Bengals’ Offense: Overhyped or Still Elite?

Despite combining for over 190 receptions and 2,600 receiving yards, Bengals wide receiver duo Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and star quarterback Joe Burrow still feel disrespected after once again being snubbed as the NFL’s best offensive unit.

Triple Crown winner Ja’Mmarr Chase was in a league of his own last season, recording over 1,700 receiving yards and 120 receptions, finishing the season with 17 touchdowns–No.1 among all wide receivers. Chase’s 787 yards after catch (YAC) made him a threat not only outside the numbers, but also between the hashes. Yet even after a historic season, Chase made it clear that his focus is on bringing a Super Bowl to Cincinnati, not chasing individual success.   

82 yards shy of 5,000 passing yards, quarterback Joe Burrow led the NFL in both passing yards with 4,918 and touchdowns with 43. His legendary season was bittersweet, as the Bengals missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season despite averaging 27.8 points per game and scoring over 470 points. Regardless of the team's record, Joe Burrow remained in the MVP conversations as one of the league's top players, thanks to his high level of play. Burrow not only made big plays with his arm and completed 70% of his passes, but also with his legs, rushing for over 200 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns–including a 47 yard run against the New York Giants.

Prior to signing his four-year $115 million contract extension with the Bengals, former Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins was expected to hit the market before he was franchise tagged for a second straight year and ultimately reached an agreement with the team. It’s no secret that Higgins’ explosiveness and physicality have helped quarterback Joe Burrow elevate the Bengals from a bottom-tier scoring offense to one of the league's best in the past five seasons. After finishing with over 900 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns last season, Higgins continued to prove week after week that he’s more than just another WR2. embracing the “1 A” title given by teammate Ja’Marr Chase. 

Second year running back Chase Brown finally got his big break following the departure of Joe Mixon last offseason, giving Brown a long awaited opportunity after starting the season as RB2 behind veteran Zach Moss. Brown got his first start in the Bengal’s week 6 prime time game against the New York Giants and never looked back, finishing the season with over 900 yards on the ground, 229 receiving yards, and 11 total touchdowns. For much of the second half of the season, Brown became a key piece in this Bengals offense, giving the team much needed help on the ground while making plays in the passing game.

Similarly, Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki emerged as another playmaker for this Bengals offense, finishing inside the top 10 in receiving yards among all tight ends. Gesicki’s remained Joe Burrows’ short-down security blanket while also making big plays down the field when the team needed it the most. 

The Cincinnati Bengals are poised for a bounce-back year, aiming not only to remind everyone that they can score on any defense but also get back to playing meaningful football deep into January. Joe Burrow and his skill group won’t be satisfied by winning the AFC North or individual awards like MVP or Offensive Player of the Year; their focus is solely on getting their hands on the prestigious Vince Lombardi Trophy.