For most of the season, head coach Zac Taylor and the Cincinnati Bengals were without a healthy starting quarterback.
In a season where there were few games with a healthy starting quarterback, Taylor and the Bengals managed to post a 9-8 record. Due to a persistent calf injury that prevented him from playing in all four games, quarterback Joe Burrow was unable to lead the
offense to its maximum potential.
The offensive line is the one obvious problem the Cincinnati Bengals have had since their 2021 Super Bowl run. Frank Pollack, the offensive line coach, has held that role since 2021. This is his second tenure with the Bengals.
The Bengals gave up 55 sacks in 2021. This total tied for third place in the NFL, and one of those sacks kept the Bengals from winning the Super Bowl by preventing Burrow from finding a wide-open wide receiver in Ja’Marr Chase who was racing towards the goal zone.
With the dearth of quality at his disposal, Pollack’s high 2021 sack totals were understandable. Since then, the Bengals front management has strengthened the offensive line each offseason by making moves. Each year since joining the Bengals, rookie offensive linemen have gotten worse.
Orlando Brown was a blockbuster acquisition made by the Bengals in the summer for their offensive line. According to PFF, Brown had his worst NFL season in his first year with the Bengals. Compared to his rookie year, his 2023 season grade of 66.1 was lower. Bengals supporters are upset that Taylor suggested Pollack would continue to work for the team.
