The Cincinnati Bengals’ defense has made noticeable strides during training camp this summer — but their dominant performance is raising concerns about the protection around star quarterback Joe Burrow.
Last season, Cincinnati allowed 48 sacks, tying with the New York Giants for the 11th-most in the NFL. With Burrow’s well-documented injury history dating back to his LSU days, reinforcing the offensive line remains a critical need.
According to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, the Bengals’ offensive line depth is under the microscope. During a recent practice, backups Cody Ford and Devin Cochran were seen taking first-team reps while starting right tackle Amarius Mims sat out due to a hand injury.
And it’s not just the reserves drawing concern. Cincinnati is poised to start third-round rookie Dylan Fairchild at left guard, further highlighting the unit’s inexperience.
“Beyond the uncertainty surrounding rookie Dylan Fairchild — currently leading the race to start at left guard — the lack of experienced depth behind the starting tackles is alarming,” Dehner wrote. “If the Bengals had to face the Browns this Sunday without Mims, they couldn’t definitively name his replacement.”
Meanwhile, the Bengals’ defensive line — which lacks elite pass-rushers — has routinely disrupted plays in practice, exposing the offensive line’s vulnerability. Dehner added, “Despite the team’s talent-rich offense, the glaring weakness up front is hard to ignore.”
This imbalance may be a product of the team’s decision to invest heavily in pass-catching talent for Burrow rather than beefing up his protection. While the strategy makes sense considering the offensive potential, it could backfire if the offensive line can’t keep Burrow upright — especially if injuries mount during the season.
In short, while the Bengals’ offensive firepower is undeniable, a fragile and unproven offensive line could be the Achilles’ heel of a team with championship aspirations.
