After a lackluster last season, can the Bengals reclaim former glory this year?

Last season ended in disappointment for the Cincinnati Bengals. A team that had captured the AFC North Division and reached the conference championship games over the two previous seasons, the Bengals failed to qualify for the postseason in 2023.  

The final image of the Bengals franchise star was of quarterback Joe Burrow in street clothes on the sidelines with his wrist encased in a protective cast. On the opening day of Bengals training camp this year, Burrow arrived presenting a fresh image to usher in the new season. The Bengals signal caller sported a platinum blond buzz cut, evoking comparisons to Eminem on social media. Was it just that Burrow wanted to approach the new year with a different look or was he sending a message? To quote Slim Shady, was Burrow saying, “Guess who’s back?” to the league? 

In that spirit, perhaps it is appropriate to preview the Bengals 2024 season in the style of a mixtape. Kids call it a playlist these days, but I prefer the more labor-intensive effort that was required in the 80s and 90s to construct a cassette tape mix of favorite songs. Relying on key lyrics from the artists’ songs, we will set the tone to highlight critical storylines that will define the Bengals forthcoming season. 

“The moment, you own it, you better never let it go. You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime.”  (Lose Yourself by Eminem) 

The Bengals have only gotten significant contributions from a handful of players over the last few draft classes (2022-23). The Bengals need the young talent that they’ve invested significant draft capital on to develop and materialize. Many will get their shot. 

Dax Hill, the Bengals first overall pick in 2022, was a disappointment last season at safety. In the offseason, he converted to cornerback and has demonstrated promise in his new position during the preseason. It’ll be either Hill or 2023 second round pick, DJ Turner II, who fills the starting cornerback position opposite Cam Taylor-Britt to replace last year’s starter, Chidobe Awuzie, who left in free agency. 

The Bengals needed to see continued pass-rushing production from last year’s first overall selection, Myles Murphy, but Murphy will begin the season on Injured Reserve having suffered a knee injury in camp. Two late round selections in last year’s draft class will be featured in the offense: Chase Brown should see significant time in the backfield alongside free agent acquisition Zack Moss. Former Harvard decathlete, Andrei Iosivas, has been a standout in camp, continuing to make great strides in his development with even Burrow raving “Andrei’s going to have a big year.” 

Perhaps there’s no more important young player to the Bengals future than offensive tackle, Amarius Mims, the Bengals first overall pick this year. Mims has incredible measurables, monster size, phenomenal length, great athleticism and huge potential. He demonstrated that potential early in camp before getting injured during the first preseason game. Mims should return early this season and hopefully see important reps in providing critical protection for the Bengals franchise quarterback. Which of these young players will emerge this season to play important roles for the Bengals?  

“Let’s, let’s stay together. Loving you whether, whether times are good or bad, happy or sad.” (Let’s Stay Together by Al Green) 

Times have not always been the greatest for the relationship between the Bengals and their two top wide receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, during a tumultuous offseason. 

Lacking negotiation towards a long-term deal and then receiving the franchise tag, Higgins requested to be traded out of Cincinnati. Higgins opted out of offseason team activities as the situation dragged on. Tee watched as other wide receivers received long term deals who were in his similar situation. Higgins eventually signed the tag for $21.8 million and made clear his plan to show up full go at the start of training camp. 

This is very likely Higgins’ swan song in Cincinnati, and he is motivated to make the most of it.   

While Higgins has participated in training camp, Ja’Marr Chase has not. Eschewing his helmet and shoulder pads for street clothes, Chase has been a spectator on the sidelines to pressure the Bengals front office to deliver a new long-term deal like many of his draft class counterparts have received in recent months. 

Chase is entering the final season of his rookie contract and is likely angling for an extension that would make him among the highest paid players in the league at his position. After being a “hold-in” for all of camp, Chase practiced on the field for a day with Zac Taylor telling reporters that the plan was for Chase to continue practicing. 

