The Cincinnati Bengals 2024 campaign kicks off in just a few days.
After a less-than-ideal 2023 season, Zac Taylor and company are looking to right the ship and once again place Cincinnati in the contender conversation.
Here are four bold predictions for the Bengals ahead of the 2024 season:
Cincinnati Bengals: Bold predictions for 2024
Joe Burrow returns to the Super Bowl
Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase returning to New Orleans to hoist the Lombardi Trophy? Not even a movie script writer could concoct a better story.
With a truly healthy Burrow, the Bengals earned back-to-back AFC championship appearances and looked well on their way to another dominant season prior to Burrow’s injury last November. After finally completing his first “normal” training camp, Burrow looks to prove his doubters wrong.
With one of the more complete rosters the Bengals have had, paired with the best offensive line Burrow has seen during his time in the NFL, Cincinnati will return to the Super Bowl once more, this time securing the victory in the Big Game.
Amarius Mims starts 10+ games
The Bengals are building a mountain of an offensive line. With Orlando Brown Jr. already solidifying the left side of the line, Cincinnati signed Trent Brown to hold down the fort at right tackle.
But when Georgia offensive lineman Amarius Mims was available in the first round, they had no choice but to bet on his sky-high potential.
Mims hit the ground running in Cincinnati as Trent Brown began the offseason program on the non-football injury list. All was well and Mims looked to be well on his way to securing the starting spot opposite Orlando Brown Jr.
But Mims strained his pectoral muscle late in his first preseason game and missed the remainder of training camp and only recently began practicing in a limited fashion.
Even with Mims sidelined for the time being, the odds of Trent Brown facing an injury are high. In his nine-year career, Brown has only played three full seasons. If and when Brown goes down with an injury, Mims will take over the starting spot and will not relinquish it.
Dax Hill becomes star cornerback
Perhaps one of the more intriguing storylines for the 2024 Bengals is how the cornerback room shapes up.
With Cam Taylor-Britt solidified as CB1, former first-round pick Dax Hill has won the CB2 starting spot. Hill has all the qualities of a star cornerback: big frame, freaky athleticism, mental toughness.
Loved what I saw from Bengals CB Dax Hill in his first game there after playing SAF the past 2 seasons. So much more comfortable and confident. Showed up in his play speed.
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) August 12, 2024
Has all the tools to be a special one (4.38 40 + 6.57 3-cone + 79 3/4" wingspan) pic.twitter.com/m3sZ145ZrH
Hill had a dominant preseason in limited action, and the coaching staff has been very impressed with his development throughout the offseason.
Erick All becomes the starting tight end
It has been a long time since the Bengals have had a true all-around tight end. From CJ Uzomah to Drew Sample to Tanner Hudson, the past few seasons have left much to be desired at tight end.
Enter All, who was a standout at Iowa — also known as Tight End University — but injuries plummeted his draft stock.
The fourth-round rookie is looking to make a major impact for his hometown Bengals, and he did just that during his preseason action.
The Bengals trusted All in both the passing and running game and used him as a key blocker on run-downs.
Bengals rookie Erick All has looked great tonight. Makes the key block here.
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) August 23, 2024
The fourth-round pick out of Iowa likely would have been a top 75 pick if not for injuries. pic.twitter.com/SGYnvyhWPk
If All can stay healthy, the Bengals could have found them a weapon unlike anything they’ve seen during the Joe Burrow era.
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