As the Cincinnati Reds wrap up a season that has not met their postseason aspirations, a comprehensive review of the team’s performance and its shortcomings is anticipated once the final game of the season is concluded. This review will extend to Manager David Bell, his coaching staff, and potentially even the baseball operations department.
Cincinnati Reds’ Manager David Bell & President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall at RedsFest
President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall, alongside the team’s ownership, still headed by Bob Castellini, will make the final decision regarding Bell’s future with the team. Despite Bell being in the first year of a three-year contract extension through 2026, the team’s underperformance has led to speculation about his job security.
Krall refrained from commenting specifically on Bell and his staff’s performance but acknowledged that the team’s overall record is influenced by a range of factors. “We’ve seen some players make significant strides, while others have regressed,” Krall remarked. “Youth and development are parts of the equation, and we need to identify how we can improve. It’s a collective effort, and obviously, I’m not satisfied with our current standing. We must keep pushing forward and addressing our issues.”
Baserunning errors have also been a persistent issue, with the team leading the Major Leagues in outs on the bases with 59. Krall indicated that no final decisions will be made until the team conducts its internal reviews. “We still have a lot of improvements to make to secure more wins and achieve our goals,” he said. “We need to do better across the board.”
So Will They Move On From David Bell…?
When asked about Bell’s contract status before Friday’s game, Krall confirmed that Bell is under contract for the upcoming season. “He’s got a contract for next year,” Krall said. “However, we will evaluate everything at the end of the season and determine the necessary steps to move forward.”
As the offseason approaches, the Reds will undertake a detailed assessment to decide on the future direction of the team and its leadership.
Stay tuned for further updates as the team concludes its season and begins the evaluation process.
The Cincinnati Bengals play the Kansas City Chiefs this upcoming Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. Coming off of a 16-10 loss to the New England Patriots, the Bengals are looking to rebound against the back to back Super Bowl champion Chiefs.
1-Improved Playcalling
It was no secret that Zac Taylor had an awful day play calling against the Patriots. Mix that in with your franchise quarterback playing like it was his first game off a season ending injury, it did not look pretty. The Bengals didn’t score until the second half and didn’t even have a first down until midway through the second quarter.
There were some positives to take away from the game, however. Zack Moss had a phenomonal game on the ground. Most of that success came out of a 12 personnel package with Drew Sample and Erik All. If they can commit to the running game, the passing game will open up. Joe Burrow was not able to attack downfield, with having only one completion over 20 yards.
Keeping a defense honest is the most important part of an offense. Play actions have to sell and to do that, a dominant running game is needed. Good route concepts and improved situational awareness will help the passing offense rebound.
2-Pass Rush, Pass Rush, Pass Rush.
The Bengals were 2nd in the NFL in pass rush win rate percentage for the first week of the season. Don’t let that number fool you. Trey Hendrickson was the sole contributor to the lacking rush. He would come off the edge and nobody would be home when Jacoby Brissett stepped up in the pocket.
Knowing Patrick Mahomes, you absolutely can not blitz the man. He is at his best when a defense blitzes him. Therefore, the defult pass rush needs to be able to contain the NFL’s best quarterback. It’s a hard task, but disrupting his timing and playing sound coverage will be key to winning on Sunday.
3-Finishing Tackles
According to defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, the Bengals missed a 6-year high 14 tackles. Pro Football Focus stated that 118 of Rhamondre Stevenson’s 120 rushing yards came after contact. When you have a back dead to rights, finishing tackles is crucial. You should not and will not win football games without the basic fundamentals.
Chiefs RB Isaiah Pacheco is one of the league’s top power backs. He runs like he’s angry at the ground. Keeping a good base and making form tackles is the only way the Bengals stand a chance against a dominant back like Pacheco.
Joe Burrow Nickname T-shirt. Comes on softstyle. Use Promocode “WELOVEYOU” at checkout and getyourself 20% off, no questions asked. Any item on the shop.
4-Win the Turnover Battle
Winning the turnover battle is a key for any football game you ever play. If you win that, you typically win the football game. The Bengals lost that battle 2-0 last weekend.
The Bengals lost 2 fumbles last week, matching their season total from 2023. Tanner Hudson was the first victim, reaching the ball out and fumbling at the Patriots’ one yard line. If he had held on, I would’ve liked his chances at fighting through the goal line.