The very next day, Chase showed up again in street clothes. “Every day is a new day,” Taylor said of the situation. “We are working through it. I am not going to make any predictions to what tomorrow brings.” 

The Bengals identity on offense since 2021 has been the aerial attack and chemistry between Burrow, Chase and Higgins. With both star receivers not entirely thrilled with the business side of football right now, what effect might that have on the offense this season? 

“Said, woman, take it slow, it’ll work itself out fine. All we need is just a little patience. Said, sugar, make it slow and we’ll come together fine. All we need is just a little patience.”  (Patience by Guns N’ Roses) 

Last year, the Cincinnati defense really tested the patience of Bengals fans. 

The Bengals gave up the 2nd most yards of any defense in the league last season and were plagued all year by giving up explosive plays. The Bengals lacked inconsistency and coverage instincts at safety. Additionally, they failed to consistently play sound assignment football in the secondary. The Bengals addressed those weaknesses by totally reshaping the safety room through free agency.  

The Bengals signed Geno Stone away from the Baltimore Ravens, who they targeted because of his anticipation skills that resulted in seven interceptions last season, the second highest total in the league. 

The Bengals also brought back veteran safety Vonn Bell. Bell was an instrumental leader of the Bengals defense during their two playoff runs in 2021 and 2022 before departing last season to play with the Carolina Panthers. When the Panthers cut Bell this offseason, Lou Anarumo quickly came calling to return Bell to the fold. Bell is trustworthy and reliable and should improve the overall communication on the backend of the Bengals defense. The interior defensive line got gashed on multiple occasions by explosive plays last season, particularly when D.J. Reader was not on the field. 

To replace Reader, who departed in free agency this offseason, the Bengals are counting on a rotation of players. The Bengals acquired Sheldon Rankins to provide the interior pass rush that was sorely lacking for most of last season. Will these new pieces address the critical weaknesses that were consistently exposed in the Bengals defense last season? 

“Dream on, dream on, dream on. Dream until your dreams come true.” (Dream On by Aerosmith) 

After having the toughest schedule in the NFL last year, the Bengals have one of the easier schedules this season. 

The Bengals will be featured in five prime time games this year, including two each on Monday and Thursday nights. The Bengals projected win total this year is 10.5, but the Bengals have become notoriously bad at starting the season well in recent years. However, this year’s schedule positions them favorably to have a successful start. 

Four of the Bengals first six opponents have projected season win totals of 6.5 or worse. I foresee the Bengals going 5-1 in those first 6 games with the only loss coming at Kansas City in week 2. I anticipate additional losses on the road to Cleveland, Baltimore and Pittsburgh and at home against Philadelphia. Overall, I project the Bengals to finish the season with a 12-5 overall record — exceeding their projected win total and likely capturing another AFC North division title. 

The AFC North will be featured in new episodes of HBO’s acclaimed sports documentary series Hard Knocks during the season. “We don’t think — we know — this is the best division in football,” Zac Taylor said of the AFC North. Does winning the best division in football position the Bengals for another Super Bowl run? 

“Let’s give them something to talk about.” (Something to Talk About by Bonnie Raitt) 

Joe Burrow says people have forgotten about him.   

In an interview on the popular podcast, Pardon My Take, over the summer, Burrow shared his thoughts about not being more prominently mentioned in conversations about the league’s best quarterbacks.   

“That’s what happens when you get hurt,” he said. “You don’t play football, people forget about you…I love the spot I’m in…You’re not out there, people aren’t watching you, then there’s nothing to talk about. I’m going to give people something to talk about this year.” 

New haircut but still the same old Joe Cool swagger and confidence. But now with an extra dose of motivation. What does that mean for the Bengals fortunes in 2024? We shall see soon.   

Who-Dey?! 

Jon Bunch is an avid life-long Bengals fanatic. Raised in the 740. West Pointer, Army and Iraq War veteran. Passionate evangelist of the Who-Dey spirit. @WhoDeyBunch