Matt’s Take: Interest lost in the Reds; promising signs from Bengals

By Matthew McAdow
HCP columnist

As you already know if you read my column regularly, I watch every single Reds game that I possibly can, but I’d be lying to you if I said I haven’t flipped the channel some recently. I’ve simply lost interest and patience with this organization.  

I usually attend 15 or so games a year, and I think I have been to roughly five this year – with no plans to go back in 2026. It’s sad, as I love the Reds, but the last few series’ completely ended all hope for this team.  

While it has been great to watch Chase Burns, Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, JJ Bleday, and Andrew Abbott this season, they simply just do not have enough depth to contend. I’ll watch Votto call the game this weekend of course, and I believe all the names listed above are star talent – however, you simply cannot have TJ Friedl, Ke’Bryan Hayes, Mike Toglia, Matt McLain, and multiple others in this lineup when they’re failing to produce. Add in the injuries to Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Spencer Steer, Eugenio Suarez, and others that have occurred over this season – and here they are.  

I imagine by the end of the season, they will be close to having the worst record in the National League. If interest is gone from me, a 162-game watcher, the casual fans have lost interest quite some time ago.  

As I have mentioned over and over again, this organization is losing generations of fans. I am tired of talking about the Big Red Machine. I want to talk about a winning team now.  

Promising signs from the Bengals in Game 2 of the preseason

In impressive fashion, the Bengals improved to 2-0 this preseason, as they pulled off an easy 27-9 victory against the Bears.  

While this was a backup game and nearly all starters rested, many young players impressed throughout the entire game. While it is pointless to put too much weight into a preseason game, it is great to see backup players and rookies handle business as they just did against Chicago.  

Positives

Landon Robinson, defensive tackle out of Navy, is an absolute problem for opposing offenses. He recorded 1.5 sacks, has the 10th highest PFF pass rush grade thus far in the league, and three total sacks in 2026.  

Quarterback depth is veteran heavy and I love that. With Johnson and Flacco behind Burrow, this team is loaded with quarterbacks who have been in the league for years.  

Colbie Young looks solid as an explosive outside receiver. His ability to create separation may come in handy if an injury would occur to Higgins (let's hope not).  

Tacario Davis had a solid night and a couple clutch tackles for Cincinnati. 

Tanner Hudson still looks like he will have a role in this offense in 2026-2027.  He can handle multiple different tasks at tight end.  

Evan McPherson nailed a 58-yard field goal and is appearing to look like old McPherson again. He’s yet to miss any and is going to be needed for this offense to have a deep field goal threat in close games.