Coming off a terrific 12-4 2022 season, the Cincinnati Bengals are setting up to mirror that success again in 2023 as they head into their 56th NFL season. The squad has spent the offseason making tweaks to their roster and the results are jaw-dropping.
The menacing maneaters of the Midwest have several key elements at their disposal coming off their previous campaign. Some include offensive returners, key draft picks to bolster their defense, and a favorable reputation over the past two seasons. Let’s talk about it.
Cincinnati lost running back Samaje Perine, safety Vonn Bell, and free safety Jessie Bates III. But what the defending AFC North Division champs lack in their losses, they make up for in what they retain. The Cincinnati Bengals will see the AP Comeback Player of the Year, Joe Burrow, return under center. In addition, returning cast members Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd will join him. Burrow completed the 2023 season with over 4,000 yards passing, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow – Brynn Anderson/Associated Press
His LSU partner, Chase, had 1,046 yards receiving for his troubles in 2022 despite missing a few games, according to Cincy Jungle. Even though the Cincinnati Bengals have a ground game that only produced 58.1 rushing yards a game in 2022 via Joe Mixon, the Bengals are standing by the six-year running back in addition to the arsenal of offensive weapons at their disposal.
The Cincinnati Bengals did well this offseason with drafts. The crew looks promising on the other side of the ball by drafting Clemson defensive end Myles Murphy. Murphy was picked 28th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. At a staggering 6-5 270 pounds, the Cincinnati newcomer is young and will join pass rushers Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard, and Joseph Ossai.
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo adds Murphy to the defensive front in hopes of continuing to improve pass rushing in 2023. The Cincinnati Bengals also retains second-year cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, who enjoyed an impressive two years with the team, making 41 solo tackles in 2022.
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Bengals CB Cam Taylor-Britt – Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Combine the returners and the acquisition of Murphy with the momentum Cincinnati has built up for the past two seasons under coach Zac Taylor, and you have a recipe for another dominant 18-week regular season. It could be debated, but the Bengals have the most promising future in the upcoming season, according to Sports Illustrated. If you are a fan of any of the other AFC North teams, prepare to cry.
The Bengals’ Schedule looks almost like an NFL Madden franchise mode on easy. In the upcoming season, Cincinnati will face off against two teams against which they are considered underdogs. Those two teams are the 49ers and a team they have had total wars with. You guessed it, the Chiefs.
The Bengals have made the AFC Title Game for the last two seasons, coming up short of the Lombardi Trophy in 2022 and missing earning a spot in Super Bowl 57 earlier this year. While that may be an unfortunate statistic, the context proves to be a plus for the defending AFC North champs. Their Super Bowl loss to the Rams and their AFC Title Game loss to the Chiefs only resulted in a 23-20 loss in both games.
To summarize the case, the Cincinnati Bengals are a team that puts the entire NFL on notice. With repeat AFC Title Game appearances, a recent Super Bowl appearance, a young quarterback who seems to have started to hit his stride, and a dominant ACC defensive end draftee, you have a recipe for a Super Bowl contender. This ball club is young and still figuring out how to calibrate the few pieces needed to be the potential juggernaut it could be. Your favorite team will hate the colors black and orange this season.
