10 Bold Predictions for the Bengals’ Season in 2020
By Aaron Burd
The tight end position will be a non-factor in the passing game
While the wide receiver and running back positions are absolutely loaded for the Bengals, the tight end position is one of the weakest spots on the team. With the departure of Tyler Eifert in free agency, C.J. Uzomah and Drew Sample will likely split snaps in 2020.
Uzomah has been a part of the team for five years now, and in that time he has shown himself to be average at his best, and invisible at his worst. Sample, on the other hand, is a complete unknown. His selection by the Bengals in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft shocked many, as he was expected to go in the fourth round at earliest. He was not given a chance to prove his doubters wrong, as he missed the majority of his rookie year with an injury.
In addition to a lack of talent at the position, head coach Zac Taylor’s offense does not require much production from tight ends. During Taylor’s time under Sean McVay in Los Angeles, tight ends Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett were hardly used. Taylor continued this trend in his first year as head coach of the Bengals, where tight ends Eifert and Uzomah were not given much focus.
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The Bengals have such a loaded group of weapons in 2020 that they can afford not to feature the tight ends heavily. With studs like A.J. Green, Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins, and more at wide receiver, quarterback Joe Burrow can have success without passing to Uzomah or Sample. Additionally, a strong running game will mean the tight ends will be better served as blockers than receivers.
Overall, due to a lack of talent, Zac Taylor’s system, and a loaded group of receivers and running backs, the Bengals’ offense will not feature tight ends very heavily as receivers. Expect low production from Uzomah and Sample in 2020.