Then, following a 3 and out from the Bengals defense first drive of the second half, Charlie Jones fumbled on a punt return. It resulted in another 3 points for New England, extending their lead to 13-0.
Keeping the ball out of Patrick Mahomes’s hands is always a great idea, and handing it over to him more than you need to is less than ideal. The Bengals need to control time of possession with long scoring drives.
5- Joe Burrow Needs to Have the “IT” Factor
Joe Burrow didn’t play a terrible game against New England, but he wasn’t himself. He admitted in a press conference on Wednesday that he was playing with happy feet. It is about what you would expect after not playing a game in over 10 months. He did a great job at managing the game, but he needs to be more than a game manager.
If the Bengals are without WR Tee Higgins again this weekend, you’ll likely see the same skill group as last Sunday. Chase, Irwin, and Iosivas will get most of the reps. Charlie Jones and Jermain Burton will be sprinkled in here and there also. If the Bengals want a shot at winning, the receivers need to do a better job at separating, and Joe needs to be better at taking one on one shots.
Joe Burrow should be better his second time out. I have every reason to believe he will be. I wrote an article earlier in August about why he’ll win an MVP this year. He just has a few things to figure out again and the Bengals will be rolling.
Recap
The Bengals will have arguably their toughest challenge on Sunday with the Chiefs. They will need to do something the Bengals have never done under Zac Taylor. Win a week 2 ballgame. I believe the Bengals will have a different mindset given that it’s their biggest rival, and I have my hopes that they’ll pull away a victory.
They kickoff at 4:25pm EST on CBS. Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will be on the call. Expect Tee Higgins and Kris Jenkins to be sidelined once again. My final prediction? Chiefs win 27-20. I believe we start 0-2 once again, but my hopes for the season remain strong. Hopefully they prove me wrong!
Ja'Marr Chase makes a catch against the New England Patriots in week one.
How the Bengals can retain Ja’Marr Chase for the long haul.
What’s the Holdup on Ja’Marr’s deal?
It’s been the talk of the Cincinnati Bengals all off-season long. From training camp, to the talk shows on ESPN and more, the question has been simple: When will Ja’Marr Chase receive a new deal from the Cincinnati Bengals? That question hasn’t been answered, and because of that, Chase missed all of training camp and the preseason. In fact, Ja’Marr Chase held out until the last minute, finally being declared active on Saturday, just one day before the season kicked off.
Chase has been seeking a new deal for some time, dating back to last season. The Bengals first had to lock up Joe Burrow, which they did, with a 5-year, $275 million deal at the beginning of last season. Now that it is Ja’marr Chase’s turn, things in Cincinnati have become somewhat hostile. Chase is one of the best receivers in all of football, and he has had to watch multiple receivers get their payday. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and Calvin Ridley all received huge deals this off-season. Looking forward to a possible contract, Chase will likely slot somewhere between Lamb and Jefferson. He has been quoted saying he wants to “earn one more penny than Justin Jefferson”, his former teammate at LSU. While it is possible he will see that kind of money, let’s take a look at what the contract extension would look like.
What Does a Ja’Marr Chase Extension Look Like?
The Cincinnati Bengals are in uncharted waters with Ja’Marr Chase when it comes to his contract. In the past, the Bengals largest extension for a wide receiver came when they extended A.J. Green with a 4-year, $60 million deal in 2015. The market is no longer that “cheap” for a great receiver. Justin Jefferson received the most expensive non-QB contract in NFL history this year when he inked a 4-year, $140 million extension. For the Bengals, who have notably been quite frugal, that’s a lot of money. Jefferson’s AAV (average annual value) sits at $35 million a year. CeeDee Lamb received a 4-year, $136 million extension, which puts his AAV at $34 million.
The Deals
If the Bengals were to sign Ja’Marr Chase to a contract today, it would have to likely look something like this to fit into their cap plans. This first contract will not include future plans for Tee Higgins.
Deal #1: 4 years, $140.01 million, $88.8 million guaranteed, $37 million signing bonus.
This deal would be the Bengals going all out to keep their number one receiver for Joe Burrow. His AAV would be $35.025 million a year, satisfying his request of being paid more than Jefferson while being practical towards the cap. If you include Tee Higgins in the future plans, the deal may have to look a little different years wise, but the money would remain the same.
Deal #2: 5 years, $140.01 million, $88.8 million guaranteed, $37 million signing bonus.
