Although going 9-8 in 2023, the Bengals finished last in the AFC North. Cincinnati will need their franchise quarterback to complete a full season in 2024 after only playing ten games a season ago.
The Cincinnati offense will look a little different this season after some notable changes. After seven seasons with the Bengals, Joe Mixon was traded to Houston this offseason. In addition, after eight seasons with the team, Tyler Boyd departed to Tennessee in free agency this offseason. Some well-known Bengals from around the locker room and city will now be playing for other AFC foes in 2024.
The Bengals were able to replace Tyler Boyd through the draft with Alabama receiver Jermaine Burton. Burton comes into the offense as the new WR3 in Boyd's place and will play beside both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Despite there being some drama surrounding Tee Higgins this offseason, he will remain a Bengal for at least the 2024 season. Along with drafting Burton, the Bengals signed a new pass catcher to take over as their TE1, Mike Gesicki. A pass-catching and good blocking tight end could easily end up becoming one of Joe Burrow's best friends on offense.
The team also signed Zack Moss to a two-year deal to enter the running back room with Chase Brown. Brown emerged as a solid player for the Bengals in 2023 so I would imagine that Moss and Brown run by committee with no Joe Mixon. After ranking 22nd in total offense throughout the NFL, Cincinnati's offense will certainly look different in 2024.
In blatant terms, the Bengals defense was terrible last season. They ranked 31st out of 32 teams in total defense last year. With the 23rd ranked offense and 31st rated defense, the Bengals still somehow managed to finish the season 9-8. Just some little fixes on both sides of the ball could go a long way for Cincy in 2024.
Cincinnati added some defensive pieces including Sheldon Rankins to man the defensive line, Geno Stone, and Vonn Bell to the secondary as well. After cutting Nick Scott, the Bengals added new two safeties to upgrade their secondary. Cincy's pass defense ranked 28th in the NFL in 2023 and they believe these new pieces to the secondary will improve that abysmal ranking.
The Bengals will look a little different in 2024 after their disappointing 2023 season. The NFC North, like every year, will be a steep hill to climb, but with a healthy Joe Burrow, this team could go much further. Cincinnati will try to see if they can have more success in 2024 after embracing the in with the new and out with the old mentality.
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