NFL
By Jalen Willingham
The Cincinnati Bengals showed that their 2021 Super Bowl run was not a fluke in 2022. They made it back to the AFC Championship where they’d go down in a 23-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. For the first time in my life, the Bengals are now seen by many as a legit contender in the NFL. There is a new rivalry between the Bengals and Kansas City. This could be a rivalry that holds the fate of the AFC for years to come.
Because of this, Cincinnati attacked free agency and the draft in ways that could potentially get them back to the Super Bowl in 2023.
Offense
Now entering year four, the expectations for Joe Burrow are higher than ever. He’s the clear cut franchise guy. The offensive system is great and his decision making is top tier. His calf injury in training camp isn’t ideal, but it shouldn’t be much to worry about in terms of how the season goes. Expecting an extension any day now, Burrow has the potential to be the first Bengals player to win MVP since Boomer Esiason in 1988.
The achilles heel of not just the offense but the team as a whole has been protecting Joe Burrow. It cost them a Super Bowl win in 2021 and even played a role in their defeat to the Chiefs in the Conference Championship as well in 2022. The Bengals have once again made improvements in this area. Going out and taking left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. away from Kansas City in free agency was a splash move that I never saw coming.
They also brought in former Arizona Cardinal Cody Ford who will be a decent backup option. The signing of Orlando Brown pushed Jonah Williams to right tackle while also retaining both La’el Collins and Jackson Carman. This provides the Bengals with much needed depth on the offensive line that could’ve possibly saved their season in 2022.
The Bengals have arguably the best group of pass catchers in the NFL. The kicker here is that Cincinnati has also gotten younger and faster in the receiver room. Who would’ve thought that a wide receiver group that features Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd could get even better. Draftees Charlie Jones and Andrei Iosivas are interesting additions to the offense but may not see much of the field at least for this season in 2023. Because of this, this may also mean that this is likely Boyd’s last year in Cincinnati as well.
The running back room has seen retooling through the draft. Joe Mixon will look to have a bounce back year as the team’s number one running back but rookie Chase Brown may eventually start to get touches in the run and pass game as the season progresses. Samaje Perine is an underrated loss for the Bengals in free agency. Although I think Mixon will improve in 2023, the Bengals may suffer a bit in the short term from not having an experienced backup such as Samaje Perine that can come in and get carries to take the pressure off Mixon.
The tight end position is the biggest question mark with the most uncertainty on offense. The Bengals lost Hayden Hurst to the Carolina Panthers in free agency. It’s definitely not a huge loss in production, but the way they went about replacing him was concerning to some people.
Irv Smith Jr. , a former second round pick out of Alabama who spent three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings will now be the starting tight end. While Smith Jr. may have upside, his injury history is what repels me the most. If everything does work out the way I hope, he’ll be another tight end who could get 500+ yards in this stacked offense before getting paid somewhere else. They also decided to bring back Drew Sample who will be a plus in terms of blocking ability.
Defense
The Bengals had one of the best defensive units in the NFL last season and that should once again be the case for 2023. Retaining defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is huge and the additions in personnel should help a ton as well.
The defensive line, though filled with solid players all around, only managed to muster up 30 sacks in 2022. I expect that number to increase this time around. Pro Bowl pass rusher Trey Hendrickson will once again lead the way. Behind Sam Hubbard and D.J. Reader, there should be a number of guys that can step up and make plays at any time. Rookie Myles Murphy is a great addition to the front that fits well with what Cincinnati wants. Joseph Ossai, Cam Sample and Zach Carter should produce much more in 2023 as well.
The linebacker core of Logan Wilson and Germain Pratt is a top ten duo in the league at the position. I expect both, especially Logan Wilson, to only continue to get better and excel from here. If needed, the depth at this position contains players who can come in and still produce at a solid level.
Veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie leads the secondary in 2023. Outside of Awuzie, a large portion of the secondary is young with a ton of potential but still unproven. Teams may look to exploit this early on. Cam Taylor-Britt has a year under his belt now and he should be a solid cornerback opposite of Awuzie. Mike Hilton remains as the slot corner. D.J. Turner has the potential to be a good starter in the future.
2022 first round pick Daxton Hill and free agent pickup Nick Scott will be the new starting safeties. The losses of safeties Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell could be felt a lot in the back end. Rookie Jordan Battle could eventually grow into the Vonn Bell role that he played during his time here.
Conclusion
All in all, this Bengals team is here to stay. There is loads of talent across the board, and a chance at the Lombardi trophy could once again be on the horizon.
Prediction:
12-5
1st in the AFC North
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