Cincinnati — It’s not as simple as it might seem to pinpoint the Cincinnati Bengals’ specific areas of failure in 2023.
The most obvious choice is the game against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11, when quarterback Joe Burrow attempted a sideline pass but was unable to do so due to a ruptured ligament in his right wrist. However, it was only one of several problems that prevented Cincinnati from going deep into the postseason for the third consecutive year.
One could go all the way back to the start of the summer, when the Bengals’ secondary was severely lacking when safety Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates III signed free agent contracts with other clubs. Another turning point came when the Bengals failed to locate a suitable starter tight end in the free agent class.
Of course, there were also the injuries that started Cincinnati off badly right away.
Burrow remarked, “It was a weird year,” on January 8, the day af
From the second training camp practice, all appeared lost.
Burrow showed up that day with a compression sleeve on his right calf. Burrow injured his right calf during team workouts after rolling right on a throw play. Burrow was out for the opening few weeks of the season in addition to missing over a month of practice.
Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan stated in his last press conference of the regular season that Burrow’s injury ruined the team’s offensive game plan for 2023.
As much as we could, we were attempting to handle Joe, Callahan said. “So, a lot of the things that we had intended to do earlier than we did was more about that than anything else.”
Based on ESPN Stats & Information, the Bengals ran 93.6% of their offensive plays out of shotgun throughout the first four weeks of the season. Burrow’s mobility increased, and that percentage fell to 85.4%.
Additionally, the Bengals won 4-1 in the five games Burrow was healthy, including victories over the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers as well as a close home loss to the Houston Texans. All three clubs advanced to the postseason’s divisional stage.
The Bengals started the 2022 season with a.500 record, but they won eight straight games and ultimately captured their second consecutive AFC North championship.
In 2023, Burrow suffered a season-ending injury during a touchdown throw that gave Cincinnati a 10-7 lead over the Ravens on the road. Bengals were defeated 34–20 in that encounter.
“An injury happened right where we usually start to take that jump in the year where we have in years past,”
When it became evident in 2021 that Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase would demand large contracts to reflect their importance to the team’s future success, the salary cap squeeze was imminent.
Months before Burrow agreed to a $275 million contract extension in September, that effect was felt. Bates, who spent five seasons as Cincinnati’s starting free safety, inked a $64 million, four-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Strong safety Bell, who has been with the Bengals since 2020, inked a $22.5 million, three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers.
Dax Hill, a 2022 first-round selection, replaced Bates in their place, while the Bengals added Nick Scott to a modest three-year contract for $12 million, including $3 million guaranteed, to replace Bell.
That was one part of Cincinnati’s defense’s challenging season. In terms of plays allowed of 20 yards or more, the Bengals lead the NFL. Sixty-five of the 82 plays that were given up were on passing plays.
Midway through the season, Cincinnati gained three first-year starters in the secondary (Battle, Hill, and rookie cornerback DJ Turner) when third-round pick Jordan Battle took Scott’s spot. In-game breakdowns that the Bengals were unable to resolve were one of the young team’s growing pains.
According to defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, “some things happen during the game that don’t happen during the week of practice.” This was stated on January 3. If it can’t be fixed throughout the workweek, it’s difficult to fix. Therefore, as we proceed, they are the things that need to be fixed and figured out.”
The Bengals had trouble finding an offensive replacement for tight end Hayden Hurst, who inked a $21.8 million, three-year contract with the Panthers. Despite starting the season, Irv Smith Jr. did not play in the final three regular season games.
The Bengals’ offensive performance in the previous campaign was influenced by another significant offseason choice.
Joe Mixon, the starting running back the team selected in the 2018 draft and a previous Pro Bowler, reached an agreement on a modified contract that lessened his salary cap impact in 2023.
Overall, the data indicates that Mixon had a successful year. With 1,410 total scrimmage yards (1,034 rushing, 376 receiving), he ranked 12th in the NFL. For that, he was selected as the first alternate for the Pro Bowl.
But Mixon failed to score many big runs. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Mixon had the 25th best success percentage among running backs with at least 20 carries against defensive boxes with six or fewer players. In terms of success rate versus light defensive boxes, rookie rushing back Chase Brown—who scored his first touchdown of the season on a screen ball that he turned into a 54-yard score—was last out of 76 qualified running backs.
Players and coaches predicted that having an explosive running game would be crucial going into 2023. That continues to be the Bengals’ principal focus as they prepare for 2024.
“I think we can be more explosive in the run game,” Burrow stated. “We’ve been effective, I believe. We’ve managed to stay on track thanks to the run game. Hitting a few home runs would be pleasant.”
Burrow complimented the way the two looked at the close of the season and claimed that Mixon had one of his best seasons. However, the Bengals will need to make a new decision regarding that group’s ability to force Cincinnati to contend for the championship the following year.
