What did the Bengals change this offseason before both of their 2024 matchups vs. the Browns?

CLEVELAND, Ohio — With the start of the Browns season only two months away, we’re looking at each of the teams they will play this season in schedule order.

As I’ve done each of the past couple of years, I’ll look at the biggest changes for each team and what it means for their matchup vs. the Browns.

Today’s look is at the Browns’ first divisional opponent on the schedule: the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns will host the Bengals in Week 7 and travel to Cincinnati in Week 16.

The Bengals finished last in the AFC North at 9-8 as Joe Burrow missed the final seven games due to a wrist injury. They also lost a couple of key pieces who were part of the team’s Super Bowl run in 2021, including running back Joe Mixon and wide receiver Tyler Boyd.

Burrow’s health is the biggest question mark this season surrounding this team. But on a positive note for the Bengals, Tee Higgins signed his franchise tender, meaning he will stay in Cincinnati at least thru this season.

Here is a look at the Bengals offseason.

Check out links to other editions of this series at the bottom of this post.

Fanatics SportsbookUP TO $1,000BET MATCH BONUS

CLAIM OFFER

Must be 21 . GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ, CO, IL, IN, KY, MI, NC, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV); (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT); 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA); (800) 327-5050 or gamblinghelpline.org (MA), mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1800gambler.net (WV)

Biggest addition: S Geno Stone

This was one I wrestled with because there were many good options. I liked the signing of Zack Moss as a one-year option at running back, and Sheldon Rankins and Trent Brown are good veteran pickups on their respective lines.

But for me, I’ll go with Stone because of the double whammy of the Bengals getting stronger at the expense of their division rival in the Ravens.

Stone trailed only DaRon Bland of the Cowboys in interceptions last season as he picked off seven passes for Baltimore. That ball-hawking ability should help shore up a defense that allowed the fifth-most passing yards last season (248.4 yards per game) and was the worst in yards allowed per attempt (7.1). He also provides a safety blanket for young Cincinnati corners DJ Turner II and Cam Taylor-Britt.

Biggest subtraction: DT DJ Reader

As good as Joe Burrow was in 2021, you could argue that the Bengals defense was the unsung hero of their Super Bowl run. Reader was a huge part of that because of his ability to clog up the run defensively.

But that run-stopping presence is gone after he joined the Lions on a two-year deal worth $27.5 million.

In each of his last three seasons in Cincinnati, Reader had a Pro Football Focus grade against the run of at least 73 and an overall grade of 80 or better. The Bengals were third worst in terms of yards allowed per rush (4.7) and losing Reader won’t help improve that.

Best draft pick: OT Amarius Mims

Of the top offensive tackle prospects in this year’s class, Mims was as physically imposing as any of them. He is simply massive at 6-8, 340 pounds. But he moves very well, which made him well worth the 18th pick.

However, Mims will need some refinement before he’s ready to step into a full-time role. That’s what made the Bengals a good landing spot because the presences of Orlando Brown Jr. and Trent Brown.

They will allow Mims the time he needs to develop into a long-term solution at tackle.

What it means in their matchups vs. the Browns

Arguably the biggest thing the Bengals did was keep Tee Higgins around for at least one more season. Although there are questions about whether the Bengals can keep him and Ja’Marr Chase in 2025, the fact that both are still there in 2024 means the Bengals will be a problem once again.

They switched out Jonah Williams for Trent Brown, ensuring solid stopgap play at right tackle while Amarius Mims develops. That retooling up front makes a ton of sense for Cincinnati considering Burrow has had two season-ending injuries in four seasons and the fact that each of their division rivals have great pass rushes.

I like what the Bengals did by bringing in Stone and Vonn Bell at safety. They lost Jessie Bates III after the 2022 season and the secondary struggled without him. Those security blankets in the secondary will make things a little more difficult for Deshaun Watson in the passing game.

A healthy Burrow could ensure more track meets, and the Bengals seem better prepared for it than a year ago.

Catch up on the series

• Dallas Cowboys, Week 1
• Jacksonville Jaguars, Week 2
• New York Giants, Week 3
• Las Vegas Raiders, Week 4
• Washington Commanders, Week 5
• Philadelphia Eagles, Week 6