Without fail, the Cincinnati Bengals will be the big winners when the 2020 NFL Combine wraps-up in Indianapolis.
With the first pick of the 2020 NFL Draft an absolute lock and veteran quarterback Andy Dalton a lock to go anywhere, the Cincinnati Bengals have managed to hit some home runs without swinging for the fences. That’s good, as the next few weeks and months can redefine everything about a franchise.
LSU standout Joe Burrow will be the next ‘would be’ franchise starting quarterback in Cincinnati. After a lot of years where fans grew attached to what might be with Andy Dalton, a different wind blows with a Heisman Trophy winner. The hope has to be that second-year coach Zac Taylor is finally at that place where everything he told the Bengals finally comes to pass.
As for Dalton, that hope has to be that he renders some draft picks. If it’s a pie in the sky second or third-round pick, the Bengals should take it and not look back. The veteran should look at the 2020 off-season as a chance to reboot, relocate, and restart a career.
The wildcard in all of this remains A.J. Green. He’s likely stuck with the franchise tag and fans stuck with his bad attitude. He’s made it clear he’d like a long term deal. The Bengals won’t, and frankly shouldn’t given his history of injuries. Cincinnati would be smart to make it known they are set to move on, start fresh, and allow a fan favorite a shot at a Lombardi Trophy elsewhere.
2020 is lining up for the Bengals. With Burrow, a slew of respectable wide receivers all over the draft map, and the chance to start over, things are rosy in Cincinnati. Taylor has the do-over he desperately needs, and the fans get a hometown hero. For an NFL Combine, this should rank high in the Queen City.