I've been wanting to start a new thread on the offense. We can start with what Burrow said about the offense during his most recent interview, He flew under the radar compared to some of his other interview comments.

While Burrow said the record is a personal goal this season, he’s more focused on the success of the offense overall.

"We've got to be more explosive,” he said. “We've been great in third down and red zone situations, but we've got to get back to being the explosive offense that we were in '21 and '22.

“For a couple of years there, teams were playing us a little differently, so we had to adapt,” Burrow continued. “Now defenses are starting to turn back the other way, where they are pressuring more and playing a little more man, so we have to go back to burning them and becoming an explosive offense again."

For me, the O-line has to pick up where it left off at the end of last season. That is the single most important thing. Protect Burrow, provide decent run blocking all season and this, when healthy will be a top 3 O in the league. Picking up where they left off the prior year hasn't always happened.

2 hours ago, Jason said:

For me, the O-line has to pick up where it left off at the end of last season. That is the single most important thing. Protect Burrow, provide decent run blocking all season and this, when healthy will be a top 3 O in the league. Picking up where they left off the prior year hasn't always happened.

This. If the O-line is consistently average or above average we'll be fine. Add in a 3rd receiving option that can consistently beat 1-on-1s we'll be the BEST offense in the league.

3 hours ago, Jason said:

For me, the O-line has to pick up where it left off at the end of last season. That is the single most important thing. Protect Burrow, provide decent run blocking all season and this, when healthy will be a top 3 O in the league. Picking up where they left off the prior year hasn't always happened.

The experienced O-line was another subject Burrow addressed in his press conference.

The front office chose to keep the unit together both immediately and long-term while getting younger at guard and center.

Burrow himself emphasized during Wednesday's press conference that all of last season's starting offensive linemen returning is extremely beneficial for the start of the season, noting the past struggles at the beginning of the season from the offensive line.

"It's so beneficial at the beginning of a season when you have the reps of communication that we've had with those guys" Burrow said. "O-line is all about communicating, knowing where your help is, playing off of each other."

"When you have five returning starters, number one, that have done that, number two, that have all the talent to go and make it happen, that's a great feeling for me" Burrow said, "There's no question that we have to be better in the first couple games at those positions. The last half of last year they were unbelievable, and we just have to carry that in to the first couple weeks of this year and beyond."

1 hour ago, WRAPradio said:

This. If the O-line is consistently average or above average we'll be fine. Add in a 3rd receiving option that can consistently beat 1-on-1s we'll be the BEST offense in the league.

It isn't as if Iosivas hasn't been given every opportunity to step up as WR3. He has played in all 34 games over the last 2 seasons, averaged 79% and 77% of the offensive snaps in consecutive years. So what has he done as a receiver with all of that playing time? Iosivas has dropped over 8% of his targets in each of the last 2 seasons, and broken only one tackle in all that time.

Compare that receiving output to the much smaller Chase Brown, who has played in one less game over the last 2 seasons but has more receiving TDs than Iosivas (9 TD catches to only 8 for Iosivas) and has broken double-digit tackles. Brown even had more receiving yards last season than Iosivas, despite receiving fewer offensive snaps. Iosivas even received more snaps that Higgins due to Tee's concussion protocols. Which means Iosivas became WR2 when Higgins was down. And just 435 receiving yards with 4 TDs? Really?!?

So I don't know what the offense's answer could be for WR3, but I'm pretty sure the answer isn't going to be Iosivas unless he takes a MASSIVE leap forward.

Yoshi has to do a better job of holding on to the ball.

2 hours ago, High School Harry said:

Yoshi has to do a better job of holding on to the ball.

Young should be stealing his snaps before camp breaks, provided he can keep his hands off his woman & otherwise put in the work.

Ditto a healthy All but I'm still going to be holding my breath every time he gets hit, at least until he gets a few games in.

I'd put Tee on one side, Yoshi, Young or Tinsley on the other and Mr. Chase in the. slot!! You put a LB, nickel or Safety on Chase, not gonna be a Good Day! You bring your best corner down, Tee will kill you one on one.

