Zac Taylor is back for his eighth season as head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, who finished just 6-11 last year. The key is health, especially after Joe Burrow missed eight games. Dan Pitcher returns for his third season as offensive coordinator. Burrow is healthy again. The Bengals bring back their top running backs from a year ago, Chase Brown and Samaje Perine. Cincinnati returns four of its top five pass catchers from a year ago. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Andrei Iosivas return, along with tight ends Drew Sample and Mike Gesicki. The Bengals return all five starters on the offensive line: Orlando Brown Jr., Dylan Fairchild, Ted Karras, Dalton Risner, and Amarius Mims. Jalen Rivers also returns to provide depth.

Al Golden is back for his second season as defensive coordinator. The Bengals return eight of their top eleven tacklers from a season ago. Myles Murphy, T.J. Slaton Jr., and BJ Hill return to a revamped defensive line. Dexter Lawrence comes over from the Giants, Jonathan Allen from the Vikings, and Boye Mafe from the Seahawks. Linebackers Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter return. Dax Hill, DJ Turner II, and Jordan Battle return to the secondary, along with Bryan Cook from Kansas City and Kyle Dugger, who comes over from Pittsburgh. The defense has enough talent to keep this team competitive.

Darrin Simmons returns for year number 24 as special teams coach for the Bengals. Evan McPherson is back after connecting on 89% of his attempts last year. Ryan Rehkow returns as punter after averaging over 50 yards per punt a season ago. Ke’Shawn Williams will factor into the return game. The Bengals are better than their record last year. The key is to stay healthy. This team has great talent in all three phases.