The 2016 season was the Cincinnati Bengals' 47th in the National Football League (NFL), their 49th overall and their 14th under head coach Marvin Lewis.

[7] On March 4, the Bengals signed wide receiver Brandon Tate to a one-year extension through 2017 worth $1,024,000.

[9] On May 17, the Bengals signed safety Shawn Williams to a four-year extension through 2020 worth $19.5 million.

[11] On August 2, the Bengals signed tight end Ryan Hewitt to a three-year extension through 2019 worth $7.5 million.

[12] The first transactions of the year occurred shortly after the conclusion of the 2015 regular season on January 8, when the Bengals signed kicker Zach Hocker, defensive end Dezmond Johnson and safety Floyd Raven to Reserve/Future contracts.

[13] On January 11, the Bengals signed wide receiver Michael Bennett and Jake Kumerow, offensive lineman Trey Hopkins, linebacker Jeff Luc and Jayson DiManche, and tight end Matt Lengel to reserve/future contracts.

[15][16] On February 8, the Bengals signed Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Darryl Baldwin and New York Giants cornerback Chykie Brown.

[20] On May 8, the Bengals signed four undrafted free agents: kicker Jonathan Brown (Louisville), linebacker Gionni Paul (Utah), offensive lineman Trip Thurman (Florida), and cornerback Corey Tindal (Marshall).

[27] Of the Bengals' unrestricted free agents, wide receiver Mohamed Sanu signed a 5-year $40 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons on March 11.

[28] On the same day, wide receiver Marvin Jones signed a 5-year $40 million contract with the Detroit Lions.

[33] On July 26, defensive end Dezmond Johnson and undrafted free agent running back DyShawn Mobley were released.

In a hard fought affair, Andy Dalton threw for 366 yards and a touchdown, but was sacked a career-high seven times.

The Bengals trailed by one with just over three minutes left in the game, but Dalton completed all four of his passes for 33 yards to set up Mike Nugent's go-ahead field goal with 54 seconds remaining.

Three plays into the ensuing Jets' drive, Bengals' defensive back Josh Shaw recorded his first interception, picking off Ryan Fitzpatrick on a 3rd and 10 to seal a third straight season-opening victory for Cincinnati as they started 1–0.

All three of the Bengals' red zone trips resulted in Mike Nugent field goals, while Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw three touchdowns.

With just under seven minutes left in the game, Roethlisberger tossed a four-yard touchdown to running back DeAngelo Williams that gave Pittsburgh a 24–9 lead.

The Bengals responded, however, as Andy Dalton drove Cincinnati to a quick score, finding Giovani Bernard on a 25-yard touchdown to make it 24–16.

It appeared Boyd 's knee was down before he lost control of the ball on a hit by James Harrison, but upon review, the call stood and the Bengals dropped to 1–1.

Hosting the defending Super Bowl champion Broncos, Andy Dalton's 300-yard streak was stopped, throwing for just 206 yards.

Newly acquired Brandon LaFell returned to New England for the first time after leaving the Patriots in the offseason.