This deal for Cincinnati would be significantly better, as it would drop Ja’Marr Chase’s AAV to $28 million a year, but it would result in more money than Jefferson still, and allow Cincinnati to keep Higgins in town as well. This deal would be more practical on the pockets of Mike Brown as well, keeping everyone happy in Cincy.
Final Thoughts
Ja’Marr Chase is a valuable asset to this Cincinnati Bengals team. He is one of the best receivers in all of football, and has an undeniable rapport with Joe Burrow. If the Bengals want to keep everyone happy, and keep their Super Bowl window open, they should definitely extend Ja’Marr Chase as soon as possible. The possibility of him sitting out games during the season is too great, and the Bengals cannot afford to lose him. If the Bengals are serious about winning, they’ll hammer out a deal with Chase sooner rather than later. Anything short of a deal would result in disaster for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Lance Lynn (6-4) will be on the mound for the Cardinals, making his 22nd start of the season. The right-handed pitcher’s most recent outing was on Tuesday, July 30, where he went five innings, allowed three hits, and gave up just one earned run against the Texas Rangers.
At 37 years old, Lynn has appeared in 21 games this season with an ERA of 4.06, a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 2.37, and a WHIP of 1.364. In 21 starts, he has managed to pitch through or beyond the fifth inning in 14 of them, with an average of 5.1 innings pitched per game.
Reds’ Starting Pitcher: Brandon Williamson
Cincinnati Reds LHP SP Brandon Williamson
Brandon Williamson (0-0) will take the mound for the Reds, marking his second start of the season. The left-handed pitcher’s most recent appearance was in relief on Friday, where he threw 4 2/3 innings against the New York Mets, allowing just one earned run and giving up a single hit.
This season, in his two appearances, Williamson holds a 2.25 ERA and averages 6.8 strikeouts per nine innings, with opponents hitting just .148 against him.
PREDICTION
Given the right-hander Lance Lynn’s recent form and the Cardinals’ overall performance, Williamson’s strong pitching could be the key factor. If Williamson can stifle the Cardinals’ offense and provide a solid, deep outing, combined with the Reds’ ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, the Reds could emerge victorious.
Final Score Prediction: Reds 3, Cardinals 2
Williamson’s standout performance on the mound, paired with key hits from the Reds’ lineup, could lead to a narrow win for the Reds.
The wide receiver position for the Bengals is one filled with an exceptional amount of talent, but it’s not without its share of drama and intrigue. First it was Tee Higgins’ contract demands, absence from practice, and eventual signing of the franchise tender. Then it was Ja’Marr Chase’s desire for his own extension and on again off again flirtation with being a participant in practice. It’s a saga that reached epic proportions before either player ever set foot on the field in a regular season game.
For his part, Higgins stated his case for more money but ultimately signed his one-year franchise deal. He participated in offseason practices and even scored a touchdown in the first preseason game. For all of the talk of Chase’s availability this year, Bengals fans could rest assured that his opposite number was signed and would be playing. Then, seemingly out of the wild blue, very concerning news dropped on Friday. The Bengals listed Higgins as doubtful to play due to a hamstring injury.
Tee Higgins after practice Thursday: "I'm physically fine and mentally ready. Ready to put on a show."
Tee Higgins is listed as doubtful for Sunday. #Bengals@fox19
The Bengals listed Higgins as doubtful after he told the media that, although he was limited by that hamstring injury, he felt “amazing.” To be fair, it is no secret that injuries can vary in intensity from day to day. And the feelings that players have in practice can be markedly different from those they have getting ready to perform at game speed. It doesn’t appear that Higgins was being untruthful in his statements to the media. Nor does it seem like he is overly playing up the severity of his injury. Still, it is extremely concerning given Higgins’ past injury history.
Tee Higgins who was listed on the Bengals injury report as limited with a hamstring injury spoke to the media after practice
Ja’Marr Chase planned to meet with the media on Friday to hopefully bring more clarity to his contract situation. Most Bengals fans were holding their breath for it but got precious little in terms of solid answers. He spoke with reporters for about eleven minutes in total. He stated that he would be willing to play this season without an extension. But as it pertains to the game against the Patriots, he would not absolutely commit to playing. He labeled himself a “gametime decision.” IF he was to play, he felt he could go between 40-50 snaps. He also had very complimentary things to say about the team and his teammates. Importantly, Chase also said that the Bengals made a serious offer and that it reflected ownership’s promise to do all it could to get a contract done.
