Arkansas Bengal

Nick Suss, The Oak Ridger Fri, Feb 9, 2024, 2:25 PM CST·2 min read Tee Higgins, one of the best high school football players to come out of Tennessee in the last decade, isn't ruling out a return to his home state as a pro with the Tennessee Titans. Higgins, the standout Cincinnati Bengals receiver, is a free agent this offseason after four years, 257 catches and 24 touchdowns with the Bengals. The Oak Ridge High School graduate and two-time Mr. Football winner will have the opportunity to re-sign with Cincinnati or be franchise tagged by the team that drafted him. But if Higgins does hit the open market, his home state connection and familiarity with Titans coach and former Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan make the Titans a natural fit. "It would be good," Higgins said about joining up with the Titans speaking to The Sick Podcast on radio row at the Super Bowl on Thursday. "Going back home to family and then being able to play for a coach that I’ve already been under. It would be ideal." Higgins only played in 12 games in 2023 but still amassed 656 yards and five touchdowns. He surpassed 1,000 yards in 2021 and 2022, helping lead the Bengals to division titles both years. He's also proven stellar in the playoffs through his career, including a 100-yard, two-touchdown performance in Super Bowl LVI. Callahan is the only offensive coordinator Higgins has ever played for. The Titans hired Callahan in January after five years designing Cincinnati's offense, the last four of those spent with Higgins. "(He has) a great offensive mind," Higgins told TennesseeTitans.com about Callahan. "I was able to pick his brain a little bit, and learn new things about the game that I didn't know. He's just a great offensive mind." NFL teams are allowed to franchise tag players between Feb. 20 and March 5 this offseason. If Higgins and the Bengals do not agree to a contract extension before March 11 and Higgins is not franchise tagged in the aforementioned window, he will become a free agent. https://sports.yahoo.com/tee-higgins-calls-chance-reunite-202558729.html

Ben Baby, ESPN Staff WriterFeb 9, 2024, 06:00 AM ET CINCINNATI -- Tyler Boyd has caught 513 passes with the Cincinnati Bengals. And one of his most memorable moments involved none of them. In 2019, Boyd started cramping in the final seconds of a Week 16 game against the Miami Dolphins. Had Boyd stayed down and been unable to make it to the line of scrimmage, a mandatory 10-second run-off would have ended the game and Cincinnati's chances of a dramatic comeback. So Boyd crawled along the turf, staggered to his feet and lined up in time for the Bengals to stop the clock and set up a game-tying touchdown and two-point conversion at the end of regulation. The Bengals eventually lost in overtime, sealing their status as the NFL's worst team in 2019. But that play showed how valuable Boyd could be even without catching a touchdown pass. It's one of the ways he has displayed leadership during his Bengals tenure, which started when he was a second-round pick in 2016. But that tenure could be ending soon. Boyd, 29, is set to enter free agency, leaving his future as a Bengal uncertain. But his impact on the franchise's turnaround is undisputed. Boyd had a major role in setting the foundation that transformed Cincinnati from the NFL's worst team to a championship contender. It's one of the reasons why Bengals quarterback Jake Browning, whose locker is next to Boyd's, interrupted Boyd's final media scrum of the season. "In the receiver room, obviously we've got a ton of talent there," said Browning, who started the final seven games of the season after Joe Burrow suffered a torn ligament in his right wrist. "But a big, unsung hero of the locker room. I hope he's back. But wherever he goes, someone's going to be lucky to have him." Boyd entered the season as the longest-tenured player on the roster. His breakout moment came in the season finale in 2017, when he caught a game-winning touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens. The former Pitt standout is one of four players -- along with running back Joe Mixon, defensive tackle Josh Tupou, defensive end Sam Hubbard -- who predated coach Zac Taylor's arrival in 2019. As Taylor worked on changing the franchise and establishing a winning culture, Boyd played an integral role, from helping the coaching staff's message filter through the locker room to establishing an example for others, including young receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase. Two of Boyd's key traits, a great attitude and daily consistency, were important for building the culture that Taylor wanted to create. "He's one of those guys, that through thick and thin, is always, 'Whatever you need from me coach,'" Taylor said in May 2023. "He's always been a great leader in the locker room. He's always been someone I've been able to go to and know that I'm going to get a truthful response back on how things are going." When Boyd arrived, A.J. Green was still in the midst of his run as the team's No. 1 receiver. Boyd led the team in receiving in 2018 and 2019 as Green battled injuries. Once Cincinnati drafted Higgins in 2020 and Chase a year later, Boyd's role in the offense diminished significantly. However, Boyd never expressed any frustration over a lack of targets. Instead, he showed the way forward for the two blossoming stars. "With each one of those guys joining the team, his touches went down, and he kind of set the tone that it was not a 'I gotta get mine' type of receiver room," Browning said. "And I think that's an underrated part of the room in general." In eight seasons, Boyd had 513 receptions, 6,000 yards and 31 touchdowns. At the peak of his career, he was known as one of the most sure-handed receivers in the league. Between 2020 and 2022, he had four total drops in the regular season, matching the same number he had in 2023. With Burrow signed to a big extension and Chase and Higgins also eligible for new contracts, Boyd is among those who could be too pricey for a Bengals team trying to manage the salary cap. In that case, Cincinnati will not only need to replace their starting slot receiver but also try to fill a massive leadership void. The type of leadership that was on display against Miami in 2019. "I was just willing to do anything I could to help the team win," Boyd said. "That's what showed on that tape." https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39478089/are-tyler-boyd-days-bengals-over

