As expected, the Bengals dug themselves too big a hole despite a five-game winning streak to end the year. This concludes their second straight playoff-less 9-8 campaign, except this one is much worse because it had a healthy Burrow (except for possible Weeks 1-2 rust off last year's injury) all season. In fact, they were the first team ever to have the passing, receiving and sack leader - to not even make the playoffs with that means some heads need to roll and they did with the firings of DC Lou Anarumo, DL coach Marion Hobby, LB coach James Bettcher and OL coach Frank Pollack as mentioned above. Here are some thoughts on almost everyone and where things stand going forward:
QB
Joe Burrow – put together his best season and should be an MVP candidate in a world where wins and losses aren't a QB stat. Yes, having two bigtime WRs certainly help but he did it without Higgins for five games, his best lineman not finishing among their top five OL in snaps, the worst guard tandem in the league and a scheme that makes life very hard on the QB - to be fair, he wants it that way. This should be the team's absolute floor as long as he plays like this and he will have them back on Championship Sunday sooner than later if they can build properly around him.
RB
Chase Brown – second-year back was a legit RB1 down the stretch after being stuck in a committee to open the year, averaging 24 touches a game his last eight games while being near the top in success rate despite a bad OL and contributing in the passing game. I don't think he's a true bell cow, but he’s definitely the heavy half of a committee and should be in store for a big year.
Zack Moss – FA signee was stuck in mud before season-ending neck injury in practice midway through the year. Should be an easy cut going into the last year of his deal.
Khalil Herbert – midseason acquisition for seventh-rounder handled himself decently, including last game of the season with Brown out. Not the bruiser they’d ideally have as a complement to Brown, but wouldn’t mind seeing him back as a third back and an option at kick returner.
WR
Ja’Marr Chase – superstar ascended to league WR1 after winning triple crown in age 24 season. They’ll have to back up the truck for him even more after failing to extend him this offseason, but he’s worth all of it and more.
Tee Higgins – played on the franchise tag and missed five games, but probably had his best year when he was on the field. It was a foregone conclusion forever he was gone after this year, but he fired Bengals nemesis agent David Mulugheta and moved to Rocky Arceneaux who also represents Chase. Burrow has spoken multiple times publicly in the last month how important he is – I expect them to work on a long-term deal the next few weeks and franchise him again, if necessary, with the expectation of doing so.
Andrei Iosivas – second-year sixth-rounder proved pleasant surprise as WR3, converting his athleticism into production and continuing to be a red zone weapon as he has 10 career TDs in under 1200 snaps.
Jermaine Burton – absolute nightmare scenario for rookie third-rounder, as emotional maturity issues rendered themselves in being a disciplinary inactive for two games, one of which he missed a walkthrough where he was going to be WR2 that week and the last game of the season as he’s apparently been evicted. It wasn’t any better on the field, as he was rarely ever on the same page as Burrow. I suppose he carved out a role as a good kick returner, but that’s it. I’d still try to salvage something, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s cut and the chances of ever being a significant contributor have taken a huge hit.
Charlie Jones – second-year fourth-rounder had another lost season with ineffectiveness and injury. Already 26, it’s getting very late early and will have to fight for a spot next year.
Isaiah Williams – midseason scrap-heap pickup showed some juice in the kick and punt return games and could have a gadget role on offense with a full offseason.
TE
Mike Gesicki – played for his third team in as many years, but did a good job and essentially was Higgins’ replacement in the games he missed. He might price himself out as Burrow has gotten JAG TEs (CJ Uzomah and Hayden Hurst) paid, but would like to have him back if the price is reasonable.
Drew Sample – blocking extraordinaire should be back in second year of three-year deal.
Erick All – rookie fourth-rounder was coming along as their most complete TE in forever before tearing same ACL again in November. The ceiling is still there if he can rebound, but that’s three major injuries in as many years and obviously can’t be counted on.
Tanner Hudson – journeyman TE came on a bit down the stretch last year, but had absolute killer fumble Week 1 and doesn’t know where to line up half the time. I don’t want to see him in stripes again.
OL
Orlando Brown Jr. – stalwart LT had missed one game due to injury in six years prior to this year before hurting his leg Week 7 (which turned out to be at least partially broken) and having the team stupidly rush him back the next week before missing a month and looking terrible when he came back, being shut down again for another few weeks and playing as well as he could (a shutout against Nik Bonitto on one leg isn’t too bad) the last two weeks. It’s a real shame he got hurt, as he was playing maybe his best ball before then. Unfortunately, it becomes a concern now as a huge guy with a lower-body injury heading into age 29 season.
Cordell Volson – third-year guard was headed into sink or swim season and, well, he sunk. You just cannot have a guard with this lack of athleticism (who can’t pick up a simple stunt either) in an offense with this many true pass sets, and the Bengals finally realized it as he was benched at the end of the year when their five best linemen were healthy. He shouldn’t even be part of a competition heading into his last year of rookie deal and should be relegated to a reserve role and maybe as an extra OL in jumbo sets.
Ted Karras – leader of OL got one-year extension through next year after minicamp. Doesn’t provide much in the run game due to lack of athleticism but holds up well enough in protection. I imagine this will be his final year coming up at 32.
Alex Cappa – was worth every penny in 2022 when they signed him 30 seconds into free agency, but leg injury at end of that year has torpedoed his career. Like Volson, he simply cannot be counted on in this offense and was on his ass more times than I could count. He’s a slam-dunk cut candidate with one year left on his deal.
Amarius Mims – rookie first-rounder showed his ceiling after being inserted into the lineup Week 3, as he’s pretty much immovable while having really quick feet. He was beaten a few times on inside moves and needs to get better in the run game, but the franchise tackle ability is certainly there. Unfortunately, health continues to be an issue as he missed a bunch of the preseason and the first two games with a pec injury and then broke his hand late.
