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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

A Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals fan are seen prior to a game at Paycor Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. There is snow all around them.

The Bengals Left It To Their Fans To Clean Up The Snow

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Ja'Marr Chase faces Jalen Ramsey after spitting on him.

Ja’Marr Chase Thought He Got Away With Spitting On Jalen Ramsey

CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 02: Chase Brown #30 of the Cincinnati Bengals leaps over Kevin Byard III #31 of the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter in the game at Paycor Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Brown is completely upside down, back to the camera, legs in the air, looking like his flip will continue to land him on his back. Both Bears players are looking at him. One is on the ground, behind him, looking up. The other is reaching toward Brown. In the background is a full stadium of people, and from the orange it's clear it's the Bengals stadium.

Move Over World Series, The Bears And Bengals Are Playing

Ray Ratto

Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts after striking out Randy Arozarena #56 of the Seattle Mariners in the fifth inning during Game Four of the American League Championship Series. He is making "the Tim Robinson face."

Night Of The Old Guy

Quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals gets sacked during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, at Paycor Stadium on December 1, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2025: Cincinnati Bengals

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after beating the Denver Broncos 30-24 in overtime at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Jamboroo

We Must Free Joe Burrow

Luis Paez-Pumar

J.K. Dobbins #27 of the Los Angeles Chargers jumps and dives to score a touchdown during an NFL Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Inglewood, California.

Bengals-Chargers Was A Thrilling Mess Of A Sunday Nighter

Israel Daramola

Going For Two Is Always The Correct Call

Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The image is blurry in an artful way.

America Needs More Ravens/Bengals Football

Samer Kalaf

Jerod Mayo smiles as the Patriots beat the Bengals in Week 1

The Patriots Spoil The Bengals’ Party

Sarah York

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks toward the sideline during the preseason game against the against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Cincinnati Bengals on August 10, 2024, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Cincinnati Bengals

Nick Mullens throws the ball directly into the face of the player who is sacking him.

Nick Mullens Tossed The Interception Of A Lifetime

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 04: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars is helped up by head coach Doug Pederson after being injured against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at EverBank Stadium on December 04, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)

That Was A Painfully Jaguarian Drive

Joe Burrow walks off the field during the AFC Championship NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo.

Why Your Team Sucks 2023: Cincinnati Bengals

Joseph Ossai hits Patrick Mahomes late in the AFC Championship game

The Bengals’ Season Came Down To One Late Hit

David Roth

Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts leaves the field after his team demolished the New York Giants in the NFL Divisional Round.

Podcasts

The Eagles Butt-Push Maneuver And Mike McCarthy’s Anti-Comedy, With Kalyn Kahler

Tom Ley

Tyler Huntley attempts a quarterback sneak.

Tyler Huntley Did The Bad Thing

CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 2: A Paycor Stadium video board reads that the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals is suspended due to an injury sustained by Bills safety Damar Hamlin #3 during the first quarter of an NFL football game on January 2, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Football Games Aren’t Mandatory

An announcement is displayed on the scoreboard after the game was temporarily suspended following the collapse of Damar Hamlin #3 of the Buffalo Bills after making a tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Interviews

A Fan At The Bills-Bengals Game Describes The Scene When Damar Hamlin’s Heart Stopped

NFL Exec Troy Vincent Claims League Never Intended To Restart Bills-Bengals Game

Buffalo Bills players react after teammate Damar Hamlin #3 was injured against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter at Paycor Stadium on January 02, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Bills-Bengals Game Postponed After Safety Damar Hamlin Collapses On Field

You can follow Will on Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/Senn_Spud" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@Senn_Spud</a>), Instagram (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/will_sennett/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@will_sennett</a>), and TikTok (<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@will_sennett" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@will_sennett</a>). You can listen to his podcast, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-closer-look-podcast/id1561306479" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Closer Look</a>, wherever you get your podcasts.