How will the Cincinnati Bengals bounce back in 2024?
According to ESPN’s latest 2024 NFL Draft projections, the Cincinnati Bengals could be securing some much-needed protection for franchise quarterback, Joe Burrow, in the form of Georgia offensive tackle, Amarius Mims.
“The Bengals need a right tackle with Joe Burrow coming back from his right wrist injury and last year’s starter (Jonah Williams) joining the Cardinals. The Trent Brown signing helps, but it is a one-year deal, and he missed six games due to injury last season. So how about Mims? He has a 6-foot-8, 340-pound frame, and his 1.78-second 10-yard split in his 40-yard dash shows his acceleration. However, Mims has played only 774 snaps (relatively inexperienced for an offensive line prospect) and needs to be quicker on his feet.”
Cincinnati Bengals’ Injury Riddled 2023 Season
One of the pre-season favorites to win Super Bowl 58, the Cincinnati Bengals were seemingly poised to remain right in the thick of things in not only the AFC but in the entire NFL. However, a week 11 injury to star quarterback, Joe Burrow just about ended things right then and there. Burrow tore a ligament in his right hand (throwing hand) during the Bengals’ week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, which led to Jake Browning taking over lead signal-caller duties for the club for the remainder of the season.
The Bengals wouldn’t completely bottom out as Zac Taylor’s squad would end the season with a respectable 9-8 record and narrowly missed out on the playoffs due to the aforementioned Browning’s surprisingly solid play following Burrow’s season-ending injury.