Bengals Announce Retired Fan-Favorite Player as a 2026 Ruler of the Jungle

The Bengals are welcoming back a key member of the 2021 Super Bowl team as Ruler of the Jungle for Week 4 of the 2026 season. C.J. Uzomah just retired as a Bengal today and will lead the big cheer against the Jaguars.

The 10-year veteran got drafted by the Bengals in 2015 with the 157th overall pick in the fifth round out of Auburn.

Uzomah, 33, is at practice today and sent a heartfelt goodbye message to fans.

"History has a way of repeating itself, and there’s no place I’d want to formally announce my retirement than the place that started it all for me and gave me my chance," Uzomah posted on X today. "The place I will always think of as my second home and will always hold a special place in me and my family’s heart. The place where we won a playoff game for the first time since before I was born, and went on an odds-defying run to the Super Bowl. A place where I’ve met people who have become like brothers to me. Cincinnati, thank you for everything. Who Dey Forever."

It mirrored his goodbye message back in 2022.

"I've had a difficult time putting into words what this city has meant to my family and me over the years," Uzomah penned. "As I look back on my time in this organization, I couldn't be more proud of what we have accomplished together. I came into this city 7 years ago as a boy, and I am leaving now as a man. You have allowed this goofy kid to be himself. I couldn't be more grateful for that. I want to start by thanking the Brown Family for taking a chance on me and allowing me to grow as a player and a person.

"To my guys in the locker room - every one of you that I've ever stepped on the field and fought with - I will forever cherish the battles we had together. To the coaches I've learned from who have become my mentors and the trainers I've worked with who have become my family, I say thank you. I am blessed to have you and so many others, whose relationships will last a lifetime. I truly wouldn't be the man I am today without your constant love, support, and encouragement."

Meanwhile, Cincinnati is back at work on Monday afternoon with a looming final preseason game on Friday against Philadelphia.

Zac Taylor detailed what the next few days will look like for Cincinnati before getting close to a game-week schedule starting next week.

"These next two days I still look at like a training camp format," Taylor said. "I know the day has changed for you all and us, but I'm still really focused on getting some stuff installed and ironing out some stuff that we've been working on in the last 25 days."

Your Week 4 Ruler of the Jungle.

🔗: https://t.co/BV1we6IBbt pic.twitter.com/MWOoDAEIBp
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 24, 2026

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