I asked Ja’Marr Chase if the reports are true that he wants one penny more than Justin Jefferson.
What does this all mean for week one against the Patriots? At the end of the day, New England is still an NFL team that has good players on its roster. No game in this league is a guaranteed win given the talent at this level. The Bengals’ offense is still well equipped to get the job done even if Chase and Higgins are absent. This is mostly because of the epic talent of Joe Burrow. He has the ability to throw even average receivers open no matter who lines up out wide. In addition, the Patriots were one of the worst offenses in the league last year and there’s little to think they won’t struggle just as much in 2024. This is a game that the Bengals can still take even if some of their best players aren’t active.
And yet, there is just something unsettling about what has gone on with Chase and Higgins up until now. The Patriots game was supposed to be an opener where Cincinnati could show the league and the world that they were ready to contend for another Super Bowl. It will be the first time Joe Burrow takes the field in game action since November of last year. He deserves to do that with the absolute best offensive weapons at his disposal in terms of receivers. But he may not have either one come Sunday and it seems a shame that may be a real possibility.
On the opposite side of that coin, if there was a game to see what Andrei Iosivas can accomplish as a WR1 or see how ready Trenton Irwin and Charlie Jones are to play major snaps, this would be a good one to try it out. The Bengals signed tight end Mike Gesicki specifically for his ability to catch the football, and this might be a scenario where he gets a few more targets his way than he might otherwise. It will also be a very good game to see what the new-look backfield of Zach Moss and Chase Brown might be able to do given a larger role if Higgins and Chase sit this one out.
While the situations around Chase and Higgins are less than ideal, the Bengals season is going to begin on Sunday regardless of their health or how many snaps they play. Zac Taylor and these players almost made the playoffs last year facing one of the most difficult schedules in team history. They were no strangers to adversity in 2023 and overcame plenty of it in a valiant effort lead in large part by Jake Browning. Now, with Joe Burrow healthy there is no reason to doubt what this team could accomplish against the Patriots no matter who he may have to throw the ball to. Come what may, this team is going to march strong into 2024.
The Bengals set their 53-man roster in stone on Tuesday. This is yet another sign that the season opener is approaching, and football is almost back. While there were some pleasant surprises with players at the back end of the 53, there were no earth-shattering decisions made for the 2024 Bengals team.
After the last round of cuts at the end of last week, on Tuesday Cincinnati parted ways with two players with prior game experience: offensive lineman Trey Hill and wide receiver Shedrick Jackson. The Bengals drafted Hill in the sixth round in 2021 and he appeared in 24 games with three starts. Jackson appeared in 5 games last year but failed to log a catch. With as much talent as the Bengals have both on the offensive line and at receiver, it’s safe to say that these cuts didn’t come as a surprise to too many. But it was the players who did make the team that made Tuesday’s announcement so pleasant.
Maema Njongmeta
Rookie linebacker Maema Njongmeta made the roster after signing with the Bengals as an undrafted free agent in May. He had a solid career at the University of Wisconsin, but it was his play in the preseason that really set him apart. He tallied 29 tackles (13 solo) and two passes defensed. His motor on the field was evident every snap he was in the game. While he may not make a huge impact this year, he deserves his roster spot and it is a great success story.
#Bengals rookie LB Maema Njongmeta makes the 53-man roster.
He was truly impressive and got better as the preseason went on. He was consistent and did his assignments with a high motor. Filled gaps, forced plays into traffic and made tackles at the LOS or in the backfield while… pic.twitter.com/D03px87Cm6
Matt Lee is another low-round pick that had a great preseason. He was the Bengals’ seventh-round pick but blocked like a man drafted on the first day. Lee did not allow a quarterback pressure in 68 pass blocking snaps. Having that kind of depth on the offensive line will be a luxury for a team with such a precious commodity as Joe Burrow under center.
Overall, the Bengals are carrying two quarterbacks, six wide receivers, five tight ends (including rookie Eric All, who could have an impact this year), three running backs, nine offensive lineman, ten defensive lineman, five linebackers, and ten in the secondary. The high number of tight ends is a bit surprising. However, they have so much athleticism and flexibility at the position. It’s therefore likely that all of those they have on the roster will see at least some game action this season.
Other roster moves included the addition of defensive end Myles Murphy and punter Brad Robbins to the injured list. Murphy is dealing with a sprained knee and Robbins left practice a few weeks ago with a leg injury. Both players will be out, pursuant to NFL rules, for at least the first four weeks of the season.
