The Bengals expect to compete for a Super Bowl with Joe Burrow healthy, and there will be a few changes around him in 2024. If you like the analysis here, consider signing up for our free newsletter to get can’t-miss NFL news and insights straight to your inbox every week.

 

• 2023 finish: 9-8 (last in AFC North); missed playoffs
• Over/under: 10.5 wins

 

Notable additions

RB Zack Moss, WR Hakeem Butler, TE Mike Gesicki, OT Trent Brown, DT Sheldon Rankins, S Geno Stone, S Vonn Bell

 

Notable losses

RB Joe Mixon, WR Tyler Boyd, TE Irv Smith Jr., DT DJ Reader, DT Josh Tupou, LB Markus Bailey, CB Chidobe Awuzie, S Nick Scott, OC Brian Callahan

 

2024 draft class

OT Amarius Mims (1.18), DT Kris Jenkins (2.49), WR Jermaine Burton (3.80), DT McKinnley Jackson (3.97), TE Erick All (4.115), CB Josh Newton (5.149), TE Tanner McLachlan (6.194), DE Cedric Johnson (6.214), S Daijahn Anthony (7.224), C Matt Lee (7.237)

 

Projected starters

QB: Joe Burrow
RB: Zack Moss
WR: Ja’Marr Chase
WR: Tee Higgins
WR: Andrei Iosivas
TE: Mike Gesicki
LT: Orlando Brown Jr.
LG: Cordell Volson
C: Ted Karras
RG: Alex Cappa
RT: Amarius Mims (R)

 

DE: Trey Hendrickson
DT: B.J. Hill
DT: Sheldon Rankins
DE: Sam Hubbard
LB: Logan Wilson
LB: Germaine Pratt
CB: Cam Taylor-Britt
S: Jordan Battle
S: Geno Stone
SCB: Mike Hilton
CB: DJ Turner II

 

2024 outlook

Cincinnati went 4-3 with Jake Browning under center and remained in playoff contention last season despite injuries to Joe Burrow and others, so the team certainly expects to reclaim the AFC North after doing so in 2021 and 2022. The status of Ja’Marr Chase as he “holds in” with two years left on his deal is intriguing, as team owner Mike Brown has said they won’t break their policy of negotiating early, and perhaps Chase not being on the field will allow everyone else behind Tee Higgins to gain confidence and chemistry with Burrow for this season and beyond.

 

In general, the offense has already lost Joe Mixon—though it was their choice to trade him—and are set to lose Higgins after the season, but the offensive line continues to improve, including the selection of Amarius Mims in Round 1 to give them another monster to pair with Orlando Brown Jr. as a long-term bookend. There’s also been talk of veteran Trent Brown kicking inside to right guard, but Burrow should be protected better than ever with two walls on the edges, which is key in the AFC North; and a backfield duo of Zack Moss and Chase Brown should be strong.

 

On defense, a crucial piece in the middle was lost with DJ Reader heading to Detroit, but Cam Taylor-Britt is an underrated star at cornerback, and the secondary should be improved as a whole with Geno Smith and Von Bell signed to support Jordan Battle at safety—also improving the depth with Dax Hill having the versatility to play all over the place. For the unit to reach its full potential, 2023 first-round pick Myles Murphy needs to step up behind Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard following a disappointing rookie campaign.

 

Position battle to watch: No. 3 wide receiver

Andrei Iosivas has drawn plenty of praise this offseason, but Trenton Irwin is listed as the starter on the initial depth chart, and Charlie Jones has also been talked up by Joe Burrow. Of course, third-round pick Jermaine Burton is the guy Cincinnati would love to immediately emerge, and I’ll just say to not count out Jones as a clean replacement in the slot for Tyler Boyd.

 

Breakout candidate: TE Mike Gesicki

One of the wideouts could have been chosen here, and I’d probably have gone with Amarius Mims because of how highly we view him if rookies were a consideration. Instead, I like Gesicki to reestablish himself as a major threat at tight end after being limited to a 29/244/2 line in New England. The pure athleticism and size will make Gesicki a weapon in scoring territory, and there’s no reason he can’t have a career year catching passes from Joe Burrow.

 

Circle on the calendar: Week 2 (@ KC) | Sunday, September 15 – 4:25 PM ET

The Bengals didn’t get the best draw with short rest for TNF matchups versus the Ravens in Week 10 and Browns in Week 16, and all the AFC North games should be circled. An intense rivalry with the Chiefs is one to be excited about, though, and there is some bad blood on both sides. Including playoffs, Joe Burrow has gone 3-1 versus Patrick Mahomes, but they’ve been all close games, and KC’s quarterback won the most recent battle in the AFC Championship two seasons ago.

 

Bottom line

Again, the Bengals expect to win their third division title in four years, and this could be the final run with Joe Burrow throwing to both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. I also wouldn’t discount the loss of Joe Mixon, but Cincinnati should be a very dangerous opponent in January.