The Cincinnati Bengals have a ton of star power on their roster, including Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. However, not every significant player is a star; the Bengals have a number of important players who are underappreciated nationally. Nonetheless, just because they aren’t making news nationally doesn’t mean that their admirers, particularly in Cincinnati, don’t value them.
That said, let’s take a look at three Bengals players who are underappreciated but have a lot of potential to contribute next season.
Trenton Irwin, Wide receiver
There are still some major questions at wide receiver for the Bengals. Tyler Boyd is a free agent and Tee Higgins requested a trade away from the team. Assuming that at least one of those guys isn’t back next season, Trenton Irwin could be in line for a larger load. The Bengals re-signed Irwin to a one-year deal this offseason, likely with that possibility in mind.
Irwin has spent the previous five seasons with the Bengals, but his impact has been limited playing behind the likes of Boyd, Higggins and Ja’Marr Chase. He has compiled a total of 43 receptions for 586 yards and five touchdowns over the course of his career. Now, he might finally get a chance to step out of the shadows.
Chase is going to be the team’s clear No. 1, but things are a bit murky after that, and Irwin could get a real opportunity as a result. If he can take advantage of it, he could be poised for his most productive season as a pro.
Chase Brown, Running back
The Bengals will look different at the running back position next season. Joe Mixon is now a member of the Houston Texans, and Cincinnati brought in Zack Moss to replace him. There will also likely be an increased workload for second-year back Chase Brown, who had just 44 attempts for 179 yards as a rookie.
Moss is projected to be the starter, but it remains to be seen how the carries will be split between he and Brown. However, offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher did confirm that the teamplans to utilize a timeshare approach in the backfield.
“It’s definitely going to be collaborative,” Pitcher said. “You look across the league at that position anymore, and I think you’re best off when you’re sharing the workload with multiple people. Whether it’s two, three, four people. Everybody kind of fills their role. We’ll figure it out, but it comes back to what I’ve been saying all offseason. ‘What’s it going to take this week?'”
It certainly sounds like the opportunity will be there for Brown to have a breakout season of sorts, he just needs to capitalize on it.
