Now that Cincinnati Bengals training camp is underway and fans are back to watching their favorite players perform, let’s not forget how much work was needed to improve the team during the offseason.
For an NFL team to be successful, it takes a lot of talent, sound decision-making, luck, and staying healthy for a team to reach the ultimate goal of playing in a Super Bowl. The odds are even more significant for returning to one. The Cincinnati Bengals are trying to get back to the Super Bowl after narrowly losing earlier this year.
The offseason plays a considerable role in whether you are ready for the next year or not.
For the players, the offseason is a time for players to relax, heal up and spend much-needed time with their families. As for the coaches and the organization, it is a time to reflect and improve.
How well did the Bengals do in the offseason to run it back again this year? Here’s how the team won the 2022 offseason.
All stats and rankings courtesy of ESPN
The coaching staff is still intact
This is not precisely an offseason move on the Bengals’ part, but it did work out in favor of them, so I included it in this list. When you have the kind of year the Bengals had last season, it means you are doing things the right way. It also means that struggling teams in search of a head coach will be knocking on your door to pluck your assistant coordinators.
Head coach Zac Taylor is headed into his fourth season and has the same offensive and defensive coordinator for his tenure, which is a rarity. The Denver Broncos interviewed Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan for their head coaching position, as did the New York Giants called up Lou Anarumo for their head coaching job.
It is always an advantage when you can retain your coaching staff and keep them intact. It makes for a smoother training camp when players return to coaches they have played under and schemes they are familiar with, allowing them to play faster with confidence instead of learning an entirely new system.