Chris Roling February 7, 2024 5:50 pm ET Former Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth knows a thing or two about building a good team in the local area. Whitworth, after all, had plenty of playoff appearances with the Bengals during his time in town. The key is obvious, too, he said this week during Super Bowl media interviews. “If you look at the history of the Bengals in the last 20 years, their runs have been dictated by great drafts,” Whitworth said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “Not just good players who could start, but great ones. Look at what we did from 2011-15 with guys like A.J. Green, Geno Atkins, and Carlos Dunlap. And then when Joe came, there were those great drafts and now they’re at the end of that trying to keep as many of them as possible. They’ve got to kill the last draft and this one.” The Bengals appear to be well on their way with that 2023 draft class. Defenders DJ Turner and Jordan Battle got key snaps and could start for the long-term. Wideouts Charlie Jones, Andrei Iosivas and running back Chase Brown showed big upside in their respective roles and first-rounder Myles Murphy really started coming on at the end of the season. Of course, the Bengals still need to crush the 2024 draft class for Whitworth’s point to hit home. The team approaches that class with needs along the offensive line and defense after last year’s struggles with explosive plays. https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2024/02/07/andrew-whitworth-bengals-super-bowl-window-open/?utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2l02VN0HyRgpjK0Nk-cIfXeCWXAWikQMfaL5qPBtZmfLpVkIut-pwYC0o

Greg Wilson Fri, Feb 2, 2024, 4:16 PM CST·1 min read 1 Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. has already been a great addition on the field, but he also tries to do what he can off the field as well helping other players. He has been in contact with Tyler Guyton, a right tackle from his alma mater Oklahoma for a while now, trying to help him improve his game as the NFL Draft comes up. “He’s been a great mentor. He’s been like a big brother,” Guyton said Jan. 30. “He’s telling me to take this time very personal because it’s going to separate me going into the draft. He’s very respectful to me even though he’s already in the league, but he talks to me like a brother.” The 6-7, 328-pound Sooner will be drafted in April, and with the possibility of Jonah Williams leaving in free agency, the Bengals could be in need of someone on the right side of the line, and Guyton could fit that bill. Brown has been in contact with Guyton for a while now, and whether the right tackle ends up with the Bengals in the draft or not, Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said he’s been happy with the way Brown has contributed on and off the field. “Orlando, his intangibles are off the charts,” Tobin said. “His tangibles are off the chart. He’s big. He’s hard to get around. He’s everything that we saw that we wanted and we wanted a guy with substance to him on and off the field and we got that. I’m pleased for Orlando and as he enters year two in our scheme with our players, he’ll get even better.” https://sports.yahoo.com/orlando-brown-jr-helping-oklahoma-221654561.html

