The 2023 season has just ended, and on March 13, the 2024 campaign will open its doors. DNA of Sports therefore takes this opportunity to offer you an overview of the different franchises during the offseason. Which players to keep and cut? Which free agents to extend? Which recruits to observe? Here are some ideas, franchise by franchise. In the spotlight today, the Cincinnati Bengals.
You are missing only one being and everything is depopulated. Joe Burrow's physical problems, which began in the summer, have largely harmed the performances and results of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023. A year to forget which saw a team present in the AFC final in 2021 and 2022 miss the playoffs. With its expected quarterback back in shape, an unchanged staff and money to spend, the franchise seems to have the cards in hand to regain its recent ambitions.
The captains
1. Joe Burrow (QB)
2. Ja’Marr Chase (WR)
3. Trey Hendrickson (Edge)
Hit in the calf at the start of the season and even more so, victim of a wrist ligament problem in mid-November, Joe Burrow had a difficult 2023 campaign. And his two-time conference runner-up team went down with him. The importance of the quarterback and his role in the excellent results of previous years confirms how important he is to the Bengals. Becoming the highest paid player in history in September, Burrow signed on for the long term with the franchise. Something to dream big in the years to come.
Even without his quarterback for a third of the season, the receiver still shined. Over 1,200 yards and 100 receptions, Ja'Marr Chase was snubbed by All Pro team honors this season, but nonetheless remains one of the best at his position. In 2024, and the return to the Burrow fields, their duo will once again be one of the most feared in the entire league.
Author of his best career season, Trey Hendrickson has definitely earned his stripes as an elite pass rusher in the league. With 17.5 sacks he finished 2nd behind the inevitable TJ Watt. Extended for one season last summer for an increase of $21 million, the leader of the defensive front proved his leaders right and showed that he deserved every penny of his contract.
The undesirables
– Nick Scott (S)
– Jackson Carman (OL)
Coming to compensate for the combined departures of Von Bell and Jessie Bates, Nick Scott quickly saw the young Daxton Hill and Jordan Battle gain depth in the final curtain and supplant him. Given its role and position, its 4.3 million impact on the salary cap are anything but justified.
Drafted in the 2nd round in 2021, Jackson Carman has not reached the level justifying such an investment in 3 seasons. At best, a gap filler, or even just a simple understudy, the team no longer has much to hope for from the player. Cincinnati could turn the page a year before the end of his contract and free up almost 2 million more in its payroll.
The summer man
Orlando Brown Jr. (OT)
Reigning champion with the Chiefs, Orlando Brown's first season in Cincinnati did not live up to expectations. Neither collectively nor individually. Far from the level displayed in 2022, the left tackle conceded 7 sacks and 50 pressures, the worst record for his position. When you protect one of the best throwers in the NFL, with an already heavy injury history, you have to perform better. The player recognizes him without shying away.
“There have been good things and obviously bad things. That's football. There were a lot of ups and downs,” Brown admitted.
The good news is that the former Raven seemed to progress over the weeks and his knowledge of Zac Taylor's system, particularly in his contribution to the running game. In 2024, Orlando Brown will also need to show progress in protecting the quarterback. Giving him time and serenity will be one of the keys to the Bengals' return to the top.
The main free agents
1. Tee Higgins (WR)
2. DJ Reader (DT)
3. Chidobe Awuzie (CB)
4. Jonah Williams (OT)
5. Tyler Boyd (WR)
Others: Irv Smith (TE), Drew Sample (TE), Max Scharping (OL), Cody Ford (OL), Akeem Davis-Gaither (LB), Joe Bache (LB)
Hampered by injury, Tee Higgins was less brilliant than in previous years. He nonetheless remains a very talented receiver who deserves the number 1 bis label. If he decides to leave, the former Clemson player will certainly be able to land a nice contract. But with nearly 60 million under salary cap, the Bengals will have the means to line up to keep him going in Ohio. The franchise tag cannot be ruled out if the team wishes to keep Tee Higgins, but the parties cannot agree on an extension before the start of the free agency.
Still among the receivers, the emergence of Andrei Iosivas and the potential of Charlie Jones could, however, mark the end of Tyler Boyd in orange and black. The double selection of receivers last year was undoubtedly made with this in mind.
The history between Jonah Williams and the Bengals is complicated. Injured his rookie year, he then blew hot and cold. Upset by the signing of Orlando Brown last March, Jonah Williams asked to be traded. Finally confirmed following the physical problems of La'el Collins, he was repositioned on the right. As a tackle capable of playing on both ends of the line, he could be coveted in a tight offensive lineman market.
On the other side of the ball, DJ Reader is an important part of the line and his duo with BJ Hill is valuable to coordinator Lou Annamuro. But the defensive tackle should be highly coveted despite his physical problems at the end of the season. The Bengals will have to decide whether they want to take out the checkbook or look elsewhere.
Returning from a cruciate ligament injury in 2022, Chidobe Awuzie has regained his place in the team, but not always for the better. The team's aerial performances are proof of this. With a young duo and certainly opportunities for improvement in a big cornerback class in the draft, he should not return to Ohio.
The Cincinnati Bengals' Top 5 Needs
1. Offensive tackle
2. Tight end
3. Receiver
4. Cornerback
5. Defensive tackle
Protecting Joe Burrow and surrounding him remains the basis for having a successful team. Still in the bottom third of the league in sacks conceded, Cincinnati will have to make efforts again this year to consolidate its quarterback's pocket.
A possible departure of Tee Higgins, or even Tyler Boyd to a lesser extent, restricts the range of targets. This risks putting more (too much) attention on Chase. While Andrei Iosivas, in particular, has shown some promise, that seems insufficient given Burrow's abilities and his ability to “feed” multiple receivers. This analysis is even more obvious on the tight end position. The Irv Smith experiment is a failure and Tanner Hudson is a complementary player.
28th air defense, coverage will also need to be considered. If Mike Hilton shines in the slot and Cam Taylor-Britt does the job on one side, they need a big player to accompany them and take the number 1 receivers. Against the run also, reinforcement would be appreciated. Even if DJ Reader returns, the rotation is too limited. New blood must be injected.
Target
Dalton Schultz (TE)
With very good room for maneuver to strengthen themselves, the Bengals will have opportunities in the first days of the free agency. This is not why we should burn the fund without thinking.
Already performing well in Dallas, Dalton Schultz has proven that he can shine in another attack. In an attack that has suffered a severe lack of certainty at the tight end position since the Tyler Eifert era, Schultz could have the ideal profile to bring another dimension to the attack led by Joe Burrow. Valuable for moving the chains, he also knows how to be decisive in the end zone. Financially, the Bengals will have no problem being able to offer the necessary contract if they want the player.
New blood
Taliese Fuaga (OT)
With the now experienced Orlando Brown Jr on the left, Cincinnati must find a lasting solution on the right side of its offensive line. It's not because the Jonah Williams experience was mixed that the Bengals should do without selecting a tackle in the 1st round of the draft.
Among the best right tackles in the country, Taliese Fuaga was named to the 1st team All American in 2023. Mobile, powerful and aggressive, he offers the right size and profile in the NFL. Particularly brilliant in the running game, he has plenty of room for improvement in protecting the quarterback where his technique needs to be perfected.
Other choices: Brian Thomas Jr, Troy Franklin, Jer'Zhan Newton
