Cincy Jungle
There are Bengals fans who want them to lose out to better their draft position. Don’t be that kind of fan. As Lance McAlister says, “If winning doesn’t matter now, when will it ever matter?”
Winning always matters. That’s why you play the game. Joe Burrow knows that. That’s why he’s returning, despite the Bengals sitting at 3-8.
Nonetheless, the Bengals currently sit No. 8 in the NFL Draft order ahead of Week 13.
Here’s something else to consider when it comes to what changes the Bengals will make this offseason. Keep in mind, the Bengals have a higher standard in this era than they did in the previous era.
Think of the most cathartic seasons in Bengals’ history. The two that immediately come to mind are 2005 and 2021. But the difference between those seasons is what the Bengals did in the playoffs.
In 2005, they lost in the Wild Card round to the Steelers. We all know what they did in 2021.
Because of what they did in 2021, the Bengals’ front office knows what the standard is. The standard should be the Super Bowl and winning it. A third straight season not being close to it, I believe, would be cause for sweeping changes.
This season, it is clear that the Bengals aren’t close to getting back to the Super Bowl. The front office thought they were after the last two seasons, but this season revealed the state of the team and organization.
Draft picks can certainly help get back to the Super Bowl, but rooting for the Bengals to lose out to better their draft position is not something any fan should do.