Kelsey Conway, Cincinnati Enquirer Tue, Jan 30, 2024, 8:06 PM CST·2 min read MOBILE, Ala. – Cincinnati Bengals director of personnel Duke Tobin spoke on a number of topics at Senior Bowl, including an update on where things stand with wide receiver Tee Higgins and his future with the franchise. Higgins, 25, is no longer under contract with the Bengals. Higgins and the Bengals were unable to reach an agreement on a long-term deal prior to the start of the 2023 season. A source close to the situation told The Enquirer in September the Bengals and Higgins never got close on an extension last offseason. Tobin made headlines with his comments on Higgins last year in late February at the NFL scouting combine when he said the franchise wasn't interested at the time in trading Higgins for future draft picks. This year, Tobin answered a question regarding Higgins a little differently due to a change in contract status. "Last year, Tee Higgins was under contract to us," Tobin said on Tuesday afternoon. "He was a guy that we drafted for that reason, to be a contributor for us. He’s not under contract now so we’re going to have to work through how to do that and if it’s possible and we’ll have to go through the gymnastics of that. So it’s a different scenario than it was last year. Trading a high-level player that’s under contract just because the future might demand it, that’s never really on my mind." Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) gestures toward the official after catching a touchdown pass as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Akayleb Evans (21) defends in the fourth quarter of a Week 15 NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals won 27-24 in overtime.More As far as what happens next with Higgins, it's pretty simple. The three options for the Bengals with Higgins are the following: Place the franchise tag on him and keep him around for one more season at $20-plus million, tag him and then trade him to get draft picks or let him go to another team in free agency. The Bengals have from Feb. 20 to March 5 to place the franchise tag on Higgins if they opt to go that route. If they don’t, it’s a sign they plan to let him become a free agent."We’ll see what happens this year," Tobin said. "I want Tee Higgins back. Everyone on our team would like to have Tee Higgins back. Again, there’s one pie and how big of a slice that takes and what else we can’t do because of it, we’ll have to determine and we’ll see." https://sports.yahoo.com/heres-latest-cincinnati-bengals-tee-020622590.html

Chris Roling Mon, Jan 29, 2024, 8:00 PM CST·1 min read 2 The Cincinnati Bengals used a first-round pick on defensive end Myles Murphy last year, an attempt to boost the pass-rush right away and especially over the long-term. So how does that decision hold up now? With it being the offseason for all but two teams, re-drafts have started to become a thing. And in a 2023 re-draft from Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon, the Bengals go away from Murphy and instead draft offensive lineman Steve Avila: That pick would have created serious competition for Cordell Volson at left guard, which in hindsight, probably would have been a good idea. Still, Murphy was never projected as a guy who would command a ton of snaps as a rookie. He steadily improved, though, flashing some hints he’s got a chance to be a very good every-down player, potentially starting next season. In the 2024 draft, though, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the team attack the offensive line as early as the first round. https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-avoid-myles-murphy-2023-020010663.html

The Bengals promoted Pitcher to offensive coordinator last week. JAMES RAPIEN 1 HOUR AGO CINCINNATI — Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is still recovering from surgery after he had a ligament in his right wrist repaired in November. The surgery ended Burrow's season. The injury has led to plenty of speculation about the Bengals' offense and how it could change when the 27-year-old is back on the field. Will they go under center more? Will they run the ball consistently and be a more balanced offense like they were with Jake Browning at quarterback? "There's been a lot made of what did the offense look like over the final part of the season, and I really just think that's a product of us looking at it on a week to week basis, who do we have available to us, who are we playing and what do we need to do to win, and that's something we'll always do," Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said. "We'll look at some of those things that we did well at the end of the year, and certainly Joe Burrow is capable of doing anything you ask him to do, and so that's what we'll do this offseason is do a great job of deciding who we need to be moving forward, and then have the adaptability to adjust if we need to." The Bengals expect to have one of the best offenses in the NFL next season. They also know that the roster could look much different in May. They'll build around what they add and what they're able to retain, in hopes of becoming a contender once again. https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/dan-pitcher-praises-joe-burrow-capable-doing-anything-you-ask

The veteran wants to beat the Chiefs in a game that matters. JAMES RAPIEN 1 HOUR AGO CINCINNATI — The Bengals could be in the market for a new starting right tackle this offseason with Jonah Williams set to become a free agent. Will they go after Raiders veteran Jermaine Eluemunor? The 29-year-old has been a solid player for Las Vegas over the past couple of years. Eluemunor wants to join a team that can beat the Chiefs when it matters. "You can call me a hater, I don't care," he tweeted. "I don’t like the Chiefs at all … We beat them this year. Yeah cool, but I want to beat them when it matters. Don’t care who comments on this players, fans, I don't care. Congrats to them for making another Super Bowl, but I hope I get the opportunity to beat you when it matters. Joe Burrow is the only active quarterback that has beat Patrick Mahomes in the postseason. Tom Brady is the only other player that has led his team past the Chiefs in the Mahomes era and he retired last offseason. Eluemunor may want to help the Ravens overcome the Chiefs. That may be what he's implying especially after Baltimore's 17-10 loss to Kansas City on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game. It's worth noting the Ravens did take Eluemenor in the fifth-round (159th overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft. There's also a chance he sees a potential opportunity to join a Bengals team that has shown they can beat the Chiefs in the postseason. Eluemunor could certainly fill one weakness on Cincinnati's roster. Check out his tweet below: https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/jermaine-eluemunor-sort-of-hints-at-potentially-signing-with-bengals

