The Bengals with a healthy Joe Burrow were consistently a Super Bowl threat until this past season where the team missed the postseason all together despite Burrow being healthy. The defense was the bigger concern for the team but the offense also had its misgivings as well and here I will go into detail regarding the offense of the team. The Bengals, in three seasons with a healthy Joe Burrow have fielded a top 10 scoring offense in each of the three seasons but never a top 5 scoring offense. Burrow, when healthy, to many including myself is as good of a QB as there is in the league today including Patrick Mahomes. So, the fact that even when he has been healthy the Bengals have never been able to field a top 5 scoring offense is indeed concerning. Perhaps the Bengals can finally do so this upcoming season if Burrow can again stay healthy. Offensive minded head coach Zac Taylor remains the head coach of the team and offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher is going into year 2 as the offensive coordinator of the team. Which will also be Pitcher’s 2nd year as an offensive coordinator in the NFL or any level. Perhaps as Pitcher goes into his second year on the job, the Bengals can improve offensively and maybe take the leap into the top five territory. But just as is the case for every team, the personnel that the Bengals field around Burrow will also loom large this upcoming season. I have conducted an analysis of the Bengals’ offensive personnel grouping from the 2024 season and also headed into the 2025 season as well. I have listed the offense grade that the player was assigned by Pro Football Focus over the course of the 2024 season. I have also included my own subjective grade of the player that indicates how strong I feel they are in totality outside of just the 2024 season. Beginning below with the offensive line of the team in 2024 and also headed into the 2025 season.
Bengals 2024 Starting Offensive Line
LT – Orlando Brown Jr – (69/87) offense grade in 2024 over 637 snaps, B
LG – Cordell Volson – (55/83) offense grade in 2024 over 984 snaps, C
C – Ted Karras – (23/43) offense grade in 2024 over 1136 snaps, C+ to B-
RG – Alex Cappa – (76/83) offense grade in 2024 over 1132 snaps, B to B+
RT – Amarius Mims – (70/87) offense grade in 2024 over 835 snaps, C so far as ’24 1st rd
Bengals 2024 Reserve Offensive Linemen
T – Cody Ford – (76/87) offense grade in 2024 over 688 snaps, C to C-
T – Devin Cochran – (76/87) offense grade in 2024 over 152 snaps, D+ to C-
T – Jaxson Kirkland – 3 career snaps
G – Andrew Stueber – 5 career snaps
C – Matt Lee – (36/43) offense grade in 2024 over 27 snaps, C so far as ’24 7th rd
Bengals 2024 Key Offensive Line Statistics/Metrics
27th in pass blocking efficiency
22nd in sacks allowed
29th in pass blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
29th in run blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus
As you can see from the above sets of data, especially the last one, the Bengals had amongst the weakest offensive lines in the NFL this past season. The Bengals fired their offensive line coach right after the season and I think rightfully so. Although the Bengals this past season did not have a surplus of talent on the offensive front, they were certainly more talented than the output they produced. Orlando Brown Jr, who typically is strong at tackle, had a career worst year. Alex Cappa, who in his previous five seasons graded as above average to well above average, had a career worst season grading amongst the weakest guards in the NFL despite being under 30 years old and remaining healthy. Center Ted Karras underperformed as well this past season and rookie first round pick Amarius Mims had a disappointing but still respectable rookie season. The trend of otherwise very talented and for the most part otherwise very productive Bengals’ offensive lineman all struggling this past season certainly brought the Bengals offensive line coach into question. He indeed was terminated after the season and perhaps the Bengals can see better offensive line play next season without him. Headed into next season along with the new offensive line coach, the personnel for the Bengals up front has also changed. Starting guard from this past season in Alex Cappa has departed the team this offseason and the Bengals drafted two offensive lineman in the 2025 NFL Draft. The projected 2025 offensive line for the Bengals can be found below.
