5 Cincinnati Bengals Players Facing High Pressure Entering 2021 Season
The Cincinnati Bengals enter the NFL's toughest division following a 4-11-1 season, but their young core holds significant potential. Here are the five Bengals players facing the most pressure in 2021:
- Trey Hendrickson
- Signed $60M/4-year contract with $15M in 2021
- Coming off career year: 13.5 sacks, 25 tackles with Saints
- Must justify being among NFL's highest-paid pass rushers
- Expected to anchor Bengals' defensive line
- Joe Burrow
- First overall pick in 2020
- On pace for 4,300 yards before Week 11 ACL injury
- Returns with improved supporting cast
- Expected to perform among top NFL quarterbacks
- Ja'Marr Chase
- Fifth overall pick in 2021
- Former LSU teammate of Burrow
- Joins receiving corps that produced 1,749 yards in 2020
- High expectations due to draft position and college success
- D.J. Reader
- Signed $53M/4-year deal in 2020
- Season-ending quad injury in Week 5
- Specializes in run defense (6.5 sacks in 66 career games)
- $20.25M guaranteed requires strong performance
- Joe Mixon
- Entering first year of new 4-year contract
- Two 1,000+ yard seasons before 2020 injury
- Benefits from improved passing attack
- Must return to 1,000-yard form to justify contract
These players' performances will be crucial for the Bengals to compete in the AFC North and improve upon their 2020 record.
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