Bengals CB Mike Hilton issues a challenge to teammate Cam Taylor-Britt that needs to be completed
It seems like years ago when Cam Taylor-Britt intercepted Patrick Mahomes with just one hand, a highlight moment that backed up all the honesty he put out to the world regarding how to stop rookie speedster Xavier Worthy.To say things have been downhill from there would be a bit of an understatement.Instead of a true […]
It seems like years ago when Cam Taylor-Britt intercepted Patrick Mahomes with just one hand, a highlight moment that backed up all the honesty he put out to the world regarding how to stop rookie speedster Xavier Worthy.
To say things have been downhill from there would be a bit of an understatement.
Instead of a true breakout third season following all the promise he showed in an injury-shortened 2023 campaign, Taylor-Britt has been one of the primary culprits behind Cincinnati's defensive ineptitude. From being benched against the Carolina Panthers, to allowing three touchdowns to the Baltimore Ravens two Thursday nights ago, the former second-round pick has been struggling to match expectations in virtually every way.
But those expectations aren't going anywhere if you ask his teammate in the slot, Mike Hilton.
There's no one to challenge Taylor-Britt as the Bengals' top cornerback. Dax Hill is out for the season, and DJ Turner has only just caught his footing on the other side of the formation. If the defense is going to start holding its end of the bargain in these final seven games, Taylor-Britt's improvement is a must.
Hilton knows it, and challenged Taylor-Britt to achieve it.
"This team needs him to be our No. 1 corner," Hilton said of Taylor-Britt to reporters Thursday. "Obviously he hasn't played up to that standard, but everybody in our room and on the defensive side knows how Cam is and knows how much he means to us. He just has to focus back in and do his job."
It means something coming from Hilton. The nine-year veteran has been a vital leader for the Bengals since arriving four years ago and the role suited him well last year amid so much turnover in the secondary. He saw Taylor-Britt display lockdown traits on his way to five interceptions in just 13 games played. That talent doesn't just disappear at such a young age.
"He's a young guy going through a slump," Hilton said of the 24-year old. "All athletes kind of go through some type of slump in their careers, but he has to find a way to dig himself out of it."
Cincinnati's next two games will present challenges with quarterbacks Justin Herbert and Russell Wilson playing fantastic football from under center. Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers are up first Sunday night with Wilson's Pittsburgh Steelers to follow after the bye week.
The time for Taylor-Britt's slump to end is here, but only he can put and end to it. Hilton laid the challenge. Whether or not Taylor-Britt completes it may determine the Bengals' playoff hopes.
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