5 Storylines to Watch this Bengals Season

Heading into this 2023 NFL season, the Cincinnati Bengals are once again set as one of the favorites to at very least represent the AFC in the Super Bowl again. With Joe Burrow at quarterback, the Bengals will always be in a position to be one of the top teams in the NFL. Looking ahead to the 2023 NFL season, let’s take a look at five storylines that surround the Bengals.

1) Do they finally get the job done and win the Super Bowl?

There is no better situation for a team heading into a season than the one the Bengals are facing now. The 2023 Cincinnati Bengals have an abundance of talent and are very deep at almost every position. With that being said, this roster is about as perfect as one can be. As with every team around the league, health will always come into play but if this team stays healthy, the Cincinnati Bengals are a very serious contender for the Lombardi Trophy. The last two seasons have seen the Bengals and Chiefs battle it out in the AFC Championship, with each team coming away with a win. The Bengals have a veteran, experienced group and that will be crucial for this group as they pursue the franchises first Super Bowl. In the AFC, it is a three team race with the Chiefs and Bills joining the Bengals for the AFC. Will another team step up to challenge those three? That remains to be seen but this Bengals roster is about as perfect as you’re going to get for an NFL team heading into a season. Look for this Bengals team to start strong and continue to roll through the season as they march towards the playoffs.

2) Contracts, contracts and more contracts

In one of the most crucial seasons in Bengals history, one of the biggest storylines in surrounding this team is the contract status of Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins and Logan Wilson, just to name a few. Those are some of the players who are set to get contract extensions, with the biggest being Joe Burrow. Burrow is going to command a lot of money, especially after seeing the contract extension that Justin Herbert received from the Los Angeles Chargers. Over a week ago, Herbert agreed to five-year, $262.5 million contract extension. Burrow is a better, more accomplished quarterback than Herbert, therefore his contract will be richer than the Herbert’s. During this camp, we have seen Trey Hendrickson and Logan Wilson get extended. Hendrickson’s extension was a surprise but also allowed the Bengals to get some cap space. Wilson, was a strong extension candidate because he is a major component on the defense. Now that leaves Burrow and Higgins. It is feared that Higgins might be the odd man out with Burrow still to get the Brinks Truck and Wilson already getting paid. Burrow is still under contract through next season so that does give the Bengals some wiggle room to get a deal done with Higgins now, all while figuring out the money for Burrow. This is all a very fluid situation and a major thing hanging over this team.

3) What do we get from Joe Mixon?

It is no secret that the production from Joe Mixon took a drastic step back last season. Running backs have a short shelf life in the NFL. In the 2022 season, Mixon rushed for 814 yards and 7 touchdowns. He only saw two games where he rushed for over 100 yards. Four out of his seven touchdowns were scored against the Carolina Panthers. That was hands down his best game of the season, scoring four times on the ground and adding another one on a reception. He rushed for 153 yards on 22 carries against Carolina. Which Joe Mixon are we going to be seeing this season? There is also a chance he could see disciplinary action from the NFL for his aggravated menacing trial he is currently going through. Regardless of how that all plays out, when Mixon is on the field, what are we going to see from him? With a revamped offensive line, is a step up in production in store for the featured running back coming in 2023? The Bengals drafted Chase Brown out of the University of Illinois in this draft, who will be the heir apparent to Mixon. It will remain to be seen when that transition occurs. If Joe Mixon has a rebound season, the Cincinnati Bengals will be once again competing for a Super Bowl.

4) What does the secondary and offensive line look like?

This really only applies to a few parts of this years team, with the safeties and the right tackle position being the two major position groups. Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell both left in free agency, opening up both safety positions as a position battle. Dax Hill and Nick Scott are slated to step in as the starters, with Jordan Battle and Tycen Anderson looking to make an impact as well. Despite losing two stud safeties, the Bengals are in a good spot being able to slide two capable players. On the offensive line, the Bengals addressed any issue, by signing left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. from the Kansas City Chiefs. Brown is one of the top tackles in the league and his signing caused a bit of a stir. Jonah Williams had his option picked up prior to Brown being signed, causing Williams to think he was going to remain the left tackle. That was not the case with Brown being signed. Jonah was forced to slide over to the right tackle position. Having a tackle tandom of Brown and Williams gives the Bengals a great outside of the line and solid protection for Joe Burrow. The Bengals will head into the 2023 season with one of the best offensive lines that they have had in quite a few years. With a solid offensive line in front of Burrow, look for him to cook all season.

5) How do the defensive rookies fit in?

The Bengals took four defensive players in their draft this past and the first three picks were on the defensive side. Myles Murphy, the defensive end from Clemson was the teams first selection at number 28. They followed it up with Michigan cornerback DJ Turner II in the second round. The Bengals took another secondary piece in the third round when they snagged Alabama safety, Jordan Battle. Their final pick in the 2023 draft was used on Miami (FL) corner DJ Ivey. Where do all of these players fit in defensively? So far in camp, Murphy has not been as impressive as what you would expect from a first round pick. Murphy will most likely be a rotational piece to start with what could be a handful of plays that he will take part in. The other three have shown out so far this camp and have turned heads. Despite the fact, Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo doesn’t like to play rookies in the secondary, Turner, Battle and Ivey have done a great job of showing they fit in. The Bengals are in a good spot to where they don’t have to thrust the rookies into immediate playing time due to the depth they have on both sides of the ball. Over the year, these players will get a handful of snaps, giving them a chance to step into a starting role next year.

Chris Asbrock is the owner, writer and analyst for Impact Sports Cincinnati and can be followed on X Follow @iamchrisasbrock and Follow @ISCincy