By: Jake Rajala

The Cincinnati Bengals are known for possessing a high-powered passing offense, but they can’t always plan on winning in shootouts. They need to have a potent secondary to slow down opponents. Their top CB Chidobe Awuzie, who was recently titled the best chess player in the NFL, had a strong 2022 campaign — as he notched an 83.3 grade by PFF. He had 64 tackles, 14 pass deflections, and a personal best 2 interceptions.

The other starting CB on the Bengals is none other than Twitter’s beloved Eli Apple. The former Saints CB had 2 picks, 10 pass deflections, and 49 combined tackles. According to PFF, he allowed the lowest passer rating in man coverage last season. Zac Taylor referred to the re-singing of Apple as a “no-brainer”.

Besides the top two CBs in Cincy, the Bengals will rely on Mike Hilton at CB3 and Daxton Hill at CB4. Hilton ousted two interceptions (including a pick-six), 5 pass deflections, and he had 66 combined tackles. Hilton was given a 72.3 grade by PFF for his performance a season ago.

Furthermore, they still have a young CB with lots of potential in Daxton Hill. He may just be the future CB2 across from Awuzie. Of course, he was selected by the Bengals with their 31st pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He had a 6.33 prospect grade. He does also offer versatility as a safety. Tre Flowers may also be asked to be a factor in big contests. Flowers had three interceptions in 2019. He had 39 combined tackles last season.

The Bengals ranked 26th in passing yards allowed last season. Perhaps the Bengals secondary can improve with a wiser Apple and early production from the rook to at least a middle-of-the-pack pass defense in 2022.

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By: Tim Rodriguez

The Cincinnati Bengals’ magical run to the Super Bowl fell just short, losing 23-20 to the Los Angeles Rams. For Joe Burrow’s Bengals, the goal is all about how to get back. In the last thirty years, the only quarterbacks to lose a Super Bowl and get back later in their careers are Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner. Once you get there, it is nearly impossible to get back. How can the Bengals do it? 

Step one: Offensive line revamp on the right side

The Bengals offensive line is one of the worst in the NFL. It may not be as bad as some pundits would have you believe, it still is not close to being a Super Bowl caliber offensive line. The best players on the unit are Jonah Williams at left tackle and Trey Hopkins at center. Those are the only two players whose starting spots should be considered written (written in pencil for what it’s worth). There are numerous prizes on the offensive free agent market, including Washington Commander’s guard Brandon Scherff. Scherff will command a high price tag, but would be worth every penny for a team with a horrible right side of the offensive line. If Scherff can lock down the right guard spot and 2021 day two pick Jackson Carman makes enough strides to be a serviceable left guard, the Bengals all of the sudden go from having a bottom ten offensive line to an above average unit. That would just leave right tackle as the gaping hole.

Step 2: High impact player in the cornerback room

Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton were great additions to the corner room, but Hilton is best served in the slot and Awuzie would be best as the number two option. The Bengals have ample cap space, but can create even more just in this room by cutting Trae Waynes. Hilton and Awuzie combine for about $13 Million annually, meaning the Bengals would likely be wary about adding another big contract player in the room. However, if they want to take a jump to the next level, they need an elite cover man. The best option may be 2019 defensive player of the year Stephon Gilmore, who feels unlikely to be returning to Carolina. Cooper Kupp ate this defense alive, and you just aren’t going to stop a guy like him without spending in the secondary. With Joe Burrow, Jamarr Chase, Tee Higgins and Logan Wilson all still on rookie contracts, the Bengals should be looking to spend heavily to win now. 

Step 3: Zac Taylor should consider giving up play calling

The Bengals offense, despite putting up flashy numbers, isn’t really all that excellent. Turning on the Bengals is a lot of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins making some unbelievable plays and Joe Burrow’s processing creating some easy completions. However, when the moment was the biggest, Taylor shot himself in the foot over and over again. This was most evident on third and one on the final drive. With Joe Mixon making almost $50 million, Taylor turned around in the shotgun and handed it to Semaje Perine, a journeyman backup, on third and one. Reminder: Joe Mixon weighs over 220 pounds. There’s no “he’s a small back conversation here”. Taylor is signed through 2026, he isn’t going anywhere. He has his strengths and weaknesses as a head coach, but his biggest one can be easily mitigated. 

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