2025 Projected Bengals Starting Offensive Line
LT – Orlando Brown Jr – B-
LG – Cordell Volson – C
C – Ted Karras – C+
RG – Cody Ford – C to C-
RT – Amarius Mims – C so far as 2024 1st rounder
2025 Projected Bengals Offensive Line Reserves
T – Jalen Rivers – 2025 5th rounder
G – Dylan Fairchild – 2025 3rd rounder
C – Matt Lee – C-
G – Lucas Patrick – C to C+
T – Devin Cochran – D+ to C-
T – Andrew Coker – UDFA 2024
T/G – Jaxson Kirkland – UDFA 2023, 3 career snaps
C – Seth McLaughlin – UDFA 2025
G – Tashawn Manning – UDFA 2023, 0 career snaps
T/G – Andrew Stueber – 5 career snaps, 7th round 2022
T – Caleb Etienne – UDFA 2025
As you can see from the above data the Bengals offensive line remains mostly the same headed into next season outside of the departure of Alex Cappa along with the addition of a few notable names who are currently listed as reserves. Those few notable names are 2025 third round pick Dylan Fairchild at guard along with the free agent addition of veteran guard Lucas Patrick. As a third-round pick Fairchild was selected pretty highly and could certainly contribute to the Bengals offensive line this upcoming season. Lucas Patrick has been in the league for a while but is likely better suited as a backup. As in eight seasons in the NFL he has logged a below average offense grade on six occasions while only ranking slightly above average the remaining two times. The improvements that the Bengals can potentially see from the offensive line will stem from two things primarily although the aforementioned players can certainly help the cause as well. The hiring of a new offensive line coach along with the potential improvement of 2024 rookie first round tackle Amarius Mims will be the biggest things that lead to the Bengals’ offensive line potentially improving next year. Mims had a respectable rookie season and given the fact that he played decently as a rookie along with his very high draft standing, he is in line to break out next season and emerge as a star in the NFL. If the Bengals can get pro bowl caliber play out of Mims at right tackle instead of C caliber play as they did this past season, it would bode them quite well and the Bengals offensive line would take a big step forward as a result. Starting left tackle Orlando Brown Jr and starting center Ted Karras have been known to struggle with consistency despite showing a high ceiling. If both those players can have an up year instead of a down year as they both did this past season then the Bengals will have an above average player at both the starting left tackle and starting center positions. Both the guard spots remain a big concern for the Bengals this upcoming season as both the guard spots were a concern last season as well. Cordell Volson and Alex Cappa struggled starting at left and right guard this past season and both the starting positions remain a concern headed into next season as well. Volson is currently slated to start at left guard again but has not proven to be a bona-fide NFL starter as of yet. Volson in all three seasons he has played in the NFL thus far has graded as below average in terms of an offense grade according to Pro Football Focus each year. Likewise, Cody Ford is set to start at right guard and he too in every season he has played in the NFL thus far has graded as below average in terms of an offense grade among qualified guards according to Pro Football Focus. Perhaps the aforementioned additions of 2025 third round guard Dylan Fairchild and veteran guard Lucas Patrick can bolster the guard play of the team in 2025. The Bengals, by any stretch and by any objective or subjective measure were one of the weakest offensive lines in the NFL this past 2024 season. The Bengals certainly have what it takes to improve next season if veterans Orlando Brown Jr and Ted Karras can play near peak form and if rookie now headed into year two right tackle Amarius Mims can take a big step forward next season. The improvements that those three players potentially could make revolve around the hiring of a new offensive line coach in large part. If those three players can all perform at an above average rate among starters at their positions next season, which they are all capable of doing, and if the Bengals can just get respectable guard play, Cincinnati could have a solid offensive line next season. However, I do feel as if the Bengals’ offensive line has a ceiling to it and it being a solid but not spectacular unit next season is the best-case scenario. As their guard play will likely be too weak and the remaining three starters could all be very good but are certainly not stars by any stretch. I have conducted a similar analysis of the Cincinnati skill position players which can be found below starting with the wide receiver unit of the team.
Bengals 2024 Wide Receiver Unit
WR – Jamarr Chase – (11/110) offense grade in 2024 over 1053 snaps, A to A-
WR – Tee Higgins – (5/110) offense grade in 2024 over 635 snaps, B+ to A-
WR – Andrei Iosivas – (103/107) offense grade in 2024 over 891 snaps, C to C-
WR – Jermaine Burton – (99/110) offense grade in 2024 over 131 snaps, C so far as ’24 3rd rd
WR – Trenton Irwin – (110/110) offense grade in 2024 over 125 snaps, C
WR – Charlie Jones – (109/110) offense grade in 2024 over 26 snaps, C to C-
WR – Kendric Pryor – (69/110) offense grade in 2024 over 19 snaps, C
WR – Isaiah Williams – (91/110) offense grade in 2024 over 19 snaps, C
As you can see from the above data the Bengals had one of the premier wide out duos in the NFL in Jamarr Chase and Tee Higgins. Chase and Higgins for the Bengals are in the definitive discussion for being the best overall wide out duo in the NFL along with the Vikings, Eagles, Dolphins and some others. However, the wide receiver unit for Cincinnati outside of those two left much to be desired as they lacked a capable number three wide out and strong depth at the position. Headed into next season, the Bengals have retained Chase and Higgins and outside of adding undrafted free agents with 0 career receptions and letting go of Trenton Irwin, the wide out core remains the same. The improvements that Cincinnati can hope to see from the wide receiving core stems from the potential improvements of a few players who were once drafted pretty highly. The first of those two players is 2024 third round pick Jermaine Burton, who as a rookie did not do much. But he barely logged any snaps in the league so far and was at least respectable during his time on the field as a rookie. Given his high draft standing, he certainly could emerge as a strong complementary option to Chase and Higgins in the wide receiver core. The other player who could emerge as a viable option to complement Chase and Higgins is 2023 4th rounder Charlie Jones. Jones was also drafted relatively high and in limited snaps as a rookie had a solid rookie season. Jones struggled in year 2 in the NFL in very limited snaps, however. But given his relatively high draft status and still a solid rookie season, he could also emerge as a potential solid #3 wide out to Chase and Higgins. Andre Iosivas who was a 6th rounder in 2023, had a solid rookie season in limited snaps but however regressed in the 2024 season. Iosivas served as the #3 wide receiver this past season and maybe next season he can build off his strong rookie season and move past the sophomore slump that he had. Chase and Higgins will remain one of the premier wide out duos in the NFL next season. If Cincinnati can see one of the players on the roster emerge as a strong #3 wide out, then the Bengals wide out unit next season will be in the discussion for the best in the NFL. I have conducted a similar analysis of the Bengals’ tight end unit in the 2024 season and also headed into the 2025 season below.
