Taylor planned to analyze film from the season and have extensive conversations with the front office about what other changes need made.Here are five takeaways from the season that should be factored into those discussions.1. Slow start once again proved costlyThe Bengals have struggled early in seasons under Zac Taylor, and that trend continued this year and ultimately put the team in too deep of a hole to climb once a turnaround began. Cincinnati lost four of its first five games, including the first three, and the team was 4-8 before finding a rhythm for a five-game winning streak to close the season.An opening loss to a New England Patriots team that went 4-13 seemed to set the tone for a disappointing 9-8 season. Seven of the eight losses were by a touchdown or less.Taylor said much emphasis will be placed on figuring out what needs to be done to get off to a better start in 2025. In his six seasons, the Bengals are 1-11 over the first two weeks, and they are 9-20-1 over the first five games. Taylor has a 46-52-1 record, which included the 2-14 first campaign.2. Risks didn’t pay offCincinnati took some big risks in 2024 that just didn’t pan out or that cost the team in some way, most notably with the decision to draft wide receiver Jermaine Burton in the third round despite red flags regarding his character and work ethic.Burton struggled to learn the playbook during the offseason workout program and was at the back of the depth chart throughout training camp, and the Bengals quickly learned they would not be able to count on him as the key weapon they hoped he could be alongside Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.He ended up being a healthy scratch twice because of missed meetings or practice time, the latest incident coming ahead of a must-win finale. Reports this week surfaced about an eviction notice and related lawsuit he was facing, as well as an alleged assault of a 19-year-old woman who decided not to press charges.Although Burton was the most obvious letdown, the Bengals also missed with the decision to sign free agent defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins as D.J. Reader’s replacement. Rankins skipped most of the offseason workout program then dealt with injury early in the season, then missed the final seven games because of a viral illness, and Cincinnati’s defensive line sorely missed a guy like Reader, for his leadership and ability to close gaps.Credit: APCredit: AP3. The defense was a messInjuries impacted all levels of the defense at one point or another, but the depth was a concern going into the season and proved not to be strong enough. Through the first 12 games just one other team had allowed more points per game than the Bengals, and the turnaround – boosted by a sudden surge in takeaways – over the last five games came too late.Cincinnati had the league’s best pass rusher in Trey Hendrickson but didn’t get enough pressure from elsewhere on the defense. Veteran Sam Hubbard saw a drop in production while playing through injuries and young guys just didn’t develop enough.At linebacker, Logan Wilson missed the final six games due to injury, and Germaine Pratt struggled with missed tackles as much as anyone else on the team.The secondary has major questions going forward after Cam Taylor-Britt struggled most of the season, Vonn Bell ended up benched at strong safety and Geno Stone took two-thirds of the season to settle in. The Bengals saw improvement from Dax Hill in the move from safety cornerback, but he tore his ACL in Game 5, and then DJ Turner eventually joined him on injured reserve after he broke his clavicle in Week 11.Now a new defensive coordinator will have to decide how much to rip up and start over and what is worth salvaging.4. Offensive line strugglesJoe Burrow led the league with 4,918 yards passing and 43 touchdowns, but breakdowns in his protection impacted his play at key moments in some close games. The decision to part ways with offensive line coach Frank Pollack was a clear indication standards weren’t met in that area.The guard play especially seemed to take a step back this season and will be an area to address this offseason.Right guard Alex Cappa finished last among all NFL guards in pressures (51), hurries (36) and sacks allowed (eight), according to Pro Football Focus, and left guard Cordell Volson wasn’t far behind before he lost his starting job late in the season. Volson, who was replaced by Cody Ford, ranked second in total pressures allowed among guards (43) and gave up six sacks (tied for third worst).Both of those positions could be upgraded in 2025.Credit: APCredit: AP5. Deals needed for Chase, HigginsThe front office wasn’t able to get a long-term extension done for Ja’Marr Chase last year, and he sat out of training camp, then got off to a slow start individually with just 10 catches for 97 yards over the first two games.Chase ended up having the best season of his career, winning the receiver’s triple crown, and now his stock is up even higher going into another round of negotiations this offseason. However, the Bengals can’t afford to let a deal linger and risk him sitting out again. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, his “hold in” during camp was a distraction.The Burton situation also is perhaps the best signal Cincinnati needs to do what it can to keep Higgins. The Bengals know what he can bring to the offense and the locker room, and Burrow made clear he wants to keep throwing passes to Higgins. The pressure is on the front office to not let “great players (like Higgins) get out of the building.”

The guard play especially seemed to take a step back this season and will be an area to address this offseason.Here are five takeaways from the season that should be factored into those discussions.The front office wasn’t able to get a long-term extension done for Ja’Marr Chase last year, and he sat out of training […]

The guard play especially seemed to take a step back this season and will be an area to address this offseason.Here are five takeaways from the season that should be factored into those discussions.The front office wasn’t able to get a long-term extension done for Ja’Marr Chase last year, and he sat out of training camp, then got off to a slow start individually with just 10 catches for 97 yards over the first two games.Right guard Alex Cappa finished last among all NFL guards in pressures (51), hurries (36) and sacks allowed (eight), according to Pro Football Focus, and left guard Cordell Volson wasn’t far behind before he lost his starting job late in the season. Volson, who was replaced by Cody Ford, ranked second in total pressures allowed among guards (43) and gave up six sacks (tied for third worst).An opening loss to a New England Patriots team that went 4-13 seemed to set the tone for a disappointing 9-8 season. Seven of the eight losses were by a touchdown or less.Taylor planned to analyze film from the season and have extensive conversations with the front office about what other changes need made.Although Burton was the most obvious letdown, the Bengals also missed with the decision to sign free agent defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins as D.J. Reader’s replacement. Rankins skipped most of the offseason workout program then dealt with injury early in the season, then missed the final seven games because of a viral illness, and Cincinnati’s defensive line sorely missed a guy like Reader, for his leadership and ability to close gaps.Credit: AP5. Deals needed for Chase, HigginsChase ended up having the best season of his career, winning the receiver’s triple crown, and now his stock is up even higher going into another round of negotiations this offseason. However, the Bengals can’t afford to let a deal linger and risk him sitting out again. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, his “hold in” during camp was a distraction.The Burton situation also is perhaps the best signal Cincinnati needs to do what it can to keep Higgins. The Bengals know what he can bring to the offense and the locker room, and Burrow made clear he wants to keep throwing passes to Higgins. The pressure is on the front office to not let “great players (like Higgins) get out of the building.”

3. The defense was a mess