Year three of the Cincinnati Bengals rebuild kicks into high gear as the Bengals report to training camp on July 27.
Head coach Zac Taylor and company have several new players to incorporate and evaluate as the team attempts to rebound from a disappointing injury-plagued 2020. In addition to assessing all the new pieces, the Bengals have many players who ended last year on injured reserve who are currently on the final stages of their recovery process.
The Enquirer examines the top five storylines for the Bengals as training camp approaches:
Knee watch: Joe Burrow’s health
Joe Burrow’s added strength this offseason, and his teammates have complimented the quarterback’s increased throwing velocity. But all eyes will be on his left knee during training camp.
Burrow said during mandatory minicamp that his surgically repaired left knee was 85% healthy. The Bengals starting quarterback hopes to be near 100% once training camp officially commences.
Regardless of what percentage Burrow’s knee is, the Bengals will be extremely cautious with the 2020 No. 1 overall pick. Burrow will be eight and a half months removed from the operating table when training camp starts. The prognosis for his type of knee injury is nine to 12 months.
The Bengals are going to monitor Burrow closely as the quarterback begins to ramp up his activity. Cincinnati’s ultimately goal is to have Burrow at full-go Week 1 versus the Minnesota Vikings at Paul Brown Stadium.
“I’ll be ready to go for the season as long as there’s no setbacks,” Burrow said in June. “Right now, it’s looking good.”
Burrow’s goal since his knee procedure has been to play in the season opener. September 12 is his target date.
Integrating new starters, evaluating young players
The Bengals could have as many as 10 new starters this season, including rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, defensive end Trey Hendrickson, cornerback Trae Waynes and kicker Evan McPherson.
Behind the starters, there are plenty of new faces and young players the Bengals have to integrate as well.
More than 75% of the players on Cincinnati’s roster arrived after Taylor was hired.
“A lot of these guys are new,” Taylor said. “We have guys that didn’t really get to participate last year and a lot of new additions this year in free agency and the draft.”
Taylor and his staff have the tall task of evaluating a roster with a lot of new faces and key players on both sides of the ball returning from season-ending injuries.
Frank Pollack tries to upgrade much-maligned offensive line
Assistant coach Frank Pollack returned to Cincinnati this offseason to upgrade what’s been a lackluster offensive line. The Bengals O-line gave up an AFC North-worst 48 sacks and allowed a division-high 191 pressures last season.
Pollack’s drawn rave reviews since his return to Cincinnati. Pollack spent the 2018 season as the Bengals O-line coach but left for the same job with the New York Jets after Marvin Lewis did not return as the team's head coach.
“He’s bringing a lot to the table. I really love his coaching, and I’ve really enjoyed learning from him so far,” Bengals left tackle Jonah Williams said.
The Bengals signed Riley Reiff in free agency to start at right tackle and drafted Jackson Carman in the second round of this year’s draft. Carman is part of an intriguing position battle at guard. Carman, Quinton Spain, Xavier Su'a-Filo and Michael Jordan are all vying for two starting guard spots.
Cincinnati also drafted tackle D'Ante Smith and interior lineman Trey Hill to add depth to the unit.
The Bengals are going into training camp with 14 offensive linemen on their roster. The Enquirer projects Cincinnati’s starting offensive line to feature Williams at left tackle, Spain at left guard, Trey Hopkins at center, Carman at right guard and Reiff at right tackle.
Expect plenty of competitive position battles behind the projected starters.
It’s also worth noting that the health of Hopkins will be something to monitor all training camp.
Lou Anarumo and the new-look defense
The Bengals were aggressive on defense in free agency for the second straight year. Cincinnati made defensive end Hendrickson its highest-paid defensive player in franchise history. They hope he can spark a defense that finished last in the league in sacks.
Hendrickson is part of a new-look defense that could have as many as six new starters.
The Bengals have high expectations for second-year linebacker Logan Wilson who is transitioning to a starting role.
In the secondary, the Bengals are slated to have cornerbacks Trae Waynes, Mike Hilton and Chidobe Awuzie as their new starters. Cornerback Eli Apple and safety Ricardo Allen also figure to have a large role.
Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has plenty of work to do in training camp as he tries to upgrade a unit that’s struggled during his time in Cincinnati. The Bengals were the 26th-ranked defense in the NFL last season.
Anarumo was pleased with his defense at OTAs and minicamp but cautioned there’s still work to be done.
“With all the new guys that we have, we feel like we’re exactly where we want to be. We still got a ways to go, but we’re happy with where we’re at this point,” Anarumo said.
Will Evan McPherson earn starting kicker job?
McPherson was the lone kicker drafted in this year’s draft. The Bengals expect the Florida product to take command of kicking duties.
“I think that’s why you put draft picks on these guys like this. You expect them to come in and play for you right away,” Bengals special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons said after the team selected McPherson in the fifth round. “That’s what I fully expect with him.”
McPherson will be given every opportunity to beat out kicker Austin Seibert, who finished last season as the team’s starter.
Seibert connected on 75% of his field goals in 2020. He’s been successful on 81.6% of his career field goals.
McPherson led the SEC with a career field goal percentage of 85.
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