Bengals’ 2024 Tight End Unit
TE – Drew Sample – (99/119) offense grade in 2024 over 654 snaps, C to C-
TE – Mike Gesicki – (14/45) offense grade in 2024 over 523 snaps, C+ to B-
TE – Erick All Jr – (33/45) offense grade in 2024 over 231 snaps, C so far as ’24 4th rd
TE – Tanner Hudson – (30/119) offense grade in 2024 over 119 snaps, B
TE – Cam Grandy – (29/45) offense grade in 2024 over 75 snaps, C so far as UDFA ’24
TE – Tanner McLachlan – (33/45) offense grade in 2024 over 5 snaps, C so far as ’24 6th rd
As you can see from the above the Bengals had a lot of talent in their tight end unit and a lot of depth in their tight end unit that has unfortunately yet to come into its own. The team’s two leading two tight ends this past season were both former second round picks Drew Sample and Mike Gesicki. Sample as a 2019 2nd rounder has unfortunately really underwhelmed thus far in the NFL but still was a starter last season for the Bengals and is at least respectable in his time on the field. Gesicki was also a 2nd rounder in the 2018 draft and although he has not quite lived up to expectations, he has still shown a very high ceiling thus far in the NFL although struggling with consistency. Gesicki in seven seasons in the NFL has graded above average in terms of an offense grade among qualified tight ends on just three occasions including this past season. However, 2024 was his first season with the Bengals and his first season getting truly high-level QB play on a consistent basis. In his previous tenures with the Patriots and Dolphins he did not get strong QB play consistently. As those two franchises often had below average QBs throwing Gesicki the ball. Despite that he still graded in or around the top ten among qualified tight ends on two separate occasions in terms of an offense grade in his time with the Patriots and Dolphins. Now that he is with Joe Burrow who is perhaps the best pure thrower of the football in the NFL, he can perhaps come into his own and live up to his high draft standing. He already had a very strong first season with the Bengals and Burrow as well. The Bengals have a few other notable names at the tight end spot who can provide the team with some strong depth. Erick All Jr had a respectable rookie season as a 2024 4th round pick and perhaps can build off of it headed into next year and beyond. Tanner Hudson, who I graded very highly as a B caliber player, also is a very capable player for the Bengals at tight end. Hudson in the past two seasons graded in the top 25% among all qualified tight ends in terms of an overall offense grade according to Pro Football Focus. Although as an undrafted player he did have his struggles in the league and/or did not really register too many snaps prior to the past two seasons. Even in the last two seasons where Hudson has graded very highly among qualified TEs, it was in a smaller sample of snaps. Cam Grandy and Tanner McLachlan were both rookies this past season who were either undrafted or drafted very late in the 6th round. They both had respectable rookie seasons and either if not both players could potentially take a step forward in year 2 and provide strong depth for the Bengals at the position. Headed into next season both players remain on the practice squad as opposed to being listed on the depth chart, however. The Bengals’ projected 2025 tight end unit can be found below.
Bengals 2025 Projected Tight End Unit
TE – Mike Gesicki – B to B-
TE – Drew Sample – C
TE – Erick All Jr – C so far as ’24 4th rounder
TE – Tanner Hudson – C+ to B-
The Bengals, if the players in the unit live up to their potential can have one of the better tight end units in the NFL next season. Gesicki who I graded to be in the B to B- range, certainly has what it takes to reach the B to B+ range if not more than that headed into next season. Sample is a former 2nd round pick but if he can perhaps start to live up to expectations, he can maybe go from a C level player to a B level player or better. Erick All Jr was drafted relatively high and had a decent rookie season. He can also take a step forward headed into year 2 as well and can maybe reach the B range or higher. Tanner Hudson has looked very strong in limited snaps for the past two seasons and can potentially emerge as a high-level player as he continues to accumulate more NFL snaps. If all those ifs occur or even if some of those ifs occur, the Bengals will have one of the premier tight end units in the NFL next season. But as of now, Cincinnati has one of the most rawly talented and deepest tight end units in the league. I have conducted a similar analysis of the Bengals’ running back room for 2024 and headed into 2025 as well.
