Bengals Notebook: Zac Taylor’s Relaxed Approach, Replacing Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell, Burrow Bombs

Easy does it is the motto for the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason. After their Super Bowl run two seasons ago, head coach Zac Taylor deployed a scaled-back offseason program. Taylor cut two weeks off the team’s offseason program last year to allow his players some extra rest in a historically short offseason. It worked out for Taylor and the Bengals, who were strong down the stretch last year. Cincinnati had a small amount of the usual wear and tear and soft tissue injuries last season. They also won eight straight to close the regular season.

Their strong second half propelled them to an AFC North division title. It worked so well; Zac Taylor is running it back this offseason, according to multiple reports from Bengals camp.

Bengals taking a different approach to the offseason program

NFL teams are allowed up to 10 practices during the three-phase offseason program. Most teams will reserve a few of them for mandatory minicamp this month. The Bengals only scheduled six practices of the allotted 10.

They’re not alone there. The New York Jets canceled their mandatory minicamp, citing rest before an early start to training camp and the preseason. However, there are more specific details that Taylor and the Bengals are focusing on during their offseason program. In April, the Bengals’ offseason program’s first phase consisted of only strength and conditioning drills. That way, no one who opted not to report to the voluntary practices would fall behind the rest of the team regarding the schematic work on the field.

The Bengals have also placed an emphasis on team-building and mental work during their practices. According to SI’s Albert Breer, 11-on-11 work is done at a walk-through pace, with only 20 plays of 7-on-7 work at full speed in each practice, giving the big men a better chance to be fresh going into the summer.

The response has been precisely what Zac Taylor wanted: maximum participation and buy-in from his roster. Save for Jonah Williams, who is rehabbing and has requested a trade, and Tyler Boyd, who chose to spend some time with his family, everyone has been in the building since the start of Phase I of the offseason program. Even Boyd has since reported, leaving Williams as the only non-participant.

Taylor is fostering a culture in Cincinnati that allows his players to be treated like adults and give him 100 percent when the time comes to work. The returns from the players have been promising.

Replacing Jessie Bates and Von Bell

Bengals safety Dax Hill didn’t play a snap until October 9 last season despite being Cincinnati’s first-round pick in 2022. When the Bengals stumbled out of the gates last season, people asked why not? The Athletic’s Jay Morrison recalled a moment during the infancy of the 2022 season in which Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo snapped back at that question:

“That kid will get in when I feel it’s the right time, the right place, in the right role, in the right game, and that’s how that’s gonna go,” Anarumo said.

Anarumo offered the method to his madness in slow-rolling the first-rounder. It was mainly due to the importance of keeping Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell together at the back of the Bengals’ secondary Anarumo compared Bates and Bell to a middle-infield tandem in baseball. One in which they could turn double plays with effortless synchronization. Anarumo placed immense value on his safety duo’s chemistry.

With Bates and Bell departed, Dax Hill and other young defensive backs have big shoes to fill in 2023.

Anarumo and the Bengals will turn to the trio of Dax Hill, Nick Scott, and third-round pick Jordan Battle this season. Hill played sparingly in 2022 save for 167 snaps on special teams. When he did play, he wasn’t hugely effective. Hill logged one pass breakup and allowed two touchdowns in coverage. However, the Bengals coaching staff has plenty of faith in the 2022 first-rounder.

Nick Scott comes to the Bengals as a free agent this offseason with four seasons of experience with the Rams. Scott logged 56 tackles and two interceptions with the Rams last season. Anarumo will also get rookie Jordan Battle involved. The Bengals took Battle in the third round; however, many had the former Alabama DB graded as a late first, early second-round pick throughout the pre-draft process.

Keeping an eye on how that group comes together will be on my list of things to do during training camp. Trying to replicate the chemistry that Bates and Bell provided will be vital to the Bengals’ defense this season.

Burrow Bombs

Joe Burrow and the Bengals took in a Cincinnati Reds game this week and took part in some pre-game batting practice. Not surprisingly, Burrow was good at that too. The Bengals QB smashed four home runs during BP.

written by

Patrick grew up in Chicago's Bridgeport and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods before moving to the Western Suburbs of Chicago before eventually relocating to the Las Vegas area with his family in 2023. He started with Bleacher Nation in 2021 and has spent time as a Staff Writer and on the Chicago Blackhawks beat. He is currently a writer and editor at Bleacher Nation covering the Chicago Bears and the NFL at large and the author of the Bleacher Nation Newsletter. Patrick is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).

more nfl news

Prioritizing the Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft: Top 5 Positions to Address

The Seattle Seahawks overachieved in 2023 by all accounts and missed out on a playoff spot by just one game. They’ve since said farewell to legendary coach Pete Carroll and welcomed in a new regime led by Mike MacDonald. Seattle...