Chase Will Play In Week 1
In non-roster news, Zac Taylor made it official today that Ja’Marr Chase is expected to play in week one against the Patriots. While this seemed like the clear end result of his contract saga, it’s probably fair that a good portion of the Bengals fanbase is breathing a little easier with official word and confirmation from Taylor. Now, the roster is set. The stars are going to play. And on September 8th the quest to the playoffs and the Super Bowl can officially begin.
The Cincinnati Reds entered their series against the Pittsburgh Pirates looking for a little redemption. The sweep at the hands of the Royals destroyed all of the momentum they’d gained from dismantling the St. Louis Cardinals. They managed to gain some of that back by taking two out of three from the Toronto Blue Jays. The Reda scored 11 straight runs in exciting fashion to take the finale and the series. Though expectations have dampened a bit for the Reds they went into Pittsburgh looking to keep up the hit offense they put on display in Toronto.
Game 1
But in game 1, Paul Skenes happened. The Pirates’ young ace has been dominant all year and game one in the series was no different. In just six innings Skenes struck out nine and gave up just two hits. His amazing rookie year continues as he’s now 8-2 with an ERA of 2.16 at 22 years of age. The Reds managed just two more hits against Pittsburg’s bullpen but none of those runners crossed the plate. Cincinnati has now been shut out three times in August.
Unfortunately for Reds fans, things did not go so well for their own young pitcher. Nick Lodolo’s struggles continued as he looked very sharp through almost five innings. But then the wheels fell off, as did the Reds’ chances of keeping the game close. Lodolo ended up surrendering five earned runs in another frustrating outing. Despite nine strikeouts of his own, Lodolo took the loss, dropping him to 9-6 on the year. Over his last seven starts he is 1-3 with a 7.78 ERA. These are hardly comforting numbers with Hunter Greene on the injured list.
Game 2
If game one was tough for fans to watch, game two likely made them pull out their hair in frustration. The Reds blew a five run lead to fall 6-5. They roughed up starter Bailey Falter but went hitless over the last four innings and struck out six times. While they had baserunners and chances to tie the game, nothing materialized. The Reds ultimately went 1-7 with runners in scoring position and left 6 men on base.
Injuries called on the Reds to promote and send Alan Busenitz to the mound in relief. He promptly gave up three earned runs before Justin Wilson allowed two more to take the loss. It was an improvised bullpen day due to an injury to starter Andrew Abbott. That injury was yet another blow to Cincinnati’s rotation. With Greene and Abbott injured and Lodolo faltering, what once was one of the Reds’ primary strengths is quickly turning into a liability.
Game 3
The bats awakened once again for the Cincinnati Reds in game three. They scored 10 runs, all without a ball leaving the park. They did wrack up four doubles and went a blazing 6-8 with runners in scoring position. Elly had a huge game going 3-4 with 3 runs and 2 RBIs to go along with some great decisions on the base paths that created major chaos. Plenty of other usual suspects chipped in, including Tyler Stephenson with another hit. Spencer Steer also had two more RBIs.
Most importantly was a great start for Julian Aguiar. The rookie made his second start of the year. He gave up just two runs on three hits in six very important innings. For a player at just 23 years of age it was a great performance to help the Reds get back into the series. And on top of that, Kasey Kelly notched his first major league save.
And then all those good vibes went out the door and Sunday’s debacle hit like a thousand pounds of bricks. The Reds offense struggled out of the gate, going scoreless through seven innings against Pirates starter Luis Ortiz. That seventh inning was a thrilling one where Elly De La Cruz singled, scoring Noelvi Marte. An error on a sacrifice bunt by TJ Friedl scored Jonathan India. Shortly afterwards Spencer Steer drew a walk that brought Elly home. And just like that it was 3-2 Reds.
To be fair the Reds got another good outing from Nick Martinez in a tough spot. Martinez has filled so many roles for the team this year. From starting games to opening them, to long relief, he has answered every call. And he did that again on Sunday. But even more impressive was the bounce back from Carson Spiers. After giving up nine earned runs in his last start and a mind boggling 22 earned runs in his last four outings total, he really focused in game three. Spiers threw three scoreless innings against the Pirates and gave up only three hits. It was a small vibratory to see him refocus and start fresh after he struggles he’s had.