Cody Ford – reserve OL did as well as he could I suppose in three different spots, but you don’t want him playing as many snaps as he did. Ideally, he’s just a reserve guard as he heads back to free agency.
DE
Trey Hendrickson – longtime dominant pass rusher won the sack title and has a shot at DPOY in a year where there are no true standout candidates. Heading into the final year of his deal with a one-year extension at age 30, but I would have no qualms extending him again – they need to, because he’s not going to be as nice as he was this past offseason about requesting a trade.
Sam Hubbard – played his second straight year through a major injury and looked completely finished. The single biggest culprit of why they had zero pass rush outside Hendrickson and has to be cut with one year left on his deal heading into age 30 season.
Myles Murphy – second-year first-rounder was poised for a breakout season but it was anything but. Knee sprain in preseason had him on IR to start the year and he’s just been unable to disengage from OL which is how you end up with zero sacks. Hopefully a new DC who won’t bury him and DL coach who can get the most out of him will unlock his potential, as he still just turned 23.
Joseph Ossai – struggled through various injuries his first three years but put best year together in final year of rookie deal playing inside in nickel packages. I think he’ll be a very good FA signing for someone as he’s still only 24, but I don’t think it’ll be the Bengals as he’s represented by Mulugheta.
Cedric Johnson – rookie sixth-rounder made a couple plays down the stretch. I think he has nickel rusher ceiling which hopefully new DL coach can realize.
DT
BJ Hill – was clearly their second-best defender (damning with faint praise a little) but he could still play in final year of three-year deal. Unfortunately, I think he’s going to be priced out as they need to get younger and cheaper there with more pass rush. He can still play the run really well though.
Sheldon Rankins – marquee FA signing was complete bust before going down with an illness right before Week 11 and was never seen or heard from again – another slam-dunk cut with one year left on deal.
Kris Jenkins Jr. – rookie second-rounder had a tough start missing first two games with a thumb injury and then having to play with a club for a couple games. Definitely flashed some as a run defender, but pass rush was pretty nonexistent and needs to improve there.
McKinnley Jackson – rookie third-rounder was probably a little overdrafted (the analytics community certainly thought so) but put together some of his best games down the stretch after missing the first month due to a knee injury. Excited to see what he can do in his second year.
LB
Logan Wilson – had another down year in coverage, which is probably an issue now headed into age 29 season as he also missed the last month with a knee injury. Would like to see them invest a little there (which they haven’t in forever) and restock the cupboard.
Germaine Pratt – has made a ton of big plays in his career but looked incredibly slow in sixth year and I hope they cut him with one year left, especially with new DC and LB coach.
Akeem Davis-Gaither – played decently down the stretch filling in for Wilson and is special teams stalwart. Played this year on one-year deal and I hope they bring him back.
CB
Cam Taylor-Britt – formerly ascending player had bad third year, being benched multiple times – I think the one-handed INT early in the year in KC got into his head as his technique really suffered. Was once a likely extension candidate heading into final year of rookie deal next year, but can’t imagine they want to commit now and will make him play it out.
Dax Hill – former first-rounder and converted safety played the best ball of his career the first month before tearing his ACL Week 5. I don’t think they can pick up his fifth-year option based on that little a sample, but I would try to buy low on a cheaper deal with more years – if he can get over the injury, the ability is certainly there.
Mike Hilton - slot extraordinaire has been an incredible value on four-year deal from Pittsburgh as he heads to FA. His excellent instincts are still there, but he'll be 31 and has lost a step. Similar to BJ Hill, I think they'll let him walk and try to get younger and cheaper.
DJ Turner – second-year player started to come on before breaking his clavicle Week 11. He can play, but his frame will always put him at higher injury risk.
Josh Newton – rookie fifth-rounder held his own (albeit with some rookie fifth-rounder mistakes) as a starter the last month of the year and will be valuable reserve with some slot potential.
DJ Ivey – second-year player came back from ACL and put up some competitive reps as well as being a core special teams player.
S
Geno Stone – signed to fill deep safety role but was horrible for first three months in coverage and as a tackler. Salvaged his season a little picking off a bunch of bad QBs the last month, but needs to be much better going into last year of deal – I would cut him but they won’t. I suppose there’s some hope as he’s still only 25.
Jordan Battle – second-year player was supposed to break out in starting role, but they brought back Vonn Bell before the year and then Battle missed meetings while playing poorly when he got in the game. Played decently well late in the year after becoming starter again and hopefully can put a full offseason together and become a pro.
Vonn Bell – longtime veteran was brought back after a year in Carolina to fix the communication issues that plagued them in 2023. Not only did that not happen, but he was predictably finished and was a huge part of the defense’s struggles. I imagine this could be the end of the line at 30.
ST
Ryan Rehkow – CFA punter was their best at the position in years with huge leg and decent touch. Needs to work on his holding as that cost them at least one game and whole FG operation was awful.
Evan McPherson – newly-extended kicker had terrible year, missing numerous kicks he should’ve made and likely costing them games before groin injury landed him on IR the last month. He can certainly get back to what he was before, but it can also go south real fast for kickers and never come back. I’m not sure if they’ll bring in competition, but he’ll certainly be under a microscope next year.
The first orders of business should be to extend Chase, Higgins and Hendrickson and remove any distractions that may have plagued the locker room last year – they certainly played that way Week 1. They also need two new guards (hopefully seventh-rounder Matt Lee can be one), a DT that can push the pocket and another legitimate DE in addition to other various needs. Ultimately, their trajectory mostly hinges on the 22-24 draft classes who need to put together a big year. Hopefully, some new blood in the coaching staff can help them realize it because they just cannot waste seasons like this anymore.
