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Cincinnati Bengals: 5 offseason needs in 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 11: Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins (97), offensive guard Christian Westerman (63), defensive tackle Andrew Billings (99) and defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) runs onto the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on November 25th 2018, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 11: Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins (97), offensive guard Christian Westerman (63), defensive tackle Andrew Billings (99) and defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) runs onto the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on November 25th 2018, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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It’s now three straight years that the Cincinnati Bengals have missed the playoffs. What are the biggest issues this team must address in the coming months?

Make it three consecutive losing seasons after five straight playoff berths for the Cincinnati Bengals. Now for the first time since 2002, Marvin Lewis will not be on the sidelines. Enter former Los Angeles Rams’ quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor as the team’s newest sideline leader.

The club owns a combined 19-28-1 record these past three years and in ’18, finished last in the AFC North for the first time since 2010. While teams are preparing for free agency and the draft in April, the Bengals are missing one vital part of their coaching staff. And there’s no better place to start than…

5. Settle on a defensive coordinator

As of this writing, Cincinnati Bengals had yet to name a new defensive coordinator. You will remember that during the season, newly-appointed Teryl Austin (who succeeded Paul Guenther) was relieved of his duties. One-time Cleveland Browns’ head coach Hue Jackson – dumped by that team at midseason – was brought in to help Marvin Lewis with this side of the ball. But things seemed to get worse before they got better. When was all said and done, no team in the league gave up more total yards and more passing yards last season than the club from the Queen City.

Whoever gets the job, and the franchise has already gone through its share of candidates, takes over a unit that was dead last in the league in total yards allowed per game (413.6 average). The Bengals allowed 49 offensive touchdowns and only the Oakland Raiders (467) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (464) gave up more points than Cincinnati (455) in ’18.

Next: No. 4

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