Speaking of struggles, though, Alexis Diaz entered the game with a one run lead in the bottom of the ninth. The Reds closer got Rowdy Tellez to ground out for the first out but hit Bryan De La Cruz to put him on first. It was then up to Pirates catcher Yasmani Grandal. He didn’t disappoint Pittsburg fans as he planted an Alexis Diaz 1-2 fastball deep into right-center for a walk off win for the Buccos. This was just Diaz’s first blown save in his last 18 chances.
Sunday’s blown lead was the latest soul-crushing loss for the Reds. It was one that makes you question so much about the current composition of this team and its coaching staff. The game was winnable and your closer was on the mound with a chance to even the series on the road. The Reds had fought back and refused to give up and Alexis Diaz was ahead in the count. And yet, all it took was one pitch to watch it all fall apart. At this point, the Reds are who they are and losses like this aren’t as surprising as they might be for a deeper or more talented team. But that doesn’t make them any less frustrating to watch. The 2024 Reds have some of the fight and grit of the 2023 team but not the killer instinct to win tight games as they did last year. Sunday’s game was yet another painful reminder of that. They are now 3-50 when trailing after six innings.
We’ve reached the point of the season, or perhaps we’ve passed it already, where it’s clear that the postseason is out of reach. To be entirely honest, this team as it is currently constructed, is farther away from contention than most fans expected. This is a hard pill to swallow for so many of us who have heard “don’t worry, they’ll be better next year!” for our entire adult lives.
The metrics for success, then, are how well our young players continue to develop and whether this team can give the fans some hope for real success next year. There may yet still be some moments of genuine fun baseball for the 2024 Reds, we all might just have to look a little harder to find them.
Cover photo credit Matt Freed from the Associated Press
The Bengals had their preseason finale yesterday in a 27-14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, where we saw the backups fight for the last few roster spots available against the Colts starters, here are the main takeaways from it.
The Good
There were a lot of positives to take from the loss, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. While many key contributors like Joseph Ossai, Kris Jenkins, Dax Hill, and DJ Turner, were put to the sideline, the Bengals were deep into the depth chart early with guys fighting for a spot on the 53 man roster, the Practice Squad, or perhaps a spot on a different team. We saw the D-line depth step up, as UDFA rookie Justin Blazek had a strip sack fumble and 6th round rookie Cedric Johnson made plays, including a quick sack that was negated by a penalty in the secondary.
The depth on defense shined, as LBs Shaka Heyward with 8 tackles and Maema Njongmeta with 11 were all over the field. In the cornerback room, it was Josh Newton who excelled with a bounce back game, as he made a lot of big plays in coverage and in the run game. Overall it was Jordan Battle that showed what he can do for this defense this season, as he picked off Colts QB Anthony Richardson for a touchdown, and made a few hard hitting tackles in the run game.
On the offensive side, we saw great games from the center and right side of the o-line, as Matt Lee, Nate Gilliam, and Jaxson Kirkland showed a final push to potentially get a spot on the roster, specifically in the pass game. Besides that, there were plays where we saw TE Erick All shine in putting his body on the line for hard hitting blocks and setting up big plays for Trayveon Williams, who finished with 11 carries for 66 yards. The MVP on offense though has to be Jermaine Burton again, who caught 4 balls for 56 yards and a touchdown, as he showed again that the team could lean on him if they need this season.
The Bad
The Bengals were looking at many position battles and roster spots yesterday, but one that gave them more questions is Ryan Rehkow. Ryan had an opportunity to win the punter job as Brad Robbins is still resting his injury. There were some punts that would catch your eye, including two that were fair caught/touched inside the 10 where he would show his power and hang time in them. For every one you’d think he won the job there were punts that would be missed and go out of bounds for only 29 yards. His performance has put a question mark on whether or not the Bengals will go with him, Robbins, or potentially look in the waiver market for someone.
Logan Woodside was another player that needed a decent showing to earn his spot at QB3, but before his 21 yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Burton, he was 15/20 for 77 yards and threw an ugly pick that was overturned early in the game. His spot as the 3rd quarterback is now in jeopardy as the Bengals may look at different options to put on the practice squad.