Ben Baby, ESPN Staff WriterJan 29, 2024, 11:00 AM CINCINNATI -- One day after the Cincinnati Bengals' season officially ended, scenes inside their locker room offered reminders about the team's upcoming reality. Players traded jerseys with personalized messages, a tradition generally observed after games between players from opposing teams who are friends. Others bagged or boxed up their belongings and said their goodbyes before leaving town. And some offered words about an uncertain future. One of them was defensive tackle DJ Reader, a cornerstone of Cincinnati's rebuild. A right quad injury in Week 15 ended Reader's fourth season with the Bengals and the final one under his current contract. Standing on crutches, Reader pondered the end of this current iteration of the Bengals and what free agency might look like for him. And he had no idea. "It's kind of interesting," Reader said Jan. 8. "I'm in the middle of [the COVID-19 pandemic] last time. This time, I'll be in the middle of this [injury situation]. You never know. I don't know how it'll be." When free agency begins March 11, Reader will be one of a few key Bengals who could sign with a new club. According to OverTheCap.com, the Bengals will have a little less than $60 million in cap space. And Cincinnati will have some important decisions to make ahead of a pivotal 2024 season. DJ Reader Position: Defensive tackle Age: 29 2023 stats: 14 games, 20 tackles, one sack Outlook: Don't be fooled by the numbers. Reader was the first player the Bengals signed in 2020 free agency, a couple of months before drafting quarterback Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick. Reader signed a four-year deal worth $53 million in what was then the most the Bengals had ever given to an external free agent. Quad injuries ended his 2020 and 2023 seasons. But when he was healthy, he was a massive piece of Cincinnati's success. "He's just such a leader, such a consistent force on the defensive line," Bengals coach Zac Taylor said after Reader's season-ending injury. Reader carried a $15.6 million cap charge in 2023, according to Roster Management System. It's unclear what kind of market he will have coming off the injury. With Cincinnati incurring steep costs to maintain its offensive core, the Bengals will have to decide whether they can afford to have Reader back. Tee Higgins Position: Wide receiver Age: 25 2023 stats: 12 games, 42 catches, 656 receiving yards, five receiving touchdowns Outlook: Multiple factors led to Higgins' least productive year with the Bengals. He battled a couple of serious injuries -- a fractured rib in a Week 4 loss to the Tennessee Titans and a hamstring injury he suffered in a practice later in the season. He also had to contend with not getting a long-term deal done before the start of the season. Higgins caught 54.5% of his targets, the lowest catch rate of his career, according to ESPN Stats & Information. But his value was underscored in a Week 15 win over the Minnesota Vikings. With star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase leaving the end of the game because of a shoulder injury, Higgins stepped up and had four catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns, including an acrobatic 21-yard reception that was one of the top catches of the year. Higgins is a prime candidate to receive the franchise tag, which the Bengals have used in two of the past three offseasons. In 2020, Cincinnati receiver A.J. Green played on the tag. Two years later, safety Jessie Bates III played on the tag and cashed in 2023, when he signed a four-year deal worth $64 million with the Atlanta Falcons. Even with Chase in line for a massive contract extension soon, the Bengals can give Higgins a tag that is estimated to be worth $21.7 million by OverTheCap. Chase will be in the final year of his rookie contract in 2024, and Burrow's cap charge doesn't balloon until 2025. Burrow has already stated his desire to have Higgins back for at least one more season. "I expect him to be back," Burrow said Jan. 8. "I know everybody in the locker room wants him back." Joe Mixon is due a $3 million roster bonus on March 18, the fifth day of the new league year. If the Bengals cut him before then, they will gain $5.8 million in cap savings. Joe Mixon Position: Running back Age: 27 2023 stats: 17 games, 257 carries, 1,034 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns The outlook: Mixon faces an uncertain offseason for the second straight year. In 2023, Mixon accepted a renegotiated contract that lowered his salary cap charge to $8.4 million. The new deal featured a couple of important incentives, and he cashed in at the end of the season. He scored 12 total touchdowns, earning $350,000. And by the numbers, he was certainly productive. Mixon amassed 1,410 scrimmage yards. Since 2015, that is the eighth-highest total posted by a running back in his seventh NFL season or later, according to ESPN Stats & Information. But Mixon lacks the explosiveness that Cincinnati needs to punish opponents who are defending against Burrow and the Bengals' passing game. Among running backs with at least 100 carries, Mixon ranked 15th on runs of 10 or more yards against light defensive boxes (six or fewer defenders). That remains a point of emphasis for the Bengals this offseason. The Bengals will have to decide on Mixon's contract early. He is due a $3 million roster bonus on March 18, the fifth day of the new league year. If the Bengals cut him before then, they will gain $5.8 million in cap savings. While Mixon has been productive, Cincinnati is looking for more big plays on the ground in 2024, which could play a role in whether Mixon returns for his eighth season with the Bengals. "I think this offseason we'll be able to take a step," Burrow said. https://africa.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39387004/bengals-biggest-decisions-include-tee-higgins-joe-mixon

