Cincinnati Bengals finally receive much deserved praise from national media
For whatever reason, it seems like a lot of the national media is down on the Cincinnati Bengals entering the 2022 season. There's a lack of belief in Cincinnati's ability to repeat their success from last season and reach the Super Bowl again. There is even one prediction this offseason from an NFL Network analyst […]
For whatever reason, it seems like a lot of the national media is down on the Cincinnati Bengals entering the 2022 season.
There's a lack of belief in Cincinnati's ability to repeat their success from last season and reach the Super Bowl again. There is even one prediction this offseason from an NFL Network analyst that has the Bengals missing the playoffs.
CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo, however, has a bit of a different view of Cincinnati.
DeArdo praised the Bengals this week, suggesting that they were one of the teams that helped their quarterback out the most this offseason.
Last offseason, the Bengals helped Joe Burrow by drafting his former college teammate, Ja'Marr Chase. They also brought in three new offensive linemen that included second-round pick Jackson Carman. The result was an MVP-caliber season from Burrow and arguably the greatest season in Bengals history.
The offensive line still needed some work this offseason despite the Bengals' run to the Super Bowl. Burrow was sacked 70 times and, had he had a little more time late in Super Bowl LVI, he likely would have gotten the ball to Chase (who had streaked past Rams CB Jalen Ramsey) for a go-ahead score. The Bengals responded by signing three veteran linemen who between them have 150 career starts.
The Bengals have taken a lot of criticism over the years for the moves they have and haven't made.
But it's hard to think of a team that's done more for their young quarterback in such a short amount of time.
Cincinnati eschewed drafting an offensive lineman last year so they could reunite Joe Burrow with Ja'Marr Chase, his former teammate at LSU. Then this offseason, they signed three quality offensive linemen to help protect Burrow.
The narrative surrounding the Bengals is changing. And it's nice to see that some folks in the national media are coming around to the idea that Cincinnati is actually a good franchise that knows what they're doing.
These aren't the same ole Bengals. This team is ready to win now. And instead of taking a step back in 2022, I think they're going to take a massive step forward.
Featured image via Sam Greene via Imagn Content Services, LLC