15 hours ago, High School Harry said:

Yoshi has to do a better job of holding on to the ball.

Iosivas is definitely feeling some heat, and some of it seems to be coming from "things in the building." I took that to mean from coaches and/or the front office. Here is an excerpt from a recent Jay Morrison article:

“It's not letting outside noise get to me and letting circumstances get to me,” he added. “Whatever circumstance I'm in, I'm gonna do it and play the ball that I know how to play. I know I'm a great player, so I’m not letting people's opinions or things in the building irritate me.”

There are several things that could cause a gregarious player such as Iosivas pivot to such a “who cares” mentality:

• Going into a contract year with low expectations of return.

• The team drafting a player viewed as your replacement.

• Social media vitriol.

They’re all in play when it comes to Iosivas, but it the social media issue that caused him to get visibly emotional before shutting down the line of questioning.

“I had those drops in those games and people were telling me to kill myself,” he said. “I’ve never had that kind of stuff happen to me before. It got in my head a little bit when your DMs are flooded with people telling you to kill yourself.”

“It makes me angry, honestly,” he continued. “I don’t really want to talk about it.”

He didn’t really want to talk about his contract situation either.

Iosivas will be a free agent after the season. And the way he sounded, he expects 2026 to be his final year with the Bengals.

“I’m not really going into this year expecting anything,” he said. “I’m just gonna do me and whatever happens, happens. I don’t really hope for anything.

“It’s just how I am now.”

1 hour ago, dex said:

Iosivas is definitely feeling some heat, and some of it seems to be coming from "things in the building." I took that to mean from coaches and/or the front office. Here is an excerpt from a recent Jay Morrison article:

“It's not letting outside noise get to me and letting circumstances get to me,” he added. “Whatever circumstance I'm in, I'm gonna do it and play the ball that I know how to play. I know I'm a great player, so I’m not letting people's opinions or things in the building irritate me.”

There are several things that could cause a gregarious player such as Iosivas pivot to such a “who cares” mentality:

• Going into a contract year with low expectations of return.

• The team drafting a player viewed as your replacement.

• Social media vitriol.

They’re all in play when it comes to Iosivas, but it the social media issue that caused him to get visibly emotional before shutting down the line of questioning.

“I had those drops in those games and people were telling me to kill myself,” he said. “I’ve never had that kind of stuff happen to me before. It got in my head a little bit when your DMs are flooded with people telling you to kill yourself.”

“It makes me angry, honestly,” he continued. “I don’t really want to talk about it.”

He didn’t really want to talk about his contract situation either.

Iosivas will be a free agent after the season. And the way he sounded, he expects 2026 to be his final year with the Bengals.

“I’m not really going into this year expecting anything,” he said. “I’m just gonna do me and whatever happens, happens. I don’t really hope for anything.

“It’s just how I am now.”

I think Tinsley and Joe Baggadonuts are more at risk than Yoshi.

Unless Burrow finds him up to his ears in Olivia Pontone.

In terms of situational numbers, the offense doesn’t have a ton of room for improvement. They were 5th in 3rd down conversion percentage and 3rd in 4th down conversion percentage. They also committed the 3rd fewest penalties in the league.

Turnovers are an area that needs improvement. They had 24 total last year and 8 of those turnovers were returned for touchdowns. The other area that needs improvement is run game efficiency. Last year they were 2nd to last in rush attempt percentage. While I expect them to stay pass-happy in general, they can definitely improve when they do run it.

37 minutes ago, Inigo Montoya said:

In terms of situational numbers, the offense doesn’t have a ton of room for improvement. They were 5th in 3rd down conversion percentage and 3rd in 4th down conversion percentage. They also committed the 3rd fewest penalties in the league.

Turnovers are an area that needs improvement. They had 24 total last year and 8 of those turnovers were returned for touchdowns. The other area that needs improvement is run game efficiency. Last year they were 2nd to last in rush attempt percentage. While I expect them to stay pass-happy in general, they can definitely improve when they do run it.