Detroit choked this one away…

Dan Campbell is a friggin moron.

Goodnight Baltiwhore!!! You SUCK!!! Losers!

Bwahahahahahaha. Lamar chokes again!!! nice INT you fucking LOSER!!!

Way to go flowers you suck

The ravens are pure scum - Go Chiefs!

Chris Roling Sat, Jan 27, 2024, 7:55 AM CST·2 min read The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the more interesting teams to watch in the 2024 NFL draft. Which makes 2024 NFL mock drafts must-see material. The thing about the Bengals — picking 18th this year — is that much of what they do in the first round hinges on how they handle premium positions in free agency. Lose offensive tackle Jonah Williams and the odds the team goes that way in the first round massively jump. Or, lose wideout Tee Higgins, no matter how unlikely that is, and taking a wide receiver is suddenly a likely thing. Here’s a look at what some of the top mock drafts have the Bengals doing near the end of January. ESPN Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Bengals addressing the offensive line with right tackle prospect JC Latham out of Alabama: NFL.com Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah also has the Bengals going with Latham: NFL.com Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks, though, has the Bengals going back to LSU wide receivers with Brian Thomas Jr.: Draft Network Syndication: Tuscaloosa News Draft Network’s Brentley Weissman goes right back to Latham: Pro Football Network Syndication: Online Athens Pro Football Network’s Joe Broback goes to the skill positions with Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, one of the most popular theories for Bengals fans: Sporting News Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer brings up a good point about the defense, with the Bengals certainly known for early-round defensive backs, having them take Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry: CBS Sports Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso also likes the idea of the Bengals going back to LSU talent with Thomas Jr.: FOX Sports Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports FOX Sports’ Rob Rang with one more suggestion about an LSU wideout: https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-nfl-mock-draft-roundup-135525987.html

Agree 100%!!!

Chris Roling Fri, Jan 26, 2024, 3:37 PM CST·1 min read Not too long ago, we suggested that the Cincinnati Bengals need to take the tight end position much more seriously in order to improve next season. One of the reasons for that idea was simply how well the position had performed for winning playoff teams over the first two rounds of the postseason. Fast forward to now, that same logic very much still applies ahead of the AFC and NFC title games. As Pro Football Network pointed out, all four teams taking part in championship weekend boast a top-10 tight end in terms of receiving yards at the position this year: Receiving metrics aren’t the only thing that matters, but it just goes to show that having a top-tier player at the position is a big deal for the NFL’s best right now. That’s important for a Bengals team that likes to be up on league trends, if not ahead of the curve. And it’s especially important for a team that seems likely to lose Tyler Boyd to free agency and franchise tag Tee Higgins, keeping him for at least one more season. Sure, finding a Travis Kelce or George Kittle isn’t easy. But spending bigger resources in an attempt to find one seems to be a good idea. https://sports.yahoo.com/more-proof-bengals-must-attack-213730458.html

He was willing to trade AJ McCarron to them, but Cleveland fucked up the paperwork...

I dislike the Chiefs, but I DESPISE the fucking Ravens. GO KANSAS CITY!!!

Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor Considered Giving Up Play Calling to Brian Callahan Taylor has been the Bengals offensive play caller since being named head coach in 2019. JAMES RAPIEN 2 HOURS AGO CINCINNATI — The Bengals officially introduced new offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher on Thursday. The 37-year-old takes over for Brian Callahan, who spent the past five years in Cincinnati. Callahan became head coach of the Titans earlier this week, which paved the way for Pitcher's promotion. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is expected to call plays again in 2024, but he considered making a change before Callahan landed a head coaching job according to Dave Lapham. "I heard that Zac Taylor was considering giving up the play calling role to Brian Callahan next season," Lapham told Lance McAlister on 700 WLW. "That changed when Brian Callahan moved on." Callahan will call plays for the Titans next season. And Taylor will likely remain the Bengals' play caller. This does show Taylor's willingness to change. He's open to ideas, which aligns with what Lapham said later in the interview. "It is done by democracy, it is not a dictatorship. Everybody has a voice and everybody has a big voice," Lapham added. "If you show that your voice merits it, you're gonna get a bigger voice and that's what happened with Dan Pitcher." Taylor and the Bengals are hoping to rebound after finishing 9-8 in 2023. Injuries to Joe Burrow and other key players derailed their season, but they're clearly open to making changes in hopes of maximizing their offense. https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/bengals-head-coach-zac-taylor-considered-giving-up-play-calling-to-brian-callahan

Jason Williams Cincinnati Enquirer Subject: Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator role Message: “The Bengals have a new offensive coordinator after Brian Callahan was named the Titans’ new head coach this week. Is this really that big of a deal? Zac Taylor calls the plays. The OC position doesn’t seem as important to the Bengals as it does other teams.” Reply: It’s not a huge deal, and that’s no slight against new offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, Callahan or anyone else who may hold the OC title during Taylor’s tenure. The Bengals could probably go without having someone with the OC title, and fans wouldn’t notice. How many times did you curse Callahan’s name when the offense sputtered this past season? That’s right, never. It’s Taylor’s offense. He calls the plays. Joe Burrow has a big say in the offense. The Bengals don’t have a passing game coordinator. And offensive line coach Frank Pollack is the run-game coordinator. It was no surprise the Bengals went in-house and promoted Pitcher on Thursday after he spent the previous four seasons as quarterbacks coach. Pitcher is a rising star in NFL coaching and having the OC title puts him on track to potentially being a head coach someday. Pitcher has been Burrow’s position coach since Day 1 of the star QB’s NFL career, and they have a fantastic relationship. Pitcher also has helped backup Jake Browning develop from a practice-squad player to potentially becoming an NFL starter someday. Pitcher’s duties probably won’t drastically change. He’ll continue to play a big part in helping to develop Burrow and Browning and have a big voice in planning the passing scheme. The Bengals aren’t alone in not having a traditional offensive coordinator who calls the plays. Entering the 2023 season, 14 other head coaches were also their team’s primary play-caller, according to ESPN. Half the teams still alive in the playoffs have their head coach calling the plays – Kansas City’s Andy Reid and San Francisco’s Kyle Shanahan. Reid has been calling plays for most of his head-coaching career with Kansas City and Philadelphia. The trend of younger head coaches handling play-calling has partly been inspired by 38-year-old offensive innovator Sean McVay’s success calling plays as the Los Angeles Rams head coach. Taylor is a member of McVay’s growing coaching tree. Bengals offensive coordinator takes backseat to Zac Taylor, Joe Burrow (cincinnati.com)

Playing a LAST PLACE schedule in 2024 instead of the HARDEST schedule in 2023 should help a lot.

Chris Roling Thu, Jan 25, 2024, 12:00 PM CST·1 min read The Cincinnati Bengals certainly feel like the top team that missed the playoffs this year, meaning they also feel like the likeliest to get back to the postseason in 2024. Despite a brutal injury bug that cost the team a top-five quarterback for all but four games this past season, the Bengals finished 9-8 — a record that sent other teams to the playoffs in other divisions (all three non-Bengals AFC North teams made the playoffs). Experts would agree with the idea, with The Athletic’s Mike Jones ranking the Bengals as the top team that missed the playoffs likeliest to get back next season: Given the injury to Joe Burrow and a host of other factors, it’s one of the easiest years to make such rankings. And just to show how stacked the AFC is, the Jaguars, Chargers and Jets are the first three teams in the rankings after the Bengals. Cincinnati still needs to properly navigate a critical offseason, but there’s no question that with a healthy Burrow, they’re the most likely to make a postseason return. https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-top-list-non-playoff-180037928.html