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Cincinnati Bengals’ 2023 season: 9-8, missed playoffs
Overview: The Bengals are a good team that just missed having their quarterback at full strength really at any point in the season. Joe Burrow spend the first chunk of the season playing through a calf injury that he suffered in training camp, and then he was lost for the season after tearing a ligament in his wrist during a Week 11 game against the Ravens. Cincinnati was 5-5 at that point and was never able to fight its way into playoff contention despite some solid play from backup QB Jake Browning. It was a disappointing finish for a team that made the last two AFC championships and played in a Super Bowl just two seasons ago.
Burrow will be back in 2024 and the Bengals have a boatload of cap space, which means they could get back to being at the top of the conference with just one offseason. The defense needs a ton of work, but they’re still an extremely talented squad. Cashing in on this offseason could get the Bengals back in the race for a Lombardi Trophy.
(Taylor Wilhelm/Yahoo Sports)
Key free agents
WR Tee Higgins
DL D.J. Reader
WR Tyler Boyd
OT Jonah Williams
CB Chidobe Awuzie
Who’s in/out? Considering their cap space, everyone might be able to come back for at least a year. Tee Higgins is a prime franchise tag candidate and they may even be able to bring back Tyler Boyd on a small deal that makes sense for continuity sake. Reader is coming off a season-ending quad injury, which puts his availability in doubt for the start of the 2024 season.
Wide receiver Tee Higgins will be one of the most sough-after free agents in the NFL this offseason. Will the Bengals find a way to keep him? (Photo by Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Key free agent needs
Offensive line
Wide receiver
Cornerback
Why the holes? Cincinnati still hasn’t been able to figure out the interior of their offensive line in a meaningful way. Jonah Williams being a free agent only complicates that matter with the team potentially…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/cincinnati-bengals-2024-nfl-offseason-primer-tons-of-cap-space-for-one-of-afcs-best-teams-012946577.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-02-23 01:29:46
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