions with the team. Detailing that Cincy views him strongly could signal to other interested teams he will not fall past the No. 10 pick in the first round, and encourage those clubs to trade in front of the Bengals to land him.
Downs may want to land in the Queen City. He experienced great success playing in the Buckeye State over the last two years, and sees him fitting in with a secondary that just added hometown product Bryan Cook at one of the safety spots. He knows Jordan Battle is entering a contract year, and by 2027, would be fully locked in as a starter with former OSU backup QB Joe Burrow leading the charge on offense.
Staying silent may be what he (or the team) wants to do so it becomes a reality, but admittedly, this is a bit far-fetched. A simple yes would’ve answered the question without giving anything away. “No comment” just opens up the very doors we’re currently looking through.
Caleb Downs may have not enjoyed talking to the Bengals
On the negative side, maybe his combine meeting with the Bengals brass went absolutely terrible and he doesn’t want to end up with them at all. A practice of “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
Combine interviews are notoriously strange, and perhaps Downs’ experience talking with Cincinnati was unproductive to the point of having nothing but distaste at the memory.
The signing of Cook may’ve also rubbed Downs the wrong way. Does he see a path to him playing immediately in the Bengals’ secondary with Cook and Battle seemingly locked in as starters this year?
Again, pure speculation, but Downs’ answer only begets more questions about his standing with Cincinnati.