Run game situational efficiency for sure. Here's a hypothetical. Bengals up by 9, facing 3rd and 2 at midfield with 5 minutes to play. An incomplete pass burns no time and loses possession. Do it a second time and you've lost the game if the opponent scores a touchdown and a field goal with their possessions. We need to start having the ability to close out games better. You've got to be able to convert 2 yards on the ground at a high percentage to ice a game. You burn 40 seconds and if you come up inches short, you need someone on the roster you can trust to take a direct snap and dive forward (preferably not Burrow). Again, to essentially ice the game. I despise Belichick as much as the next guy. But I also know end of game scenarios was something the Pats practiced maniacally during the era they were winning more rings then you can fit on one hand including your thumb. I certainly can't prove what Zac does or doesn't do, but from what I've seen on the field, there's room for improvement here.

5 hours ago, Inigo Montoya said:

In terms of situational numbers, the offense doesn’t have a ton of room for improvement. They were 5th in 3rd down conversion percentage and 3rd in 4th down conversion percentage. They also committed the 3rd fewest penalties in the league.

Turnovers are an area that needs improvement. They had 24 total last year and 8 of those turnovers were returned for touchdowns. The other area that needs improvement is run game efficiency. Last year they were 2nd to last in rush attempt percentage. While I expect them to stay pass-happy in general, they can definitely improve when they do run it.

And the 2 guys responsible for 1 shy of half of those, Browning and Fant, are gone.

42 minutes ago, Jason said:

And the 2 guys responsible for 1 shy of half of those, Browning and Fant, are gone.

Good point..

Remember Belichek pulled players having good games once they turned it over.

Extreme? Yes but it sent the message.

6 hours ago, Inigo Montoya said:

The other area that needs improvement is run game efficiency. Last year they were 2nd to last in rush attempt percentage. While I expect them to stay pass-happy in general, they can definitely improve when they do run it.

I agree that they need to run the ball more, but the overall run game efficiency seems fine.

9 hours ago, dex said:

“It's not letting outside noise get to me and letting circumstances get to me,” he added. “Whatever circumstance I'm in, I'm gonna do it and play the ball that I know how to play. I know I'm a great player, so I’m not letting people's opinions or things in the building irritate me.”

There are several things that could cause a gregarious player such as Iosivas pivot to such a “who cares” mentality:

• Going into a contract year with low expectations of return.

• The team drafting a player viewed as your replacement.

• Social media vitriol.

They’re all in play when it comes to Iosivas, but it the social media issue that caused him to get visibly emotional before shutting down the line of questioning.

“I had those drops in those games and people were telling me to kill myself,” he said. “I’ve never had that kind of stuff happen to me before. It got in my head a little bit when your DMs are flooded with people telling you to kill yourself.”

“It makes me angry, honestly,” he continued. “I don’t really want to talk about it.”

He didn’t really want to talk about his contract situation either.

Iosivas will be a free agent after the season. And the way he sounded, he expects 2026 to be his final year with the Bengals.

“I’m not really going into this year expecting anything,” he said. “I’m just gonna do me and whatever happens, happens. I don’t really hope for anything.

“It’s just how I am now.”

• Talks about it

• Talks about it more

• "I don't really want to talk about it"

👌

No hate but just go be a sportswear model dude, seems like the NFL is not the place for ya

1 hour ago, dex said:

I agree that they need to run the ball more, but the overall run game efficiency seems fine.

Be a lot better if they took that shotgun draw play out of the playbook.

5 hours ago, T-Dub said:

You say

"Be a lot better if they took that shotgun draw play out of the playbook."

Try convincing JB that..

He feels he thrives in it.

that said...they'll use it at Joes discretion......

The best way is to unlock a 3rd pass catching option. If Eric All is able to return to what he was becoming, that's the answer.

On 5/22/2026 at 8:16 PM, T-Dub said:

Young should be stealing his snaps before camp breaks, provided he can keep his hands off his woman & otherwise put in the work.

Ditto a healthy All but I'm still going to be holding my breath every time he gets hit, at least until he gets a few games in.

Hard to know what to think about Young's chances. His college production wasn't great, probably because of the suspension in 2024 and the fractured leg in 2025. Georgia QB had a 112 QB rating last season when targeting Young, so his biggest production issue seems to be a lack of targets.