Buffalo Bills 1st Round Mock Draft: Wild Crossroads at 28 – Offense or Defense?

The Buffalo Bills stand at a crossroads. The 2024 NFL Draft looms, and the 28th pick presents a fascinating dilemma. This Buffalo Bills 1st Round Mock Draft analyzes 10 different options that could be available to them at their current...

Las Vegas Raiders Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

The Las Vegas Raiders have injected a wave of optimism into Raider Nation with their offseason maneuvers. General Manager Tom Telesco has been busy addressing key needs while setting the stage for potential further improvements. Las Vegas Raiders Offseason Recap...

Los Angeles Chargers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

The Los Angeles Chargers enter the offseason with a new era dawning. After a disappointing season, they landed a marquee hire in Jim Harbaugh, fresh off his national championship win with Michigan. Hailed as the top coaching prospect, Harbaugh brings a...

Seattle Seahawks Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

The Seattle Seahawks turn the page on a historic era as they enter the 2024 season without Pete Carroll at the helm for the first time since 2010. Carroll's impact on the franchise is undeniable, crafting a period of sustained...

Prioritizing the Los Angeles Chargers NFL Draft: Top 5 Positions to Address

The Los Angeles Chargers’ 2023 didn’t go as planned and as a result, they fired head coach Brandon Staley with just 3 games remaining. However, they landed the offseason's most coveted NFL coaching candidate Jim Harbaugh, and have begun the...

Prioritizing the Los Angeles Rams NFL Draft: Top 5 Positions to Address

The Los Angeles Rams ended the 2023 season as hot as any team in the NFL. They won 7 of their last 8 games to sneak into the playoffs and almost pulled off a first-round upset of the Detroit Lions....

Connor Allen’s NFL Mock Draft 2.0: J.J. McCarthy’s Draft Stock Continues to Skyrocket

The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us, a time filled with anticipation, speculation, and hopeful declarations of a team's newfound future. This 2024 NFL Mock Draft focuses on accuracy over player evaluations. With the free agency frenzy settled war room...

San Francisco 49ers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

The San Francisco 49ers return to the drawing board after their heartbreaking Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite the sting of defeat, the future remains bright. Brock Purdy's emergence as a legitimate MVP candidate and the return...

Prioritizing the Arizona Cardinals NFL Draft: Top 5 Positions to Address

The Arizona Cardinals finished 2023 tied with the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots for the 2nd worst record in the NFL at 4-13. It was just the first year under head coach Jonathan Gannon however, and they did show...

Latest News

MVC Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | April 2

There is one game on the postseason college basketball schedule on Tuesday that feature MVC squads, and we have best bets recomendations. That matchup is the Utah Utes versus the Indiana State Sycamores.How to Bet on MVC Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best...

Pac-12 Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | April 2

There is one game featuring a Pac-12 teams on the Tuesday postseason college basketball schedule, the Utah Utes versus the Indiana State Sycamores. Make sure you check out below for today's best bets!How to Bet on Pac-12 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best...

Marlins vs. Pirates: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

In their season opener on Friday, Andrew Jacob Puk will take the mound for the Miami Marlins against Martin Perez and the Pittsburgh Pirates, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 PM ET at LoanDepot park.See how to watch the Miami-Pittsburgh...

Warriors vs. Hornets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Golden State Warriors (38-34) hit the court against the Charlotte Hornets (18-54) as double-digit, 11.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under of 218 points.Dig into the best bets...

Pacers vs. Lakers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers (41-32) are 2.5-point underdogs as they look to extend a five-game win streak when they visit the Indiana Pacers (41-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The game airs at 7:00 PM ET on...

Clippers vs. Magic Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Los Angeles Clippers (45-27) are slightly favored (by 1 point) to continue a three-game road win streak when they visit the Orlando Magic (42-30) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET. The point total in the matchup...

Wizards vs. Pistons Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Detroit Pistons (12-61) are slight underdogs (by 2.5 points) to stop a five-game road losing streak when they visit the Washington Wizards (14-59) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM ET. The over/under is 229 in the matchup.Check...

Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

How to Watch Braves vs. Phillies: Live Stream or on TV

Spencer Strider will take the mound for the Atlanta Braves when they square off against starter Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia Phillies in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 3:05 PM ET.The article below will provide you...

more nfl news