The Cincinnati Bengals are an extremely flawed football team. The rush defense allowed 20 touchdowns last season, tied for the fifth-most, while the pass defense gave up 30 touchdowns, the fourth-most. The offensive line was rated 29th by PFF.
But, but, but …
They have Joe Burrow under center. When he’s been healthy, Burrow has eviscerated opposing defenses. Last season, he completed 70.6% of his 652 attempts for 4,918 yards, 43 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. The Bengals finished with a 9-8 record and they lost to the Chiefs by one point in Kansas City, lost to the Commanders by five points and lost to the Ravens twice by a combined four points, with one of those going to overtime.
Translation: All things are possible with Burrow, but he needs weapons to throw to. Luckily, he’ll have two standout wide receivers at his disposal for the long term.
The Bengals extended both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on Sunday night. Chase signed a four-year, $161 million contract with $112 million guaranteed. He is now the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history. Higgins signed a four-year, $115 million deal with the first two years guaranteed. Both deals were reported by Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz.
Last season, Chase and Higgins were both top 10 in Rec EPA. Chase was third and finished the season with 127 receptions, 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns. Higgins had the 10th-best Rec EPA and caught 73 passes for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. He only started nine of 12 games due to injury, though.
Higgins was playing on a franchise tag while Chase was in the last year of his contract.
