Nothing's more sobering than getting punched in the mouth by a rival team. The Cincinnati Bengals' 34-11 bludgeoning from the Pittsburgh Steelers all but erased their playoff hopes, and further highlighted their problems entering the next season.

Injuries were clearly a factor. Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, DJ Reader, and Cam Taylor-Britt were all powerless to stop the destruction. A roster that believed to be Super Bowl-caliber was quickly exposed without star power to boost it.

2023 is as good as done for the Bengals. What needs to change for next year to be better? Let's express deliver a wishlist to Santa right before Christmas gets here. 

Fully healthy season for Joe Burrow

Nothing matters more. Not coaching, not scheme, not health at any other position group other than possibly offensive line. Having a full season of healthy Burrow is critical for the Bengals to achieve their ultimate goal. Jake Browning was another data point in concluding that backup quarterbacks can succeed temporarily, but all crash and burn eventually.  

No, the Bengals were not a better team, or an equally good team, with Browning out there instead of Burrow. The success simply wasn't sustainable. Let Burrow make it to the regular season with no ailments to speak of. No wrist problems, no calf strains, no internal organs malfunctioning, none of that.

Let Burrow live in as much comfort as possible while playing a 17-game slate. He's more than earned it.

Tee Higgins retained or a viable replacement plan

Who's Burrow gonna throw the ball to aside from Ja'Marr Chase next year? That's arguably the biggest question for the Bengals in the coming months. Both Higgins and Tyler Boyd are scheduled to be free agents in March. The most likely scenario is at least one of them will leave, and the higher priority to keep is the younger and more talented player in Higgins.

Higgins also has the most leverage to leave for a more lucrative deal. Does that mean the franchise tag is in play? They've gone that route before with a wideout. 

Anything can happen between the Bengals and Higgins. The only thing that can't happen is they let him walk and don't make a concerted effort to replace him on the open market or the NFL Draft. Relying on Andrei Iosivas to fill those shoes immediately is too big of a risk, despite the promise he's shown in a limited role. Cincinnati can even make a greater investment in the tight end room to compensate for Higgins' potential departure.

Plenty of options are on the table if the Bengals let Higgins pursue a different path. The option of doing nothing is ill-advised. 

Consistency in running and stopping the run

No one will ever confuse the Burrow-led Bengals with a team that prioritizes pounding the rock. That said, they can't be unable to produce anything on the ground in specific situations. A base always has to exist for the offense to be functioning at its highest potential. 

Outside of the second half of the 2022 season, that consistent base hasn't been established since Burrow took over. A full year with Joe Mixon and Chase Brown working in tandem behind an offensive line that should prioritize getting quicker where they can would be a good start. Retaining the under center concepts with Burrow being the one to hand the ball off is also a must.

If the Bengals offense had played the Bengals defense all year, perhaps they'd have more success running the ball. Stopping the run absolutely needs to be a point of emphasis, especially if DJ Reader isn't re-signed or healthy for the start of the season. Tackling issues should mostly dissipate, but better personnel along the defensive line would matter greatly. They can't get gouged by the AFC North again like they did this season.

Pass-rushing defensive tackle

On the subject of better defensive linemen, how about an interior pass rusher that can, I don't know, rush the passer? Long gone are the days where Geno Atkins was there to carry the responsibility. Larry Ogunjobi would run hot and cold during his lone season in Cincinnati, but that was still considerably better than the production they've gotten since he left last year. 

Reader's future has nothing to do with this issue. B.J. Hill is entering the final year of his contract, and the depth behind him at 3-technique is non-existent. Hill himself is not exactly the prototype for the position, and as evidenced by the 2021 season, is better maximized when paired with a proper attacking force like Ogunjobi was.

A true penetrating interior defender is rightfully very high on the Bengals' wishlist, or at least it should be.

Finished development in the secondary 

This was a fear for some at the start of the season, and it unfortunately came true. There was not only too much turnover at both safety and cornerback, the inexperience coupled with all the change was damning at times. Nick Scott proved to be a dud at safety. DJ Turner II's hot start to the year slowly regressed back to the norm for rookie cornerbacks. Dax Hill's first year as a starting safety seemed to be all over the place. 

Turner and Hill aren't going anywhere—nor should they be—and Jordan Battle has already overtaken Scott as the starter next to Hill. They need all three to become more well-rounded players in their second seasons as starters alongside a proven starter in Mike Hilton and an ascending star in Cam Taylor-Britt. 

Cincinnati planned ahead by investing in its defensive backfield. Now those investments have to pay dividends. 

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