When the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2023 offseason started, it didn’t get off to the best of begins.

Whereas the crew was fast to re-sign linebacker Germaine Pratt, in addition they watched key veterans Jessie Bates, Vonn Bell, Hayden Hurst, and Samaje Perine depart city.

Nevertheless, the Bengals bounced again in a significant means by signing stud left deal with Orlando Brown Jr. away from Kansas Metropolis. That alone made this a profitable offseason for Cincinnati, who has constantly had one of many NFL’s worst offensive strains since 2017. It gave them a transparent improve at left deal with, whereas additionally shifting Jonah Williams to proper deal with, successfully upgrading two spots with one signing.

The Bengals then added extra key veterans in security Nick Scott and tight finish Irv Smith Jr., whereas their 2023 NFL Draft class was broadly praised as an excellent haul total.

CBS analyst Garrett Podell simply did a rating of the highest 16 offseasons of any NFL crew. The Bengals ranked seventh total and third amongst AFC groups, trailing solely the Miami Dolphins (1) and Buffalo Payments (6).

Proper behind the Bengals have been the Pittsburgh Steelers (8), Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (9), and San Francisco 49ers (10).

Here’s what Podell needed to say about Cincinnati’s massive offseason.

The Cincinnati Bengals well executed an offseason wherein they as soon as once more beefed up their offensive line whereas additionally including younger, defensive depth in a team-friendly means, by way of the 2023 NFL Draft. They shortly pounced on Kansas Metropolis Chiefs four-time Professional Bowl left deal with Orlando Brown Jr. hitting the open market by changing him to the opposite facet of the NFL’s present high rivalry on a four-year, $64 million contract. That wage is the Tenth-highest amongst NFL left tackles, a relative cut price at one in all their largest positions of want. Cincy’s offensive line ranked twenty ninth in Professional Soccer Focus’ pass-blocking grade throughout their AFC Championship season in 2021, and the unit ranked thirty first in all the league in 2022.

Phrase.