Chase Brown enters the 2026 season as the Bengals’ clear lead back with no major competition from Samaje Perine or Tahj Brooks, positioning him for a heavy workload behind an offensive line returning all five starters. Cincinnati’s offseason emphasis on under-center runs, play-action, and an improved run scheme—supported by Joe Burrow’s endorsement—has boosted expectations after Brown’s 2025 campaign of 1,019 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. The team’s favorable schedule and healthy passing attack around Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins could create additional scoring opportunities, though red-zone efficiency and any goal-line sharing remain variables in his total rushing touchdowns.