2024 Bengals Running Back Unit
HB – Chase Brown – (17/58) offense grade in 2024 over 685 snaps, B
HB – Zack Moss – (55/58) offense grade in 2024 over 297 snaps, C
HB – Khalil Herbert – (58/58) offense grade in 2024 over 112 snaps, B
HB – Trayveon Williams – (58/58) offense grade in 2024 over 10 snaps, C
HB – Kendall Milton – (50/58) offense grade in 2024 over 6 snaps, D+ to C-
As you can see from the above data, the Bengals had some talent in their running back unit this past season but the unit in totality wasn’t anything special. Chase Brown, who was a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, had a disappointing rookie season but broke out in the 2024 campaign. Brown graded amongst the weakest running backs in the NFL as a rookie, but graded in the above average to well above average range in that same department in 2024. If Brown can continue to maintain/improve his level of play, he can emerge as one of the better overall running backs in the NFL. Behind Brown, unfortunately the remainder of the Bengals’ backfield this past season unfortunately underwhelmed. Zack Moss as a former 3rd round pick has not lived up to expectations thus far in the NFL as he consistently grades below average among running backs. Khalil Herbert, who is otherwise very effective out of the backfield, was unable to do much for the Bengals after he was acquired midseason in 2024. While the remaining two running backs for Cincinnati this past season were mostly forgettable. Headed into next season Chase Brown will continue to lead the Bengals out of the backfield but the remainder of the unit outside of him remains a concern. Zack Moss will remain the #2 back but has just been a mediocre caliber player thus far in the NFL despite being drafted so high. However, Moss as a rookie graded in the above average range in terms of an offense grade according to Pro Football Focus before tailing off the next four seasons in a row in that same department. Perhaps next season as a former 3rd round pick, Moss can build off his rookie season and start to live up to his potential being drafted so high. Khalil Herbert, who was acquired midseason last year but who was unable to do much has since departed the team to the Colts. The Bengals have acquired two backs this offseason to bolster their running back room as well. Samaje Perine was acquired this offseason and has been a solid player throughout his career and can provide depth for the Bengals out of the backfield. In seven seasons where Perine has logged significant snaps in the NFL, he has graded above average three times in terms of an offense grade among qualified running backs according to Pro Football Focus. The team also drafted Tahj Brooks in the 6th round of the 2025 NFL Draft and perhaps he can provide a boost to the Cincinnati backfield. The Bengals’ projected 2025 running back room is listed below.
Bengals’ projected 2025 running back unit
HB – Chase Brown – B
HB – Zack Moss – C to C+
HB – Samaje Perine – C+
HB – Tahj Brooks – 6th round 2025
Chase Brown went from having a very subpar rookie season to then a standout second season. Brown has what it takes to be one of the better overall running backs in the NFL on a consistent basis. When Moss and Perine are on their A game, they are very capable out of the backfield as well and could provide strong depth for the team.
In totality the Bengals on the offensive side of the ball were a top 10 scoring offense this past season and nearly were in the top five ranking #6 in terms of points scored in 2024. This was despite the team getting amongst the league’s weakest offensive line play. With a new offensive line coach and rookie 1st round pick Amarius Mims in line to improve, the Bengals could certainly field a solid offensive line next season. Joe Burrow, when healthy, is the best QB in the NFL in my estimation, better than Mahomes when Burrow is on the field. If Burrow can stay healthy, the Bengals will have the best QB or one of the best QBs in the NFL, with one of the premier skill position groupings in the NFL in my estimation as well. The Bengals were a borderline top 5 offense in 2024 despite having a bottom 5-10 offensive line. If the offensive line can just be average which is very possible, the Bengals on offense could be the premier offensive attack in the league next season. The optimism for the Bengals offensively continues with their rookie offensive coordinator going into year 2 next season. Along with backup QB Jake Browning being amongst the better QB2s in the league as well. It would not surprise me if Cincinnati led the league in points scored next season, having an elite QB, elite skill players, and a rookie offensive coordinator going into year 2. With a rookie offensive coordinator and poor offensive line play the Bengals finished 6th in points scored in 2024. With now a veteran offensive coordinator and better offensive line play, 6th to 1st is not too far-fetched.
