Strictly Stripes: A Cincinnati Bengals podcast

Are Lou Anarumo's worst fears going to come true? At first glance, the Bengals' defensive depth chart isn't much different from last year's 2022 roster. Aside from losing their starting safeties, which was a "dark day" for Anarumo, the Bengals bring back all of their other defensive starters from last year not including current free agent Eli Apple. However, there were a lot of shortcomings and concerns that could be compounded if things aren't addressed in next month's NFL Draft. Did the Bengals not do enough defensively in free agent to address those concerns? As things stand with their active roster, will they be better, worse or the same as last year moving into 2023? The Strictly Stripes Podcast answers those questions and does a position-by-position ranking of the entire Bengals' defense and assess if things are heading north or south for Cincinnati's defense. This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek. Music: Starfields by Hallman Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL season is still just under six months away, but there's never too early of a time to look at the Bengals' depth chart. Cincinnati is posed to bring back many of the same playmakers from 2022 with some very new faces sprinkled in between. There's still much to be settled in next month's NFL Draft as well. However, regardless of what the draft holds for the Bengals, are they in good enough shape to remain contenders in 2023? The Strictly Stripes crew does a very early look ahead what the Bengals depth chart looks like, how well each offensive position group is set up and what that could look like in 2023. This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad and Andrew Gillis. Music: Starfields by Hallman Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is there a changing of the guard in the AFC North? Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson wants out of Baltimore after he's been unable to land a deal with the team. Other teams are yet to entertain any offers but if they do, Jackson could be on his out of the division. With the Bengals trying to follow up on their back-to-back division titles, how much of an advantage does this give them? Is there even an advantage to be had? Bengals QB Joe Burrow is also set to receive his own extension in the future. Meanwhile, what can the Bengals apply and learn from Jackson's situation to Burrow's? The Cleveland Browns are also on the rise after a splash of free agent moves this offseason. Deshaun Watson isn't going anywhere in the meantime so Jackson's potential departure could shift the power rankings in the division. The Strictly Stripes crew weighs in on the indirect and even direct impact a Jackson departure would have on the Bengals in 2023. This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad and Andrew Gillis. Music: Starfields by Hallman Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Draft season is upon us. With almost exact a month to go before the NFL Draft, the Bengals will now focus on getting their draft boards together and planning for the future in Cincinnati. The way the Bengals navigated this free agency is a sign that their future will be built in contrast to how things have been done in the last few years of the Joe Burrow era. Cincinnati's moves, like Germaine Pratt's extension and the Orlando Brown Jr. signing, will also have major implications for the future. The Strictly Stripes crew wraps up the month of March and looks ahead to the coming days and weeks of draft season in Cincinnati. This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad and Andrew Gillis. Music: Starfields by Hallman Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The competitiveness of the AFC North lives even in the offseason. When the Ravens, Bengals, Steelers and Browns aren't busy battling each other in the regular season for a divisional title, they're busy working to outbuild one another. All four teams have been making moves to fight for the right to win the AFC North next season. The Bengals, who are seeing their third consecutive divisional title for the first time in franchise history, will have to go against a Browns team that has loaded up with no shortage of signings and trades. But where do each of these teams stand against their rivals from Pittsburgh and Baltimore? The Strictly Stripes crew evaluates the current landscape of the AFC North and looks at which team has an advantage over who. They're joined by special guest and Browns Insider Mary Kay Cabot who breaks down where things stand. This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and special guest Mary Kay Cabot. Music: Starfields by Hallman Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will the Bengals trade Jonah Williams? According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, there is interest across the league for a player like Williams. Historically, the Bengals trading away players is rare, especially of Williams' caliber. But will the Bengals take a similar course of action like they did back in 2021 when they traded away center Billy Price to the Giants for B.J. Hill? Or will they even try to trade away draft capital that will help them win immediately in 2023? Not only could a Williams move affect the Bengals' draft prospects, but it can significantly alter what happens with the No. 28 overall pick in next month's NFL Draft. The Strictly Stripes crew looks at all the different possibilities and ways that the Bengals could move around Williams if they decide to do so. They also look at how that would shape up the NFL Draft. This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad and Andrew Gillis. Music: Starfields by Hallman Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lot has changed over the last week for the Cincinnati Bengals. After signing Orlando Brown and Nick Scott, on top of re-signing other players in-house, the Bengals' latest positional needs have changed. While tackle is still a question mark following Jonah Williams' trade request, areas like linebacker and wide receiver are firmly set for 2023. Other departures like Samaje Perine's for example have changed up the running back room. That becomes an even higher area of need with the draft over a month away. The Strictly Stripes crew re-ranks the Bengals' positions of need and takes a look at other unsigned free agents the Bengals can try to retain or go after. This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek. Music: Starfields by Hallman Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nick Scott is officially a Cincinnati Bengal. He was introduced on Monday after his signing was official. The Bengals will look to turn to him in the secondary as he'll help fill the void left by Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell who both left in free agency. He'll join forces with Dax Hill who will get his first true taste as a safety in the NFL. Much like the Bengals did with Bell, the Bengals waited out much of the first week of free agency before landing Scott on his new three-year deal. Although he's played four seasons in the NFL, last year was his first full season as a starter. Now, the Bengals will see what year two as a starter will bring for Scott and the secondary. The Strictly Stripes crew talks about what separates Scott and how he'll make an impact for the Bengals. They also grade the Bengals' free agency moves up to this point after a week. This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek. Music: Starfields by Hallmam Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The a few more costs to the bill were added after the Cincinnati Bengals signed Orlando Brown Jr. Left tackle Jonah Williams has requested a trade following reports that indicated the Bengals wanted to move him to right tackle in favor of having Brown Jr. at left tackle. Williams has one year left on his current deal worth $12.6 million but there's no guarantee he'll be a Bengal for that final year. Historically, the Bengals have balked at such requests but that hasn't always been the case, such as when center Billy Price was traded to the Giants for current Bengals' defensive tackle B.J. Hill. With the draft over a month away though, the Bengals have to figure out if trading Williams or coming to a compromise is the way to go. The Strictly Stripes podcast weighs in on what the Bengals' outlook on Williams look like. With Brown Jr. now officially a Bengal, they talk about why the Bengals won big with his acquisition and what that means for other free agents looking ahead. This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek. Music: Starfields by Hallman Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cincinnati Bengals are sailing in the right direction. After inking two more linemen in free agency, particularly Orlando Brown Jr., the Bengals have set themselves up for the rest of free agency and the draft. Now that the offensive line is mostly settled, they can use their draft capital as flexibly as they want moving forward throughout the offseason. The Bengals still need to address their needs at the safety position with the departures of Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell. With Hayden Hurst leaving for Carolina, and the uncertainty behind free agents Mitchell Wilcox and Drew Sample, tight end become another area of emphasis. The Strictly Stripes crew discuss and debates what the No. 28 overall pick looks like in light of the recent signings. They also lay out the rest of what the offseason could look like from here. This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek. Music: Starfields by Hallman Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices