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Stripe Hype Podcast: Top offensive weapons

By Travis Steffen

CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 8: A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs the football in for a 77 yard touchdown reception during the first quarter of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Paul Brown Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 8: A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs the football in for a 77 yard touchdown reception during the first quarter of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Paul Brown Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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The Cincinnati Bengals missed some of their top weapons last season. What weapons will be the center of the offense in 2018?

The Cincinnati Bengals have a significant amount of changes to the offense going into the 2018 season. Frank Pollack has taken over the offensive line coaching position and with his new additions of left tackle Cordy Glenn, center Billy Price, and right tackle Bobby Hart to add to his depth chart, we should see some much-needed improvement up front.

Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor has put his stamp on the offensive playbook this offseason and looks to make the offense more explosive. After coming up last in the league last season in yards per game, this offense needs firepower. Tight end Tyler Eifert and wide receiver John Ross returning from injuries will be vital to that attack. The running backs should also see an uptick in carries as well as targets out of the backfield in Lazor’s new offense.

While Tyler Eifert will bring a heavy presence for defenses to cover, he should not be the center point of this offense. We have yet to have Eifert for a full season and while the Bengals should utilize him often, they should focus the playbook on if he can’t be on the field. John Ross will have to step up and prove why he was a top ten pick just a year ago for this offense to take a huge step forward in 2018.

Next: Keys to the Bengals making the playoffs part one

The run game will also have to be a huge factor. Second-year running back Joe Mixon saw limited time carrying the ball last season. In fact, the Bengals ranked 29th last season in rushing attempts period. Running the ball will open things up for veteran quarterback Andy Dalton in 2018. With the talent in the running back room, there is no reason to not run the ball behind an improved line this year.