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What we learned from Bengals’ offseason as training camp approaches
The Cincinnati Bengals are just a few weeks away from the start of training camp, and the 2023 season is on the horizon.
Following the AFC championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in January, the Bengals spent the past four months tweaking the roster in hopes of making another Super Bowl run.
Cincinnati’s starting lineup will have some new faces in key positions. Safeties Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates and tight end Hayden Hurst will be playing for different teams this year. Left tackle Orlando Brown, safety Nick Scott and tight end Irv Smith Jr. are the newcomers and will fill starting roles right away.
Coach Zac Taylor retained his entire staff, including offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons. The continuity of the coaching staff is unquestionably a bonus for the Bengals.
Here are the biggest highlights of the offseason:
Bengals have yet to reach contract extensions with Burrow, Higgins, Wilson
Over the course of the past two seasons, the Bengals’ front office made plenty of decisions, all with a few upcoming contract extensions in mind. Quarterback Joe Burrow and his new deal remain the top priority for the franchise.
During minicamp, Burrow was asked if he would be comfortable playing the upcoming season without a new contact. As he’s done for the most part when discussing this topic, he refused to publicly comment on the situation.
“I think I’ve given you guys all the information that I’m comfortable with sharing about that process,” Burrow said. “As far as questions go about that, probably save that for another time.”
The Bengals and Burrow not having an extension in place yet shouldn’t be worrisome. Typically, Cincinnati’s front office puts the wheels in motion on the larger contracts around the start of training camp.
However, this year is a little bit of a different circumstance. Wide receiver Tee Higgins and linebacker Logan Wilson’s deals are dependent on Burrow’s contract. It’s hard to imagine a scenario in which any player gets paid before Burrow. It’s a massive puzzle the Bengals are trying to put together.
Based off the current quarterback market, Burrow is likely to be paid more than $52 million per year.
If the Bengals don’t have a new deal in place with any of the three players mentioned above before Week 1 of the regular season, cause for concern would be appropriate.
Awuzie looks like he’ll make full recovery
When the Bengals lost cornerback Chidobe Awuzie for the season with a torn ACL on Halloween, Cincinnati’s defense took a massive hit. Awuzie was playing as well as any cornerback in the NFL at the time.
After months of rehab, Awuzie appears to be well on his way to making a full recovery.
Although he was unable to take part in any of the on-field work during OTAS, Awuzie was present at each practice working with the Bengals’ medical staff. He appeared to be moving well and is “right on track” for where he needs to be.
The team’s hope is he will be fully cleared this summer and can participate in training camp to ensure he’s ready to go Sept. 10.
Awuzie’s presence is needed for the Bengals as they will have a relatively young secondary this season. With the departures of Bates and Bell, Awuzie and Mike Hilton will be the veterans in the room.
This is an important season for Awuzie as he enters the final year of his contract. The team signed Awuzie to a three-year deal worth $21 million in March 2021.
Williams ready despite offseason trade request
When the Bengals signed Brown during the first week of free agency, it wasn’t long before Jonah Williams asked the team for a trade. Although Cincinnati
had suitors from other teams for Williams’ services, the Bengals opted not to move their former No. 1 overall pick.
Williams then didn’t show for the entire voluntary portion of the offseason program. He spent the time rehabbing his knee that he had to have surgically repaired and becoming a father to his daughter.
The addition of Brown meant Williams would have to move positions. In his introductory press conference, Brown shared his intent to play left tackle. In order for Williams to start for the Bengals, he’d have to embrace a move to right tackle.
When mandatory minicamp started, Williams was present but unable to participate due to not being cleared yet for full participation. He spoke candidly with reporters about the details behind the trade request in which he explained he wished the communication was better between both sides.
Williams is ready to put the drama behind him and be the best right tackle he can be.
“There are 64 tackle spots in the league,” he said. “To have any of them is a crazy, amazing opportunity that I’m super grateful for the chance. So, the plan is to play me at right tackle. I’m fired up to do it.”
Taylor believes the Bengals have the most depth he’s ever had since becoming coach
The Bengals are loaded on both sides of the ball. Barring any significant injuries, this team should be in the running to win the AFC championship again.
What makes this year’s roster different, though, is the depth. Over the past two seasons, injuries have cost the Bengals, specifically on the offensive line.
Director of player personnel Duke Tobin and the Bengals’ front office made sure to prioritize depth this offseason, and Taylor believes it’s the best he’s had since becoming coach of the Bengals in 2019.
“(The depth) is the best we’ve had, and it is hard in pro football now to have as strong as a 53-man roster that we can potentially have,” Taylor said.