Three hottest seats on the Cincinnati Bengals

After back-to-back AFC Championship Game appearances and a Super Bowl appearance in 2021, things are mostly peachy for the Cincinnati Bengals. When you have superstar Joe Burrow at QB, what can be wrong? But several Bengals players are on the hot seat as the start of the new league year approaches March 15.

1. Running back Joe Mixon

Off the field, Mixon has made headlines that must make the team wince.

Earlier this week, a home associated with Mixon became part of a crime scene after a late-night shooting. An investigation is ongoing. No arrests have been made.

Off the field, Mixon faced a misdemeanor menacing charge in January for allegedly pointing a gun at a woman. The charge was dropped in early February, but it could be refiled, per the Cincinnati Enquirer.

On the field, the 26-year-old finished 2022 with 814 rushing yards, nearly 400 yards fewer than in 2021. At the NFL Scouting Combine recently, Bengals GM Duke Tobin was non-committal on Mixon's future with the team.

"Joe has been a vital part of our team," he said. "Again, I'm not gonna predict the offseason because I don't have the answers. In the words of the great Kevin Malone (a character from "The Office"), 'I don't know.'" 

The Bengals can save $7.26 million against the cap by cutting Mixon.

2. Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie

Awuzie, who signed a three-year, $21.75 million contract in 2021, has struggled mightily to stay on the field. In 2022, he played in eight games, tallying 35 tackles, five passes defensed and one forced fumble.

Entering the final year of his deal, the 27-year old must rebound from the first zero-interception season of his career.