Squad, Draft and goals for the season

At the dawn of the 2022 season, We Sport looks back on the situation of the 32 NFL franchises. Today, zoom on the Cincinnati Bengals, surprise finalists last season.

The Cincinnati Bengals’ record last season

An almost perfect dream. Worst record in the league in 2019, still in the league’s slumps the following year, the Bengals revolted in 2021, achieving one of the least predictable runs in recent NFL history. Around the duo Joe Burrow / Ja’Marr Chase and an amazing defense, Cincinnati surprised by winning its division, thus winning a ticket for the playoffs, five years after their last participation. But the hardest part remained to be done: the Ohio franchise remained on eight consecutive defeats in the playoffs, their last victory dating back to 1990. A black series quickly swept away by beating the Raiders in Wild Cardsthen the Titans and the Chiefs to find the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, the great story ended there, the Bengals losing the third in three appearances. A cruel end to a season that is still very encouraging for the future.

[10-7]AFC North winners, eliminated in Super Bowl LVI by the Los Angeles Rams

The movements of the off-season

Big downside for the Bengals last year, the offensive line has been greatly overhauled. Thus, the experienced Alex Cappa and Ted Karras arrive inside, while La’el Collins will occupy one of the two outside positions. The offense will also have a new starting tight-end, Hayden Hurst replacing CJ Uzomah, who left for the Jets.

On the other side of the field, Cincinnati solidified a solid foundation, including retaining some key elements from last season (Hill, Bates). The franchise has also been strengthened through the draft, with the arrival of two players in the secondary (Hill, Taylor-Britt) and a new player in the offensive line rotation (Carter).

Major arrivals: OG Alex Cappa (Buccaneers), TO La’el Collins (Cowboys), YOU Hayden Hurst (Falcons), VS Ted Karras (Patriots)

Notable departures: TO Riley Reiff (Bears), OG Quinton Spains (—), YOU CJ Uzomah (Jets), CB Trae Waynes (—)

Extensions: CB Eli Apple, S Jessie Bates (Franchise Tag), DT B.J. Hill

Draft*: S Daxton Hill (Michigan), CB Cameron Taylor Britt (Nebraska), DT Zachary Carter (Florida)

* Only the players selected during the first two days are mentioned.

The number of Cincinnati Bengals 2022/2023

On offense, the Bengals can boast of having an excellent cast on skills positions. Surrounding Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins make a young and interesting pair in the air, while Joe Mixon is able to rack up the yards on the ground. Add to that a remodeled offensive line with several safe bets and you have a fire attack.

On the other side of the field, Cincinnati has stalwarts all over the place. Jessie Bates at the back of the field, the discreet but needy Logan Wilson on the second curtain and Trey Hendrickson on the pass rush, the Ohio franchise has talent on all lines, even if the franchise lacks density in several positions, starting with that of cornerback where Eli Apple almost acts as No. 1. An imperfect but very complete squad, to which is added one of the best kickers in the league in the person of young Evan McPherson.

Cincinnati Bengals : Ambitions and ranking

Title holders in the AFC, the Bengals will be much more expected than at the start of 2021, when the franchise seemed to be off to a new season at the bottom of the rankings. Cincinnati now has a status to assume and will have to fight to retain its division title and continue to go far in the playoffs. Recruitment was done in this direction, to allow this team to progress and remain among the best. Returning to the Super Bowl would be a feat, but the Bengals have the means to win theAFC North and pass a few rounds of playoffs.

Player to watch: Trey Hendrickson

If the attack found its leaders with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, the defense also saw Trey Hendrickson assert itself as one of its best elements. Arrived last year after an excellent season with the Saints, the defensive end confirmed the hopes placed in him by performing a 14-sack exercise. At the dawn of a season where the Bengals will have a whole new status to assume, Hendrickson will have to maintain this production for Cincinnati to confirm the new dimension taken by reaching the Super Bowl last year.

The calendar of Cincinnati Bengals in 2022

Feature image credit: Cincinnati Bengals

---

Louis Rousseau

The words « Minnesota Miracle » and « No-Call » are scratched from my vocabulary. My heart mourns the retirement of Drew Brees and the loneliness of RJ Barrett in Madison Square Garden.