The Cincinnati Bengals are off to a slow start on a historically critical offseason.
Does that mean they’re waiting on a specific coaching candidate? Are coaches on the hot seat? What to do about free agents like Tee Higgins?
Some current thoughts on the Bengals.
On hot seats
This has to be it. Even for the Bengals. We can throw out any discourse we want about the franchise letting Marvin Lewis hang around for nearly two decades. We can also throw out all the goodwill Zac Taylor earned with the turnaround and Super Bowl appearance. In today’s NFL, he’s a head coach who has been given the rare chance to do-over key spots under him like defensive coordinator and problem spots like offensive line coach. If his team flops out of the gates again in September because he can’t put together an offseason program that gets his guys properly ready, it probably closes the era.
On defensive coordinators
Are they waiting on Al Golden? Is it smart to go with a retread who had already been in the building, and likely at great cost? Or is it Patrick Graham, who doesn’t have all that much experience as a coordinator? Hard to say, but it might not matter — all that matters is the new guy’s vision properly aligns with the never-changing scouting department and that he can actually develop players. Keep in mind that Dan Pitcher didn’t have a wild resume before a very successful trip as a coordinator last season.
On paying Tee Higgins
Just do it. No need to make Burrow mad. The loss of a key piece like Jessie Bates should’ve never happened and look where it got them. And here’s the biggest consideration of all — who else do they need to pay, anyway? Ja’Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson, sure. But guys they hoped would need big extensions — like Cam Taylor-Britt and Dax Hill — certainly don’t. Myles Murphy isn’t exactly on track for one, either. Don’t forget the huge whiff on Jermaine Burton, too.
On free agents
The Bengals have a few key free agents they need to retain. But the rest need to be outside guys developed by other teams. Think, interior offensive linemen. Maybe pass-rushers. Show fans an all-in status for once as an apology for spoiling an MVP quarterback season, triple crown wideout season and the NFL sacks leader.