The Ugly
This training camp/preseason was an opportunity for a lot of players to be given a chance and show enough to earn a spot on the 53 man roster. This is why watching Jackson Carman and Trey Hill have not been able to take anything with the opportunities given. With Carman, the Bengals have given the former 2nd round pick endless opportunities to earn a spot as a starter, as he has played all over the line competing in training camp battles and coming in off the bench, but has failed to show anything that you would want to see from a 2nd round draft pick. As for Trey Hill, the Bengals have also given him opportunities in getting the best out of him at guard and center, but the former 6th rounder has been the odd man out throughout, as he’s still shown whiffs and penalties that you’ve seen out of him as a rookie. It is likely that the Bengals will look back at the 2021 draft class and admit they made the wrong picks with their offensive lineman, as Carman has been released, D’ante Smith has landed on IR, and Trey Hill is expected to be released.
Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow is coming off his 2nd season ending injury after he tore his scapholunate ligament in his wrist. Essentially, it is almost the equivalent to tearing your ACL. The franchise field general, who signed a 5-year $275 million extension in 2023, is looking to rebound, and I have every reason to believe it’ll be his best season yet.
Joe Burrow in a preseason game vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bengals Stunk during the start of 2023
Joe Burrow started off camp slinging the ball in 2023. However, on July 27th, Burrow pulled his calf which sidelined him for over a month. The injury clearly altered his style of play when the season opened on the road against the Cleveland Browns. He wasn’t mobile in the pocket, and he couldn’t plant his foot. His accuracy was all out of sorts, and he threw for a career low 82 yards. This style of play continued into the first half of the following game, vs the Baltimore Ravens. But the Bengals offense started to click, coming within 3 points. But, Burrow re-strained the same calf on a roll-out touchdown pass to WR Tee Higgins. This took Burrow out of practice the following week, but he played the Monday Night Football game vs the LA Rams.
Joe Burrow is hit while throwing in a 2023 week 4 matchup against the Tennessee Titans
He looked a bout as poor as he ever had in games vs the Rams and Titans. The Tennesee Titans blew the Bengals out 27-3. Burrow and the offense had no rythem and looked amongst the worst in the NFL.
The 2023 Rebound
He found his groove against the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks in the following weeks, but you could tell the calf was still bothering him from time to time. And then, following the week 7 bye, Cincinnati’s franchise quarterback was finally healthy and ready to take vengeance.
Week 8 was a prove it game for the Bengals against the future NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers. They finally had everyone healthy and it showed. Burrow looked like the QB the elite version of himself that earned him the big money. They dominated the game in every way, winning 31-17. Burrow threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns, earning AFC Player of the Week honors. The following week they played against the Bills in front of a sold out Sunday Night crowd. Burrow again dominated, throwing for a season high 348 yards, accompanied with two touchdowns.
Joe Burrow flexes after a big play against the San Francisco 49ers
Burrow looked a little more human the following week against the Texans. However, he still threw a deep beauty running to his weak side to Ja’Marr Chase for a touchdown, a beautiful tight window hole shot touchdown to WR Trent Irwin, and was as accurate as ever. Then, Burrow’s season came to an abrupt end during a Thursday Night Football game against the Ravens, after tearing the ligament in his wrist. He was playing as good as anyone in the league, and it was taken from him in an instant.
Why Burrow is ready for an MVP season in Cincinnati
Early after the injury, there was a lot of concern over whether the fact that Joe Burrow would come back to his full form. No quarterback has ever torn this same ligament in the wrist. It was a unique challenge for Joe, but there is no tougher guy for the task. Early on from OTAs, the average eye could easily tell that Burrow was back to his true self. His mechanics were the same, the velocity on the ball looks stronger, and he has had no issues throwing deep down field. The issue early on was the deep down the field accuracy, but with a strong pass to Tee Higgins in a preseason game against the Buccaneers, I feel like he’s finding this groove. He looks like the elite guy we saw in 2021-22 and parts of 2023.
So why would a bunch of practice film and a useless preseason drive make me determine him the league’s 2024-25 MVP? To start, the Bengals will face 3 teams with a new head coach or quarterback within the first 4. It is arguably the easiest stretch that Burrow and the Bengals have had to start a season since he got into the league. This off-season has also been the longest stretch that Burrow has gotten to participate in a training camp. Add that on top of the fact that his off-season started roughly 8-12 weeks before the rest of the NFL, this is the most amount of training Burrow has had during his NFL career.
Joe Burrow looking down the sideline as he watches the Cincinnati Bengals take on the Indianapolis Colts
The preseason drive may seem pointless to some, but from a film standpoint, he was as poise, strong, and as accurate as he’s ever been. The touch and the accuracy is back. The leadership never left, but it’s back on the field. He is ready to take this offense and drive it through him.
