The Cincinnati Bengals had been combating for a playoff spot with backup quarterback Jake Browning final season, proving they nonetheless have one of many extra underrated rosters within the NFL. However there are potential cracks within the basis.
Right here is why the Bengals ought to be fearful in regards to the 2024-25 season.
Joe Burrow won’t be the identical after injury-riddled begin to profession
When wholesome, Burrow is likely one of the finest quarterbacks within the league, throwing for 14,083 yards and 97 touchdowns throughout 52 video games. Nevertheless, he has struggled to remain on the sector via his first 4 years within the NFL.
The No. 1 total decide in 2020 tore his ACL and MCL throughout his rookie season after which suffered a season-ending wrist damage in 2023.
All indicators in Burrow’s rehab level towards him having the ability to regain his dominance on the gridiron this fall, however there’s an opportunity his accidents might forestall him from being the participant he was from 2021-22 when he led the Bengals to 2 AFC Championship video games and a Tremendous Bowl look.
A possible downgrade at working again
Whereas former Bengals RB Joe Mixon has been a topic of commerce talks for the previous couple of years, Cincinnati’s March choice to commerce him to the Houston Texans for a 2024 seventh-round decide was a head-scratcher.
The Bengals should now discover a strategy to replicate the manufacturing of their franchise’s third all-time main rusher, however that’s going to be troublesome to do after solely signing veteran Zack Moss in free company.
Moss will possible cut up the backfield with 2023 fifth-round decide Chase Brown, however the two rushed for a mixed 973 yards and 5 touchdowns final season.
A much less dominant run sport will put much more stress on Burrow coming off his second season-ending damage.
Younger secondary fails to shake off struggles
Cincinnati’s protection allowed the fifth-most passing yards per sport (248.4) within the league final season and there is a probability the younger group continues to battle in 2024.
The Bengals did revamp their security room, reuniting with Vonn Bell (who performed for them from 2020-22) and signing Geno Stone, who had the second-most interceptions (seven) within the NFL a season in the past.
The staff goes to must closely depend on second-year cornerback DJ Turner and third-year safety-turned-corner Dax Hill, although. If one or each gamers do not attain expectations, it might be one other lengthy season for the secondary.
