Bengals Face Key Decisions After Missing Playoffs

Backup quarterback Jake Browning steps up in Joe Burrow's absence, but team struggles in other areas.

Despite losing franchise quarterback Joe Burrow to a wrist injury in November, the Cincinnati Bengals managed to stay in playoff contention until the final weeks of the season, largely due to the performance of backup quarterback Jake Browning.
Browning, who started the team’s final seven games, finished the year with 1,936 passing yards, 12 touchdown passes and seven interceptions, and a 4-3 record in his starts.
The Bengals, however, struggled in other areas, particularly in running the ball and stopping the run, and had communication problems among their young defensive backs.
The team now faces decisions on several unrestricted free agents, including Browning, receivers Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, nose tackle D.J. Reader, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and tackle Jonah Williams.
Joe Burrow, who had surgery to repair the torn ligament in his wrist, expects to be able to start throwing again in a couple of months and should be ready for OTAs in May and June.