The headline of the 2023 season might have been Joe Burrow’s injury, but that’s not the biggest reason for the team missing the playoffs. Jake Browning played well enough in relief of Burrow to win. It was the Bengals defense that really let this team down throughout the season. Getting Burrow back healthy this year is big, but if this team wants to make a serious run in the playoffs again, the defense must step up.

Protecting Burrow was definitely an offseason priority. Their 1st round draft pick, Amarius Mims is plenty talented, but raw with very little starting experience at the college level. He may develop quickly, but the Bengals need solid starters up front, not projects. Zack Moss has shown bursts of productivity, but he’s going to have to really improve in order to replace Mixon. The combination of a strong run game and an improved offensive line is going to be key to Burrow returning to form.

Offensively, this young exciting team is now starting to get paid. There’s only so much money to go around, which is why key contributors like Tyler Boyd and Joe Mixon weren’t retained. The roster is going to start being built around finances rather than talent and that’s when teams start to struggle to maintain their Super Bowl window.

Defensively, the front seven has to do a better job. Last year they were in the bottom third of the league in points allowed, yards allowed, pass yards allowed, and rush yards allowed. This doesn’t have to be a top ten defense for the team to be successful, but getting back to the top half of the rankings is essential.

Having Burrow back is going to give this team the swagger they were missing last year. If he can reignite this offense and get early leads in games that is going to help the defense. This team is too talented on the offensive side to not bounce back this year.

2024 Prediction: 12-5 2nd AFC North/Playoffs Divisional Round