COLUMBUS – After five straight playoff appearances — and an NFL-record five straight first-round losses — Bengals have had back-to-back losing seasons, which would mean change at top for most teams.
Instead, coach Marvin Lewis — 0-7 in playoffs — got a two-year contract extension through 2019.
2018 NFL Draft: AT&T Stadium, Arlington TX; April 26-28 (NFL Network)
Bengals’ possible 1st pick (#21) – C James Daniels, Iowa; T Connor Williams, Texas; T Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame; LB Rashaan Evans, Alabama.
Notable for a reluctant-to-change organization, the Bengals fired offensive coordinator Ken Zampese after an 0-2 start and replaced long-time offensive line coach Paul Alexander after the season. Bill Lazor was retained as offensive coordinator for 2018 and given latitude to overhaul an offense that finished last in league.
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The O-line was the biggest problem, and the Bengals (7-9) took a first step toward addressing it by acquiring LT Cordy Glenn in a trade with Buffalo, also swapping 12th and 21st picks in first round.
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Until the Bengals get line fixed, there’s not much hope for significant improvement and the trade for Glenn was merely a first step. C Russell Bodine signed a two-year deal with Buffalo, leaving a hole in middle of line. RT Jake Fisher had a procedure to fix irregular heartbeat last season but expects to return.
QB Andy Dalton and WR A.J. Green return for their eighth season together, coming off what was their least-productive one.
The Bengals expected their top two picks last season, WR John Ross and RB Joe Mixon, to bring big-play abilities as rookies, but neither did much. Ross was hurt most of season and played in three games without getting catch; he carried one time and fumbled. Mixon became starter after Jeremy Hill got hurt and finished with 636 yards and 3.5-yard average as running game was one of worst in franchise history.