An optimist's guide to the 2024 Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals nearly made the playoffs with backup quarterback Jake Browning last season after watching Joe Burrow suffer a season-ending wrist injury in Week 11.

Here's why Cincinnati will return to the postseason and be a Super Bowl contender again in 2024.

A healthy Joe Burrow

When Burrow suffered a torn Scapholunate ligament in his right wrist and was announced to miss the remainder of the season, it was hard to find anyone who believed the Bengals would do much more the rest of the year.

The 27-year-old is one of the best quarterbacks in the league when healthy, throwing for 14,083 yards and 97 touchdowns in the past four seasons.

All eyes have been on Burrow since Cincinnati has taken the field for OTAs and head coach Zac Taylor likes what he's seen thus far.

"He's been accurate, he's been on time, throwing with great velocity and power. I like what I see," Taylor said via Olivia Ray of WLWT.

Improved secondary

The Bengals defense took a step back last season. In 2023, the unit allowed the league's fifth-most passing yards per game (248.4).

Cincinnati focused on improving the backend by reuniting with safety Vonn Bell, who played for the team from 2020-22, and signing former Ravens safety Geno Stone in free agency.

Bell and Stone should improve the secondary after combining for 137 tackles, eight interceptions and 11 passes defensed last year.

Cornerbacks Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner II should also take their games to another level heading into their third and second seasons in the NFL.

A trio of massive tackles

The Bengals No. 1 priority should be keeping Burrow upright following the injury-riddled start to his career. They signed the 6-foot-8, 345-pound Orlando Brown Jr. last offseason and now added two more massive bookends this offseason.

Cincinnati signed the 6-foot-8, 370-pound Trent Brown in free agency and used its first-round pick (No. 18) in the 2024 NFL Draft on the 6-foot-8, 340-pound Amarius Mims.

The team doesn't need to rush Mims into the starting lineup, but he provides great depth if needed. Burrow should feel safe behind all three.