3 breakout candidates for the Bengals’ 2020 offense

With a rookie quarterback in 2020, some returning Cincinnati Bengals will have to break out on offense to make Joe Burrow’s job easier.

In 2019, the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense ranked 30th in points scored and 26th in total yards. This crummy performance by the offense is a big reason why the Bengals finished 2-14 in Zac Taylor’s first year as head coach.

Despite being an offensive minded coach, Taylor could not salvage the poor circumstances surrounding the unit. The quarterback play was poor, the offensive line play even worse, and there were too many injured wide receivers and tight ends to count.

After the most exciting offseason for the Bengals in recent history, the offense stands to make a huge leap in 2020. Longtime Cincinnati receiver A.J. Green was retained with the front office’s use of the franchise tag and his return from injury should help the offense immensely. In the draft, Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow and Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins were brought in to inject new life into the offense. Additionally, former first round pick Jonah Williams will be making his debut this season, after a rookie year cut short due to an injury.

However, for all of these pieces to come together, some young players are going to need to step up. Even with the new faces in the offense, there are too many weaknesses at this time. That can all change, though, with a few players on offense breaking out. There are three specific second-year Bengals’ who have a good chance of taking the next step in 2020.