5 dream scenarios for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022
By Lukas Moore
Dream No. 2: Lou Anarumo is secretly a genius
Heading into 2021, Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was on the hot seat. His defense cost the Bengals numerous games in 2020, and his schemes appeared too vanilla. He was allergic to blitzing and committed to a zone defense that needed 4-man pressure.
There were rumors that Anarumo was disliked in the locker room, and his approval rating among fans sat in the low teens.
Now? He’s the man that bamboozled Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, twice. Only Bill Belichick has accomplished what the Bengals did in the second halves of Week 17 and the AFC Championship.
Anarumo has also famously tricked John Harbaugh and the Ravens with wacky coverages, and unique instructions for his players. If he continues to outsmart elite coaches, he won’t be a defensive coordinator for long.
With the additions of young, fast, and interchangeable athletes such as Dax Hill, Cam Taylor-Britt, and Tycen Anderson, Anarumo will have more opportunities than ever to showcase his wizardry.
If the glimpses of genius Anarumo has shown become more consistent with personnel that’s geared toward his scheme, the Bengals could ascend into a top-flight defense.