NFL execs throw some serious doubt at Joe Burrow’s Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have always been a challenging team to assess during the offseason. Despite being a formidable squad on paper, featuring the elite quarterback Joe Burrow and a talented skill position group, the front office’s aggressive approach has raised some eyebrows. However, concerns have surfaced from NFL executives, who have expressed doubts about the team’s direction.

According to Mike Sando of The Athletic, several NFL executives polled ahead of Week 1 raised questions regarding the team’s rebuilding defense and the offensive line. One executive specifically pointed out the offensive line as a cause for concern, stating, "You love the skill-position talent, and the defense should take a leap, but I’m not sure they have the scheme to be elite defensively."

Another executive added, "Offensively, can they run it with Chase Brown? Do they even want to run it? Can they protect? This ain’t fantasy football."

The Bengals fans might find it hard to accept criticism of the offensive line, given their strong season and the fact that the same starting five are returning for another year for the first time in Joe Burrow’s tenure. Nevertheless, there seems to be some apprehension about the line’s performance and the overall effectiveness of the offense during the preseason, particularly in under-center work.

With these lingering doubts about the offensive line, the rebuilt defense, and potential health concerns, the Bengals will need to provide answers to address these issues. Until they do, polls like the one ranking the Bengals seventh in the AFC currently remain accurate.