Cincinnati Bengals
After five straight years of first-round playoff losses, the Bengals decided to give their fans a break in January by missing the playoffs completely in 2016. Entering the 2017 offseason, it seemed obvious that this team needed improvement on a number of fronts.
The good news for Cincinnati is that the Bengals entered free agency with plenty of cap space. The bad news? Cincinnati still has plenty of cap space.
The Bengals have lost Andrew Whitworth (Los Angeles Rams) and Kevin Zeitler (to the hated Cleveland Browns) — two starters from an offensive line that was one of the NFL’s worst in 2016.
Now, losing two starters from a bad unit may not seem like a bad thing. But Whitworth and Zeitler were unarguably the Bengals’ best two players up front. Additionally, they’ve yet to be replaced by anyone externally. So, even if Whitworth and Zeitler weren’t that good, what are the chances that the guys behind them on the depth chart will be better?
Now, one of two things is possible.
One possibility: The Bengals are significantly smarter than everyone and this is all part of a master plan that will lead to Cincinnati hosting the next NFL dynasty.
The other possibility: The Bengals really don’t know what they’re doing.
You can decide for yourself. Before you make your decision, though, know that six full presidential terms (and parts of two others) have passed since Cincinnati last won a playoff game.
Based on the path that the 2017 offseason has taken, the smart money says that that streak won’t be ending any time soon.