Chase Brown enters the 2026 NFL season as the undisputed lead back for the Cincinnati Bengals, with no meaningful additions to the backfield behind him and Samaje Perine in a clear complementary role. The team has emphasized more under-center runs and play-action during training camp and preseason, a shift that aligns with Brown’s efficiency on those concepts and could boost his goal-line opportunities across 17 games. He returns healthy after back-to-back 1,000-yard-from-scrimmage campaigns that included six rushing touchdowns in 2025, while operating in an offense anchored by Joe Burrow and featuring Ja’Marr Chase. Brown’s contract-year motivation and the Bengals’ returning offensive line further support steady volume, though touchdown totals will hinge on red-zone usage, team scoring pace, and injury avoidance in a competitive AFC North schedule.