Well, that took longer then expected.
Just about everything concerning the Bengals defied expectations in 2021. From the restriction-free return of QB Joe Burrow to the career years of Burrow and RB Joe Mixon, to the seismic addition of WR Ja’Marr Chase, to an unheralded free agent signing of a game-changing defensive player, to a season essentially devoid of major injuries, the Bengals rode the proverbial “wave” of elevated play and team momentum all the way to a Super Bowl appearance before falling in dramatic fashion to the Los Angeles Rams in the last few minutes of a hard-fought, interesting game. Considering the Bengals were initially slated to win roughly six games at season’s outset, they represent 2021’s most significant turnaround, and barring management issues (more on this below) should remain a contender as long as they manage to keep Burrow healthy.
Here’s how the 2021 Bengals fared positionally:
Quarterback
What’s left to say? Burrow started every game in 2021 after an offseason spent rehabbing a seriously injured knee and showed few if any ill effects by throwing for 34 TDs, 4,611 yards against 14 interceptions, with a 70.4% completion rate, all of which placed him in the top tier of NFL QBs. He showed notable toughness and resiliency all year, as he was sacked a league-leading 70 times (including playoffs) and routinely had to compensate for poor protection. If Burrow is better insulated from rushers, he should remain an NFL force for decades.
Running Back
In his fifth season, starting RB Joe Mixon finally established himself as one of the NFL’s premier backs with 1,205 rushing yards and most importantly, 14 TDs, effectively providing a solid play-action option for Burrow and his receivers to depend on. Mixon also added 42 receptions for 314 yards and 3 receiving TDs. Backup RB Samaje Perine was a solid change of pace from Mixon, but the timing of his use seemed a bit odd, especially late in games when dependable options are required. While Perine has promise, few will mistake him for Mixon anytime soon. Rookie third RB Chris Evans showed some chops in limited carries and should remain on the roster in 2022, while it remains to be seen if fellow backup Trayveon Williams will be retained.
Wide Receiver
For all the handwringing and debate over the Bengals’ 2021 draft, it appears they made the correct choice in WR Ja’Marr Chase after Chase set rookie records in several receiving categories (81 receptions, 1,411 yards, 13 TDs) while easily earning Pro Bowl honors. His presence also created additional opportunities for fellow wideouts Tee Higgins (74 receptions, 1,091 yards, 6 TDs) and Tyler Boyd (67 receptions, 828 yards, 5 TDs). Boyd’s season was interesting in that he didn’t record a dropped pass until the Super Bowl – something Bengals fans are keenly aware of. This is among the best (if not THE best) WR group in the NFL, and all three are healthy and firmly under contract through 2023. This is problematic for the rest of the NFL and especially AFC North opponents, who will have to beef up their secondaries to slow this bunch. Depth, while available, was seemingly not needed, as WRs Trenton Irwin, Stanley Morgan, Auden Tate, Trent Taylor and Mike Thomas all combined for 14 receptions.
Tight End
Led by balanced TE C.J. Uzomah, this group provided some good underneath targets for Burrow and contributed to his well-being at times, although Uzomah was apparently the only dependable receiving option of the bunch (43 receptions, 493 yards, 5 TDs). Backups Drew Sample, Chris Myarick and Mitchell Wilcox filled in when called upon, but again, Uzomah was the only standout; with the Bengals receiving options at WR, it’s not difficult to see why this group didn’t have many targets. Expect a little offseason shuffling here, as better blocking options are needed.
Offensive Line
As stated above, this group did Burrow no favors, as surrendering 70 sacks isn’t something a team can simply overlook or attribute to youth. While selecting Chase was the proper call, the contingent of opinions campaigning for the Bengals to draft LT Penei Sewell wasn’t entirely wrong given the amount of abuse Burrow suffered in 2021. Still, there’s some keepers; LT Jonah Williams should continue to progress after a solid campaign, while free agent pickup RT Reilly Reiff (injuries) and backup T Isaiah Prince (spotty play) have some work to do after middling campaigns. Gs Hakeem Adeniji and Quinton Spain were collectively unreliable at crucial points, which served to hinder veteran C Trey Hopkins, who often overcompensated for protection breakdowns by the guards. The rookie trio of G Jackson Carman, C Trey Hill and T D’Ante Smith, very simply, needs work after uneven performances all year. This position group must protect Burrow better going forward if the Bengals expect to remain contenders.
