• Free agency recap: The Bengals aren’t generally known for spending big in free agency. However, they did so this year by signing offensive tackle Orlando Brown.
• Best move of the offseason: Tackle has been a consistent issue for the Bengals since drafting QB Joe Burrow first overall in 2020, but they finally have a franchise-caliber blocker to protect Burrow’s blind side.
• Outlook for 2023: As long as Joe Burrow and his elite weapons are on the roster, the Bengals will be perennial contenders.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
As the dust settles on the 2023 NFL offseason, it's time to assess how each team fared in their quest to improve their roster.
Recapping blockbuster trades and high-profile signings to shrewd draft selections, PFF offers an in-depth assessment of all 32 NFL teams, shedding light on the potential impact these moves may have on their fortunes in the upcoming campaign.
For more information on each team's draft selections and offseason moves, download the PFF draft guide today!
CINCINNATI BENGALS OFFSEASON GRADE: A
2023 NFL Free Agency
| FA signings | FA losses |
| T Orlando Brown | S Jessie Bates III (ATL) |
| LB Germaine Pratt | S Vonn Bell (CAR) |
| S Nick Scott | TE Hayden Hurst (CAR) |
| TE Irv Smith Jr. | CB Eli Apple (FA) |
| EDGE Tarell Basham | RB Samaje Perine (DEN) |
| G Cody Ford | |
| CB Sidney Jones |
Free agency recap
The Bengals aren’t generally known for spending big in free agency. However, they did so this year by signing offensive tackle Orlando Brown, who received a signing bonus of $31 million and will carry an average yearly salary of $16 million.
The secondary was also significantly overhauled. Jesse Bates III, Vonn Bell and Eli Apple depart, and Nick Scott and CB Sidney Jones have been signed in their stead.
2023 Draft class
R1 (28): EDGE Myles Murphy, Clemson
R2 (60): CB DJ Turner, Michigan
R3 (95): S Jordan Battle, Alabama
R4 (131): WR Charlie Jones, Purdue
R5 (163): RB Chase Brown, Illinois
R6 (206): WR Andrei Iosivas, Princeton
R6 (217): P Brad Robbins, Michigan
R7 (246): CB DJ Ivey, Miami (FL)
2023 NFL Draft recap
Cincinnati addressed several critical defensive needs on the first two days of the draft and walked away from Day 3 with a number of intriguing offensive skill players.
Clemson's Myles Murphy showed flashes of brilliance as an edge rusher, but he must improve his hand usage and core strength against the run. He recorded seven sacks and seven QB hits in 2022, but his run-defense grade regressed to 72.8.
Wide receiver Charlie Jones could develop into one of the steals of Day 3. He transferred to Purdue from Iowa in 2022 and enjoyed a breakout campaign for the Boilermakers, racking up 110 catches with just three drops, and he caught nine or more passes in eight games.
He saved his best for last, posting a career-high 13 grabs for 162 yards against Michigan in the Big 10 championship game, including a 32-yarder against Bengals second-round cornerback DJ Turner.
Best move of the offseason: Signing Orlando Brown
Tackle has been a consistent issue for the Bengals since drafting QB Joe Burrow first overall in 2020, but they finally have a franchise-caliber blocker to protect Burrow’s blind side. Brown gave up just four sacks last season for the Chiefs and has given up just 16 sacks over his five-year NFL career.
Remaining team needs: Center depth
Ted Karras was a solid addition last season, but he is now 30, and there is little experience behind him on the depth chart. Trey Hill was a sixth-round pick in 2021 and has played fewer than 300 snaps in his NFL career. His overall grade in just two seasons is just 47.6, and no other player currently on the Bengals roster has any significant NFL experience at the position.
Early position battle to watch: TE Irv Smith Jr. vs. TE Devin Asiasi
With Hayden Hurst now in Carolina, the Bengals will likely look to replace him with either Irv Smith Jr. or Devin Asiasi, two players with promising athletic profiles who have struggled to put it all together during their NFL careers.
Smith never enjoyed the breakout season he seemed destined to produce, as injuries largely derailed his final two seasons in Minnesota. After posting 88 catches and eight touchdowns over his first two NFL seasons, he managed just 29 grabs and three scores over the last two years and failed to post a run-blocking grade over 60.0 after his rookie 2019 season.
Asiasi played 200 snaps for the Bengals last year, posting a run-blocking grade of just 53.7 while hauling in just two catches on four targets for the season.
2023 Outlook
As long as Joe Burrow and his elite weapons are on the roster, the Bengals will be perennial contenders.
The secondary will be the biggest question heading into the season, as it lost its star in free agency and will require a number of fresh faces to make significant contributions. Adding of Murphy to the pass rush, however, could make a strong front in 2022 even better going forward and allow for a more seamless transition for the new pieces on the back end.
Cincinnati made the Super Bowl two years ago, returned to the AFC Championship Game last season and may have the complete roster required to win it all in 2023.
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