The impressive team building of the Cincinnati Bengals

It was something of a miracle run for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021.

There were plenty of questions heading into the campaign. You would have been hard pressed to find any analyst or any Bengals fan for that matter predicting the stellar year they subsequently went on to achieve.

The doubters would certainly be proven wrong in their predictions as Cincinnati, a unit with a second year quarterback along with little to no playoff experience, got all the way to the arguably the biggest stage in sports, the Super Bowl. The journey to their first berth since 1989 was full of exciting moments. 

Bengals looking to replicate brilliant 2021

The wild card matchup with the upstart Las Vegas Raiders was a competitive one, with the Bengals winning 26-19. That would be their first playoff victory since the 1990 wild card against the Houston Oilers. Following that, their defense led by Trey Henderickson, Sam Hubbard, and Jessie Bates III neutralized the Tennessee Titans with their duo of A.J. Brown and Derrick Henry. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill was collectively kept in check by the secondary all night, tossing four interceptions. 

With the score knotted up at 16, Burrow and the offense got their rookie, phenom, kicker Evan McPherson a chance to move on to the AFC Championship against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. With a 52-yarder the only thing gatekeeping the Bengals from that showdown, McPherson would deliver. 

When the visiting Bengals looked dead in the water offensively and down 11 going into the half, the defense stepped up yet again. The Chiefs were put under lock and key, only mustering three points in the second half and overtime. The offensive fed off that energy and scored 17 points to advance to their first Super Bowl in 33 long years. 

Unfortunately, a hungry Matthew Stafford, Aaron Donald, and triple crown winning wideout Cooper Kupp, were able to hang on and hold off the upstart team in Cincinnati 23-20. Even though their ultimate goal was not reached, the Bengals, with a mediocre (at best) offensive line and a young and inexperienced core, gave the Cincinnati faithful and the league a glimpse as to what this team can be for years to come.

Now with the front office beefing up the wall to protect their franchise star, the Bengals are primed to have perhaps, an even better season. A loaded AFC could change things but, watch out for more chants of “WHO DEY.” 

The Duke of Cincinnati

One of the keys to the squad’s breakout year is the director of player personnel, Duke Tobin. He has been the mastermind of piecing this roster together through the draft and rock solid free agency pickups. 

Last year’s selections of pass-catcher Ja’Marr Chase was just a small dose of what Tobin has built in southwest Ohio. Burrow’s go-to-guy at Louisiana State University continued his effortless connection right out of the gate. Chase went on to rightfully collect his Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year trophies at the 11th edition of the NFL Honors. Kicker Evan McPherson was also an outstanding addition from the 2021 NFL Draft.

Chase finished fourth in receiving yards with 1,455 and third in touchdowns with 13. Chase also showcased his abilities after the catch by coming in at second in yards per grab with 18.0. As for the steady leg out of Florida, McPherson was a stud. Chosen in the fifth round and the only one picked at his position, it was a decision that went against the philosophy of most analysts and writers. 

Tobin’s decision after this campaign makes him look like a genius. McPherson was a sniper all season long. Number 2 for the Bengals nailed 9-11 50+ yard field goals and made 84% of his attempts overall. Better yet, he delivered in the postseason, He did not miss one, including 3-3 from 50 and further as well. 

After witnessing Burrow’s first go-around and this past season’s 51 sacks, Tobin went out and addressed the Bengals’ largest hole. Offensive line.

Time and time again we have seen front offices acquire a franchise quarterback and not protect him. The Indianapolis Colts with Andrew Luck, the Houston Texans with Deshun Watson, the Seattle Seahawks and Russell Wilson… The list goes on. 

It is worth mentioning Luck retired just after seven seasons in the NFL due to injuries. So, Tobin seeked out available offensive lineman and cashed out. La’El Collins, Alex Cappa, and center Ted Karras were all signed in March. Collins was a key cog of the dominant line in Dallas that boasted the likes of Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, among others. Cappa was a great presence, especially during the years of Tom Brady. He inked a four-year $35 million deal.

Karras signed a three-year $18 million contract to further bolster Cinicinnati’s front line of defense. Tobin has created a dangerous roster during his tenure and it will be a reason why this team will certainly be competing with the best of the best in the AFC. 

The final verdict

It is extremely hard to dispute that the Bengals will not improve record wise this upcoming season or, in the worst case scenario, regress. However, with a stronger conference and competitive division, especially if Deshaun Watson can take the field for the Browns, it will be incredibly difficult from the return to the Super Bowl. 

To be fair, that is not really a knock at all. Even though we have seen some teams return to the big game (Green Bay, Dallas, Miami, and of course New England) it’s always a challenge to get that far consecutively.

More teams than not in the AFC have a realistic chance of making the playoffs this year. With the Bengals facing Buffalo, Kansas City, and Miami, and Tampa in the NFC, as well as their divisional rivals, each one of those matchups could fall either way.

But their first nine games are extremely favorable with the Jets, Falcons, Steelers, Panthers, Saints, all with young/mediocre quarterback play. The Bengals defense should be able to hold their own. Before their week 10 bye, they could realistically sit at 8-2 or 7-3.

After the break is where the road gets tough. A game at Pittsburgh to start and then Tennessee, before the Chiefs, Browns, at Tampa, and rounding it off with Buffalo and Baltimore.

Overall, the Bengals will improve and surely competing for a spot in the playoffs once again hovering around 11 to 12 wins.