The Bengals' 'Bungles' Are Back, and It’s Getting Worse | OutKick
Imagine this: during a Monday Night game against the Broncos, the Bengals were on offense, trying to pass the ball. The Broncos sent three defenders rushing, but somehow Cincinnati’s offensive line decided to block one of them with four of their own. That decision left Denver’s outside rushers exposed, resulting in two sacks for the quarterback. It wasn’t just one mistake—it was part of a larger pattern of chaos.
The Bengals’ ‘Bungles’ Are Back
This season started with so much promise. Quarterback Joe Burrow had navigated training camp and the preseason without a hitch. Contract disputes on both offense and defense had been resolved before the regular season even began. The team was on track to build on a strong start, winning their first two games—a major goal for coach Zac Taylor.
But then came the second win. Burrow left the game with a severe turf toe injury, requiring surgery and effectively ending his season. The Bengals’ momentum crumbled quickly. They lost two straight games, getting outscored 76-13. The offense looked helpless, and the defense, which usually relies on the offense to create space, seemed incapable of stopping anyone from reaching the end zone.
The worst part? A 28-3 drubbing by the Broncos. The Bengals gave up 512 yards on defense, but their offense was equally ineffective, managing only 106 net yards passing. Their running game was worse than useless. There was no humor in this for the players.
Ja'Marr Chase, the team’s star receiver, admitted he was frustrated. "It’s hard, it’s hard," he said. "We know we’re a downfield threat team. But right now, we’re facing adversity and have to figure it out." During the game, Chase confronted Taylor, arguing about plays and how to attack defenses. He wanted the coach to give him and Tee Higgins the ball—but it didn’t happen. Chase caught five passes for just 23 yards.
Taylor tried to downplay the exchange. "Ja’Marr is one of my favorite players to deal with because he’s competitive," he said. "He wants to win, and it comes across as emotional, but that’s just a captain who works hard." In reality, Taylor was trying to placate a star with words, not action.
The Bengals Are in Trouble
Backup QB Jake Browning is average at best. The offensive line is inconsistent. The defense is struggling. And the coaching staff’s preparation has been lackluster. This is a recipe for disaster—a season filled with few bright spots and overwhelming setbacks.
So far, calls to trade for Kirk Cousins or Russell Wilson have fallen on deaf ears. Why? Because the Bengals probably realize that replacing a struggling backup QB with another struggling one won’t fix the problem. The 'Bungles' are back—and it’s time to get used to it.