Defensive Line
This group welcomed the addition of free agent DE Trey Hendrickson in 2021, which seemed to have a positive “ripple” effect on his fellow linemen with a Pro Bowl berth-earning season. Hendrickson’s 14 sacks and relentless pressure created a lot pass rushing opportunities for fellow DE Sam Hubbard (7.5 sacks), who continues to improve. DTs D.J. Reader, Larry Ogunjobi and B.J. Hill were solid, with Ogunjobi (7 sacks) and Hill (5.5 sacks) helping significantly with the pass rush, but both seemed overwhelmed at times containing the run; look for more depth and size at DT to be a focus for the team this offseason. The eventual on-field appearance of injured rookie pass-rushing DE Joseph Ossai should help this group immediately in 2022.
Linebackers
To be kind, the trio of WLB Logan Wilson, MLB Germaine Pratt and SLB Markus Bailey isn’t going to evoke memories of the 1986 Giants. Arguably the weakest area of this defense, this group didn’t exactly underachieve – they simply don’t have the talent to perform at a high level consistently currently, with their obvious deficiencies showing up mostly in pass coverage. It should be noted this was the lone area to suffer multiple injuries and roster shuffles, resulting in subpar play from backups. Look for the team to explore some key options here; a veteran free agent pass rusher would be a significant addition to this group.
Defensive Backs
This group shoulders a fair amount of blame for the team’s 2021 defensive shortcomings and #26 defensive rank against the pass, even with the injury-riddled season turned in by free agent CB Trey Waynes, who was limited to five games and 11 paltry tackles. Much-maligned CB Eli Apple (49 tackles, 2 INTs) actually had a decent 2021, although it’s been overshadowed by his poor play and questionable trash-talking in the Super Bowl. CB Chidobe Awuzie (64 tackles, 2 INTs) and SLB Mike Hilton (66 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 FF) both put up solid defensive numbers, but seemed helpless in man coverage, and even the presence of ever-improving S Jessie Bates (88 tackles, 1 INT) and hard-hitting S Vonn Bell (97 tackles, 1 INT, 3 FF) didn’t help much. Mostly-injured CB Vernon Hargreaves was limited to four games and showed some veteran skill, despite his odd antics while injured during the Super Bowl. This is a potential draft area, but it’s more likely the team will look to Waynes’ return to health and some affordable free agent options instead.
Special Teams
Rookie PK Evan McPherson kicked well enough in the regular season (84% FGM) to think he’s a lock to retain, but his flawless postseason cemented it. The kicking game appears to be the least of the Bengals’ worries going into 2022. Longtime punter Kevin Huber is 36 and entering free agency, but is still performing well, so the team will probably retain him if he wants to return.
No solid return man emerged from the current roster, with backup S Brandon Wilson handling the bulk of the kick return duties. It’s expected that the team will continue to cycle through options until a suitable one appears.
Coaching
Head coach Zac Taylor finally experienced some winning as a head coach, although fans seem to be in agreement that his playcalling was suspect at times throughout the year and in the Super Bowl. Taylor has given no indication as of this writing that he intends to hand off his playcalling duties, but after using RB Samaje Perine instead of star RB Joe Mixon for a short-yardage pickup with the Super Bowl on the line, well…he should be considering it.
After reading this, I’m even more confused about what, exactly, offensive coordinator Brian Callahan’s role is, other than being Taylor’s confidant. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo received some notoriety and head coaching interviews as a result of the team’s performance this year and the continued development of the defense’s younger players.
Outlook
Bright, but guarded. The collective NFL world is waiting to see what happens with the Bengals between now and when Burrow approaches free agency. The historical returns in this area are not good, but it’s hard to imagine any inclination by the Bengals to not retain their current core. Notoriously-cheap owner Mike Brown isn’t known for being decisive or clear-headed in these situations, but the prospect of keeping this team together may be too much for even him to resist.
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