The Cincinnati Bengals are a win away from one of the most unlikely Super Bowl championships in recent memory.
Even if they lose to the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday, there are myriad reasons to believe they will be contenders for years to come.
Quarterback Joe Burrow is already a superstar, while the Bengals have flanked him with elite skill players and a solid defense.
Cincinnati has more than $58 million in salary cap space this offseason, which will allow them to keep adding pieces to the puzzle. According to analysis by Pro Football Focus, the Bengals have the fifth-best combination of cap space and draft capital for 2022.
Joe Burrow: 89.6 passer rating under pressure this season
1st among all QBs
📸: @Bengals pic.twitter.com/NpGR9imx33
— PFF (@PFF) February 7, 2022
The one thing that can slow the Bengals down? Themselves.
The organization has long been known for its modest resources and questionable commitment to winning. When I spoke with former Bengals defensive end Frostee Rucker in September, he wondered if long-term stability was practical given some of the competitive disadvantages, like a six-person scouting staff.
“They make some good moves, but I think it’s the culture of the organization that will limit the ultimate success,” Rucker told me. “ I haven’t been there for many years, so I’m not really talking crap, but I do believe the culture of the organization has to change to win (consistently). That comes from the top (with owner Mike Brown.)
“When I was in Cincinnati, you couldn’t take Gatorade home. It was the most odd thing. I never understood it. You couldn’t take any home. It was like two bottles. Coach would say, ‘It’s because you make enough money. You can buy your own.’ Things of that nature were just odd. It wasn’t until I left that I saw there was more out there.”
The margin between winning and losing in the NFL is razor thin. The Bengals finished 10-7 in the regular season and captured the AFC North in part because the Ravens were besieged by injuries.
The Bengals are the third-worst team in the DVOA era to make the Super Bowl.
2021 Bengals: 0.0%
2003 Panthers: -0.2%
2008 Cardinals: -4%The 03 Panthers lost 32-29 to the Patriots and the 08 Cardinals fell 27-23 to the Steelers.
— DOWNTOWN RAMS [DTR] (@DowntownRams) February 8, 2022
That led to a fortuitous postseason path with games against the Raiders and Titans in the first two rounds. The Bengals deserve credit for winning those contests, and major plaudits for beating the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game, but in an alternate universe their journey could have been derailed several times.
The Bengals are in a great position to capitalize on this run and build a strong base for future seasons, but that will take more dedication than has been previously shown.
“I frequent Cincinnati, and they still don’t have an indoor facility, so they still practice outside in the cold weather,” Rucker said in September. “Even their practice field right now in the fall, there is literally a highway right above it where someone can stop and videotape during practice. It’s right under a highway pass. When it comes to that, how is the thought process winning when anyone can stop and record practice and plays?”
Lack of a practice facility isn’t keeping Gronk or any one away from the Bengals. No one cares, players want to win
— Ace Boogie (@NewStripeCity) February 9, 2022
In a press conference this week, Burrow mentioned what it was like as a kid in The Plains, Ohio, where allegiances were split among three NFL teams.
“Being from Ohio and being the quarterback of the Bengals is something I’m really proud of,” Burrow said. “Growing up, there weren’t a lot of Bengals fans in high school, middle school. Growing up, it was all Steelers and Browns. There were Bengals fans here and there that were kind of made fun of.”
There was a reason for that. The Bengals received scorn because they weren’t as committed to success as other organizations.
But now, Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Co. have turned the Bengals into America’s darlings, and the team has a chance to forge a new path.
A one-year Cinderella run is a great story, but Cincinnati also needs to aim for staying power.
“We’re excited to put a product on the field that the fans are proud of and gives them bragging rights,” Burrow said.
