The NFL schedule release is always a time for creativity, and the Cincinnati Bengals used their 2026 video to deliver a pointed message to their AFC North rivals, the Baltimore Ravens. The message? They haven't forgotten the drama surrounding star pass rusher Maxx Crosby.

In a cleverly crafted clip, the Bengals show Crosby sharing a moment with quarterback Joe Burrow, a clear nod to Baltimore's infamous offseason blunder. The Ravens had agreed to trade two first-round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders for Crosby, but the deal fell apart when the 28-year-old defensive end failed his physical in early March. The collapse sent shockwaves through the league, leaving the Raiders scrambling after committing significant cash to new signings under the assumption Crosby was gone.

But the Bengals' trolling goes deeper than just a failed trade. Just 13 hours after backing out of the Crosby deal on March 9, Baltimore swiftly pivoted and signed former Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $128 million contract. While Hendrickson was likely leaving Cincinnati regardless, the timing and speed of the Ravens' move raised eyebrows across the league.

For Bengals fans, this stings on multiple levels. Not only did their division rival land a top-tier edge rusher, but they did so after a failed blockbuster trade that dominated headlines. Hendrickson now joins a Ravens team that narrowly missed the playoffs last season but enters 2026 as the betting favorite to win the AFC North under new head coach Jesse Minter.

Compared to some of the more elaborate schedule release videos around the league, Cincinnati's entry was relatively tame. But for those who know the backstory, the message was unmistakable: the Bengals haven't forgotten, and they're ready to compete. Whether this fuels an already intense rivalry or just gives fans something to talk about until kickoff, one thing is clear—the AFC North just got a lot more interesting.