The Depth of the 2024 Cincinnati Bengals
Did I mention the fact that Joe has the deepest set of playmakers he’s ever had? From a revamped tight end group featuring Drew Sample and Mike Gesicki, to a deep wide receiver room. That room returns pro bowl WR Ja’Marr Chase, star Tee Higgins, a consistent option in Trenton Irwin, and an influence of young guys looking to make a name for themselves. Andrei Iosivas, Charlie Jones, Jermaine Burton, and Kwamie Lassiter have all had really strong camps in their own regard.
He has a new running back in Zack Moss. The speedster Chase Brown is also looking for a strong second season. And don’t let the influx of playmakers distract you from the fact that Burrow has the best offensive line he’s ever had.
Burrow is hungry and ready for a championship
In a recent interview with Kay Adams, Burrow said that he is focused on only team oriented goals. He wants that ring. He wants to hoist the Lombardi in the same spot he hoisted the National Championship trophy. I think puting personal goals aside this year will propel Burrow to that MVP level of play. He is forever focused on nothing but football but the Super Bowl will be on his mind all year round. I expect Burrow to do whatever it takes, and that to me, will lead to an MVP. The MVP campaign kicks off September 8th against the Patriots and I hope you are as excited for Bengals football as I am.
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Bengals QB Joe Burrow rolls out of the pocket against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The 2023 Season was a wash for the Cincinnati Bengals. Joe Burrow missed significant time in both training camp and the season, and the Bengals struggled without him. It’s no secret that any team will struggle without their franchise QB, and the Bengals are no exception. How can the Bengals return to the AFC Championship, and, more importantly, the Super Bowl? Here’s five keys that may just help them make that happen.
Bengals 5 Keys to Success
We’ll start with the most obvious of all the keys, and that is staying healthy. Joe Burrow has missed a portion of both the 2020 and 2023 season due to season-ending injuries. In 2021, Burrow’s first fully healthy season, the Bengals lit up the league. Burrow threw for 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns. Ja’Marr Chase pulled down 81 catches for 1,477 yards and 13 touchdowns. Even Chase has missed some games in his Bengals tenure due to various injuries. It’s no secret that if those two are healthy, the Bengals offense becomes one of the best in the league. In 2022, Burrow threw for 4,475 and 35 scores. The common denominator in both seasons? The Bengals made the Super Bowl, or the AFC Championship. If the offensive pieces remain healthy, the Bengals will be in business.
The second key on the list is establishing the run. To have any continued success on offense in this league, you have to have a run game. The Joe Mixon era has come and gone, as the long-time Bengal signed with Houston in the off-season. Zack Moss and Chase Brown are to share the load at the running back position. While that’s all fine and dandy, Moss and Brown have to prove they can be a threat on the ground for this Bengals team. The running back corps recently rated 30th out of 32 teams. Without any significant help from the run game, Joe Burrow will be relied on to carry this team with his arm, which is possible, but it surely doesn’t help.
Next on the list of keys is winning on third down. After ranking 23rd in the NFL on third down in 2023, the Bengals need to step it up in 2024. The 2023 season saw them allow a whopping 41% third down conversion rate. Some of that had to do with personnel, but some of it had to do with wrong place, wrong time. The Bengals have to be better about getting off the field on third down, and getting the ball back to Burrow and the offense. If Cincy can get back into the top half of the league on third down, that’ll buy more chances to score.
Fourth on the list is protecting the QB. This is an obvious point, but one to be reiterated for the Bengals. The Bengals have spent a lot of money on the offensive line, but Burrow remains one of the most sacked QBs in football. Since 2020, Burrow is the second most sacked QB with 148 times. If the Bengals want to accomplish key number one, it starts with keeping Burrow upright in the pocket. Even though the Bengals QB has a knack for being mobile within the pocket and extending plays, it’ll make everyone feel a little bit better if our $40 million guy isn’t running for his life.
The final key here is simple, win the turnover battle. When the Bengals win the turnover battle, they’ve been particularly good, as is the case for most teams. For example, the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers have been especially good at forcing turnovers. The reason those two teams are some of the highest scoring teams in football is because gathering interceptions and fumbles allows their offense more opportunities. This will allow the the team to be able to put more points on the board, essentially winning more games. As the old adage goes, “Defense wins Championships”.
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