With Howell and TDavis expected to have more specialized roles as rookies, Young is the only one of this year's draftees that Zac Taylor stated was "in the mix" for a potential starting job. That would be WR3. I still think Iosivas is more likely to be the starter in W1, Young will have a chance to prove himself in the preseason games. He might ball out. Here is what some of his former college teammates had to say about Young after the draft.

"The epitome of a Bengal," says guard Jalen Rivers, rattling off head coach Zac Taylor’s definition. "Physical, hungry, accountable teammate who'll do whatever it takes to get the job done. That's who he is."

"I can't say enough about the guy. He's just a positive guy every day," says left guard Dylan Fairchild. "No. 1, he's a great dude. And he's a playmaker."

"He has one of the craziest catch radiuses I've ever," says right tackle Amarius Mims. "I've never really seen him drop a ball."

The 6-4, 218-pound Young played for a year with Rivers at the University of Miami. He played for a year with Fairchild at the University of Georgia. Young just missed Mims at Georgia by a year, but the big fella has enough good connections to get a good view of the games.

"All my encounters with him have been pretty good. When I go to Athens, I always talk to him. I think he has his head on straight," Mims says. "He brings a lot of good things. He's a big, rangy, receiver. Good routes.

"When I was at spring practice, he's one of these guys where they could just throw it up to him."

If he sounds like Bengals Pro Bowl wide receiver Tee Higgins, it's because he's got a similar length and game.

"His style of play reminds me of Tee. Those long arms, long legs, and he's got the soft hands," Rivers says. "We speak so highly of him because we saw him every day and how he took care of business."

Fairchild remembers the hands. "He makes some crazy catches. Great routes. But the dagger to him is his hands. Great hands. You'd see him at practice and say, 'This dude is going to be a top 32 pick.' Great locker room guy. Brings the energy. Great personality."

1 hour ago, dex said:

"The epitome of a Bengal," says guard Jalen Rivers, rattling off head coach Zac Taylor’s definition. "Physical, hungry, accountable teammate

Oh man they're still doing that "PHAT" thing?

😬

On 5/23/2026 at 7:21 PM, T-Dub said:

Be a lot better if they took that shotgun draw play out of the playbook.

Might be far better if Burrow lined up under center far more often. Matthew Strafford threw 46 TDs against 8 int on his way to league MVP at age 37.

Matthew Stafford took 60% of snaps from under center last year.

#1 highest under center rate for any QB in the last 5 years.

Stafford's EPA, success, completion rate, explosive pass rate were all better from under center.

28:1 TD:INT under center.

18:7 TD:INT from shotgun.

26 minutes ago, dex said:

Might be far better if Burrow lined up under center far more often. Matthew Strafford threw 46 TDs against 8 int on his way to league MVP at age 37.

Matthew Stafford took 60% of snaps from under center last year.

#1 highest under center rate for any QB in the last 5 years.

Stafford's EPA, success, completion rate, explosive pass rate were all better from under center.

28:1 TD:INT under center.

18:7 TD:INT from shotgun.

The blame for this or all the goofyass draw running plays always seems to be on Burrow calling audibles. I guess if the Tremendous Offensive Minds try to stop him he beats them with rubber hoses? Why not just let him call the plays if he's constantly checking out of them anyway and everyone is powerless to stop him?

Just more of this shit

TE is where we can make some great strides. It'd be huge if Erick All can be healthy and a force at TE. Ditto for their 7th rd pick out of Texas

381

On 5/25/2026 at 10:46 AM, T-Dub said:

The blame for this or all the goofyass draw running plays always seems to be on Burrow calling audibles. I guess if the Tremendous Offensive Minds try to stop him he beats them with rubber hoses? Why not just let him call the plays if he's constantly checking out of them anyway and everyone is powerless to stop him?

Just more of this shit

Stafford..allways had the arm to complete throws wherever.

I'm looking at the stats you posted.

I see

28-1 under center.

Is this the best ever??

I look at 18-7 in the gun

That's possibly SB numbers as well

.

Burrow should see this map for the heights he desires to reach..