Welcome to 32 teams in 32 days. To get us through the offseason, we’ll be taking a closer look at every team in the league, in order of projected 2023 win totals. Up next: the Bengals.
This might finally be the year that the Bengals capture a Super Bowl title for Cincinnati.
With quarterback Joe Burrow leading the charge, the Bengals have a loaded roster with Pro Bowlers on both sides of the football, including wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
Vincent Carchietta/USA TODAY Sports (left); Katie Stratman/USA TODAY Sports (center); Cara Owsley/The Enquirer/USA TODAY Network (right)
It might finally be time for the Bengals given their biggest rivals, the Chiefs, won the Super Bowl last season, and the league hasn’t had a repeat champion in nearly two decades.
But Kansas City can never be counted out, and the Bengals have plenty of other teams to worry about, with the Bills, Jets, Dolphins, Jaguars, Ravens and Chargers also expected to be in the mix.
Burrow, who might be just as good as the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, has plenty of help in Cincinnati. The team didn’t settle this offseason, making a splash move in free agency by acquiring left tackle Orlando Brown Jr.
Biggest gamble this offseason: Signing Orlando Brown Jr.
One of the biggest surprises from this past offseason was the Chiefs allowing Brown to leave and sign with the Bengals, who likely weren’t expecting the top free-agent left tackle to be available. (Brown signed a four-year, $64 million deal with $43.5 million guaranteed.) The Bengals had the right idea upgrading Burrow’s offensive line, but there might be a few red flags with this signing. The Chiefs weren’t willing to meet Brown’s contract demands, perhaps because they viewed him more as a system fit than as an elite left tackle.
It also doesn’t bode well that Brown had to let potential suitors know he wasn’t interested in playing right tackle. Jonah Williams asked for a trade after the Bengals told him he was moving from left tackle to right tackle this season, but Williams changed his tune last month and participated in the team’s minicamp. With him on board, it might have been the right move to bet on Brown as a top left tackle, giving Burrow with quality bookend tackles.
Toughest stretch of the season: Weeks 6 to 9
The Bengals have a tough six games against AFC North opponents—the Ravens, Steelers and Browns all appear to be playoff contenders. But the Bengals’ toughest stretch of the season doesn’t include divisional opponents. In Week 6, the Bengals host the Seahawks, who have a loaded team after adding first-round picks Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. After a bye week, the Bengals play on the road against the 49ers, arguably the best team in the NFC. To conclude the rugged three-game stretch, NFL fans get Burrow vs. Josh Allen when the Bills travel to Cincinnati.
Breakout player to watch: Safety Dax Hill
Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports
Hill had somewhat of a redshirt rookie season after only starting two games and playing 14% percent of defensive snaps in 2022. He’s expected to play a lot more in his second season with Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell leaving in free agency. In his limited snaps, Hill flashed as a versatile playmaker, playing in the box and slot. His rare speed (he ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash) and ability to play in a variety of coverages made him a first-round draft pick out of Michigan. Hill recorded 16 total tackles and 1 quarterback hit during 130 defensive snaps as a rookie.
Position of strength: Wide receiver
The Bengals might have the best receiving trio in the league with Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. Chase quickly established himself as a star receiver during his rookie season in 2021, but his numbers declined a bit last year (87 catches, 1,046 yards and nine touchdowns) after missing five games with a hip injury. On most teams, 6'4" Higgins would be a No. 1 target; he’s recorded more than 1,000 receiving yards over the past two seasons. And finally, the Bengals believe they would have beaten the Chiefs if Boyd never got hurt in the AFC championship game—that’s how valuable the last part of their trio is.
Position of weakness: Secondary
Hill could have a breakout season, but the safeties might have to go through an adjustment period with Bates and Bell gone. Nick Scott, who played with the Rams the past four seasons, is penciled in to start next to Hill. Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie is recovering from an ACL tear and only played in eight games last season. The inexperienced Cam Taylor-Britt is expected to start opposite Awuzie. If Taylor-Britt struggles to find his footing, the Bengals could also turn to DJ Turner II, the team’s 2023 second-round pick.
X-factor: RB Chase Brown
Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
Brown, a fifth-round pick this year, could be thrust into a starting role for his rookie season if the Bengals decide to cut veteran Joe Mixon, who has a cap hit of $12.79 million. Regardless of how the Mixon situation develops before training camp, the Bengals are going to need Brown to fill the void of Samaje Perine, the versatile No. 2 running back who left to sign with the Broncos in free agency. Brown rushed for 1,643 yards and 10 touchdowns during his final season with Illinois.
Sleeper fantasy pick: TE Irv Smith Jr.
Smith has been a fantasy sleeper in the past, but he’s never met expectations. He’s now landed in a good spot with the Bengals, in an explosive offense that will score a ton of points. Smith could turn into a nice late-round, matchup-based No. 2 tight end in drafts. —Michael Fabiano, SI Fantasy
Best bet: Take the over on Joe Burrow’s 33.5 passing TDs
Burrow threw 34 passing TDs in 2021 and 35 in ’22, and he could throw even more this season with the division-rival Ravens and Browns expected to be competitive. Burrow will give Mahomes a run for his money for MVP this season. —Jennifer Piacenti, SI Betting
