The Cincinnati Bengals having whirlwind offseasons has become the new norm. With so many developments occurring or on the docket at Paycor Stadium, it's easy to get lost in everything that's happened.

That's why A to Z Sports had to have a chat with FanNation's Bengals publisher James Rapien. A Cincinnati native himself, Rapien has covered the Bengals for many years. He's also a co-host of the Locked On Bengals Podcast. 

To recap the offseason and get ready for the games to begin, we gauged Rapien's insight regarding five pressing topics about the Bengals, starting with one key word that may describe the team's outlook towards this year. 

John Sheeran: Coming one game away from the Super Bowl a year after falling just short of the Lombardi, what were your impressions of the team being at OTAs and minicamp? Does the team give off a different energy compared to a year ago?

James Rapien: I'm not sure the energy is much different, but Joe Burrow described it well when he used the word "urgency." Even though this is still a relatively young roster, they're loaded with experience and most of the guys on the roster have won and played in multiple playoff games.

They're aware of the talent they have and that this could be their best shot to a win a Super Bowl with so much uncertainty on the roster following this season.

JS: Excluding a potentially obvious answer in signing Orlando Brown Jr., what is one action or inaction that surprised you about this offseason?

JR: I'm surprised they haven't at least tweaked Joe Mixon's contract. That could still happen, of course. But the biggest surprise is the fact that they re-signed Germaine Pratt.

Given how frustrated he was on social media last year about not being on the field on some third downs, a divorce seemed inevitable. Instead, his market wasn't what he thought and they weren't going to give Vonn Bell a three-year contract, so they kept Pratt. He's a big part of their defense and it appears to be a wise decision for the Bengals, especially after adding veteran safety Nick Scott and taking Jordan Battle in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

JS: Relative to his performance last year, which player would you bet on improving this year?

JR: I have high expectations for this team. Guys like Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins should be even better this season, but I'm going to go with Cordell Volson.

The Bengals love his size, strength and work ethic. Some question his age, but no one outside of Burrow benefits more from the Orlando Brown Jr. signing than Volson. I expect him to establish himself as a franchise left guard this season and end any doubt about him being the long-term answer at that spot.

JS: What's more likely: Tee Higgins making his first Pro Bowl, or Ja'Marr Chase becoming a First-Team All-Pro for the first time?

JR: Chase being a first-team All-Pro. It's going to be hard for Higgins to make the Pro Bowl with established receivers like Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs and Tyreek Hill in the AFC. Meanwhile, it's realistic to think Chase could outperform that trio.

If he takes another step forward this season, there's a chance Chase puts himself in position to be the top wide receiver in the NFL.

JS: Let's say every projected starter is fully healthy for Week 1. I'll give you 4 options. On paper, the talent level on this team is: 

1. Significantly greater than last year
2. Slightly greater than last year
3. Basically the same as last year
4. Less than last year

JR: The talent is significantly greater than last year. The offensive line is much better with Jonah Williams at right tackle and Brown at left tackle. Burrow, Chase, Higgins and Volson are four offensive players that should take a step forward. Irv Smith Jr. can be everything Hayden Hurst was for Cincinnati last year and while the defense may take a step back in the safety room, they have a deeper defensive line. Their versatility will allow Lou Anarumo to make even more week-to-week adjustments.

The other thing they did to significantly improve was address the fourth wide receiver spot and their issues on special teams. They were a bad special teams unit last year. Adding punter Brad Robbins should help fix those issues. Charlie Jones should be an instant contributor as a punt returner and fourth wide receiver. They're deeper and don't have the glaring, obvious holes that plagued them last season. 

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Thanks again to James for taking the time to answer our questions. You can read all of his work at si.com/nfl/bengals, listen to Locked On Bengals however you consume your podcasts, and watch his analysis at Cincinnati Bengals Talk on YouTube.

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Featured image via © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK