Cincinnati Bengals Offseason Progress Report

How many receivers will it take to offset one of the worst defenses in the NFL?

Bengals Star QB Joe Burrow

Overview

2024 Record: 9-8

General Manager: Duke Tobin

Head Coach: Zac Taylor

Starting Quarterback: Joe Burrow

Key Extensions:

WR Ja'Marr Chase (4 years, $161 million, $109.8 million guaranteed), WR Tee Higgins (4 years, $115 million, $40.9 guaranteed), TE Mike Gesicki (3 years, $25.5 million, $6.5 guaranteed)

Key Additions:

LB Oren Burks, DL TJ Slaton, iOL Lucas Patrick

Key Departures:

DL Sheldon Rankins, iOL Alex Cappa, LB Akeem Davis-Gaither

Offense

Offensive Coordinator: Dan Pitcher (Zac Taylor is the play-caller)

2024 Ranks:

EPA/play: 7th Success Rate: 7th PPG: 6th (27.8ppg)

Projected Starting Offense (11 personnel):

QB Joe Burrow

RB Chase Brown

WR Ja'Marr Chase

WR Tee Higgins

WR Andrei Iosivas

TE Mike Gesicki

LT Orlando Brown Jr.

LG Cordell Volson

C Ted Karras

RG Cody Ford

RT Amarius Mims

Offense Notes:

It's hard to not consider 2024 an offensive success for the Bengals. Joe Burrow led his unit to Top 10 marks in almost every category on offense, the passing game being the driving force of the team's success. Ja'Marr Chase had a career year as well, becoming the fifth triple crown winner (led all players in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns) since the AFL/NFL merger. The offense was so potent that the team only scored below 20 points on four occasions - this team could put up points.

The outlook for 2025 seems similar to last year's performance. The team valued the contributions of the skill players so much that Chase, WR Tee Higgins, and TE Mike Gesicki all were signed to decent extensions, Chase's deal setting the market for non-QBs. With Burrow, Chase, and Higgins all under contract for the foreseeable future, the team will likely rely on the high level of play the incumbent starters can bring. No new major additions were made on offense, so the Bengals will run it back, hoping for another nuclear offensive output.

Defense

Defensive Coordinator: Al Golden

2024 Ranks:

EPA/play: 23rd Success Rate: 29th PPG: 25th (25.5ppg allowed)

Projected Starting Defense (Base 4-2):

DE Joseph Ossai

DT BJ Hill

DT TJ Slaton Jr.

DE Trey Hendrickson

LB Germaine Pratt

LB Logan Wilson

CB DJ Turner II

CB Cam Taylor-Britt

NB Dax Hill

S Jordan Battle

S Geno Stone

Defense Notes:

If the offense was the engine for the Bengals last season, the defense was a dead battery, a bad transmission, and a flat tire. The unit underperformed, putting the Bengals in shootouts week after week. The offense may have only scored under 20 points four times, but the defense allowed less than 20 points in only five contests. Trey Hendrickson was the lone bright spot with this group, becoming the 2024 sack leader.

While the personnel may not have changed much heading into 2025, the scheme should see a shift. Former defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo (now with Indianapolis) was replaced by Al Golden, who led Notre Dame's defense to being worth of a National Championship berth. Hopefully, a new scheme, better coaching, and draft additions like Shemar Stewart can get this defense on track.

Outlook

Last year's Bengals offense put on a show last season, leading the league in multiple categories. And yet, the team walked into the finish line with a 9-8 record, barely missing the playoffs. Aside from the defensive woes, the main culprit for this was a slow start to the season - something that the Bengals can patent at this point. Starting the year 1-3 and eventually 4-8 is not a recipe for a playoff berth.

It seems as though the Bengals will be banking on internal improvement and a coaching change on the defensive side to get more out of the team. With only one different projected starter (at this point) from last year, the brass is really hoping the answers lie on the current roster. However, as I mentioned before, the Bengals seemingly are used to slow starts to the season, and subsequently having to play catch up. That shouldn't be the reality with the firepower the Bengals have on offense.

Looking ahead, Cincinnati has gone 9-8 in back-to-back seasons, missing the playoffs each time. I think the expectation should be more than that. I don't know of many teams, if any at all, that wouldn't trade their QB + WRs for the Bengals; this group is that talented. With that in mind, the Bengals are in a "must make playoffs" season in my opinion. Anything less with this group is a disappointment and should result in big changes within the coaching staff and front office.

Expectation/Goal for 2025: Compete for AFC North, AFC Wild Card

2025 Schedule

\(\begin{array}{c c} \textbf{GameWeek} & \textbf{Opponent} \\ \hline \text{Week 1} & \text{@ Cleveland, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 2} & \text{vs. Jacksonville, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 3} & \text{@ Minnesota, 1pm} \\ \textbf{Week 4} & \textbf{@ Denver, MNF, 8:15pm} \\ \text{Week 5} & \text{vs. Detroit, 4:25pm} \\ \text{Week 6} & \text{@ Green Bay, 4:25pm} \\ \textbf{Week 7} & \textbf{vs. Pittsburgh, TNF, 8:15pm} \\ \text{Week 8} & \text{vs. New York jets, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 9} & \text{vs. Chicago, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 10} & \text{-- BYE WEEK --} \\ \text{Week 11} & \text{@ Pittsburgh, 1pm} \\ \text{Week 12} & \text{vs. New England, 1pm} \\ \textbf{Week 13} & \textbf{@ Baltimore, TNF, 8:20pm*} \\ \text{Week 14} & \text{@ Buffalo, 4:25pm} \\ \text{Week 15} & \text{vs. Baltimore, 1pm} \\ \textbf{Week 16} & \textbf{@ Miami, SNF, 8:20pm} \\ \text{Week 17} & \text{vs. Arizona, TBD} \\ \text{Week 18} & \text{vs. Cleveland, TBD} \\ \end{array} \)

Primetime games are BOLDED, all times EDT/EST

*Week 13 game against Baltimore is on Thanksgiving*