The 2023 season was the Cincinnati Bengals' 54th season in the National Football League (NFL), their 56th overall and their fifth under head coach Zac Taylor. The Bengals failed to match their 12–4 record from 2022 after a 34–20 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in week 11. With a Week 17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, coupled with wins by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills earlier in the day, the Bengals were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2020.
Already struggling to a 5–4 start, the Bengals were dealt a critical blow in week 11 when they lost franchise quarterback Joe Burrow for the season to a wrist injury. Despite this, backup Jake Browning managed to perform above expectations, as the team went 8–6 and were still in the playoff picture. However, back to back losses to the Steelers and Chiefs kept the Bengals out of the playoff picture. This was the first season since 2008 that Kevin Huber was not on the roster, as he announced his retirement on July 7.
A 31–14 home win over the Browns to end the season gave the Bengals their 9th win of the season, meaning that every team in the AFC North finished above .500, the first time a division in the NFL had done this since 1935.
The Cincinnati Bengals drew an average home attendance of 66,040 in 9 home games in the 2023 NFL season.
Offseason Free agents
Unrestricted Position Player 2023 Team Date signed Contract S Jessie Bates III Atlanta Falcons March 13 4 years, $64 million S Vonn Bell Carolina Panthers March 13 3 years, $22.5 million CB Eli AppleMiami DolphinsJuly 291 year, $1.6 million TE Hayden HurstCarolina PanthersMarch 153 years, $21.75 million CB Tre Flowers Atlanta Falcons May 8 1 year, $1.232 million RB Samaje Perine Denver Broncos March 14 2 years, $7.5 million QB Brandon Allen San Francisco 49ers May 3 1 year, $1.232 million TE Drew SampleCincinnati BengalsApril 141 year, $1.232 million LS Clark Harris G Max ScharpingCincinnati BengalsMarch 201 year, $1.28 million S Michael Thomas Cincinnati Bengals March 13 1 year, $1.165 million WR Trent TaylorCincinnati BengalsMarch 271 year, $1.232 million CB Jalen Davis Cincinnati Bengals March 9 2 years, $2.43 million LB Germaine Pratt Cincinnati Bengals March 14 3 years, $20.25 million CB Chris LammonsIndianapolis ColtsJuly 271 year, $1.01 million RB Trayveon WilliamsCincinnati BengalsMarch 16 1 year, $1.232 million
Restricted Position Player 2023 Team Date signed Contract LB Joe Bachie Cincinnati Bengals March 9 1 year, $1.16 million
Exclusive rights Position Player 2023 Team Date signed Contract LS Cal Adomitis Cincinnati Bengals February 22 1 year, $870k LB Clay Johnston TE Mitchell WilcoxCincinnati BengalsJuly 241 year, $1.04 million
Signings Position Player 2022 Team Date signed ContractGCody FordArizona CardinalsMarch 161 year, $1.08 millionOTOrlando Brown Jr.Kansas City ChiefsMarch 174 years, $64.09 millionSNick ScottLos Angeles RamsMarch 203 years, $12 millionCBSidney JonesLas Vegas RaidersMarch 271 year, $1.13 millionTEIrv Smith Jr.Minnesota VikingsMarch 281 year, $1.75 millionDETarell BashamTennessee TitansMarch 311 year, $1.131 millionQBTrevor SiemianChicago BearsMay 31 year, $1.317 millionQBReid SinnettSan Antonio Brahmas (XFL)July 301 year, $870K
Draft
+ 2023 Cincinnati Bengals draft selections Round Selection Player Position College Notes 1 28 Myles Murphy DE Clemson 2 60 DJ Turner CB Michigan 3 92 Traded to the Kansas City Chiefs 95 Jordan Battle S Alabama From Chiefs 4 131 Charlie Jones WR Purdue 5 163 Chase Brown RB Illinois 6 206 Andrei Iosivas WR Princeton 217 Brad Robbins P Michigan From Chiefs 7 246 D. J. Ivey CB Miami (FL)
+ 2023 Cincinnati Bengals undrafted free agents Name Position College Ref. Larry Brooks S Tulane Malachi Carter WR Georgia Tech Shaka Heyward LB Duke Mac Hippenhammer WR Miami (OH) Shedrick Jackson WR Auburn Jaxson Kirkland G Washington Devonnsha Maxwell DT Chattanooga Jaylen Moody LB Alabama Tyler Murray LB Memphis Tautala Pesefea DT Arizona State Jacob Saylors RB E. Tennessee Christian Trahan TE Houston Calvin Tyler Jr. RB Kentucky
Draft trades
Staff
Final roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 Green Bay Packers L 19–36 0–1 Paycor Stadium Recap 2 at Atlanta Falcons T 13–13 0–1–1 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap 3 at Washington Commanders L 19–21 0–2–1 Fedex Field Recap
Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 10 at Cleveland Browns L 3–24 0–1 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 2 September 17 Baltimore Ravens L 24–27 0–2 Paycor Stadium Recap 3 Los Angeles Rams W 19–16 1–2 Paycor Stadium Recap 4 October 1 at Tennessee Titans L 3–27 1–3 Nissan Stadium Recap 5 October 8 at Arizona Cardinals W 34–20 2–3 State Farm Stadium Recap 6 October 15 Seattle Seahawks W 17–13 3–3 Paycor Stadium Recap 7 Bye 8 October 29 at San Francisco 49ers W 31–17 4–3 Levi's Stadium Recap 9 November 5 Buffalo Bills W 24–18 5–3 Paycor Stadium Recap 10 November 12 Houston Texans L 27–30 5–4 Paycor Stadium Recap 11 at Baltimore Ravens L 20–34 5–5 M&T Bank Stadium Recap 12 November 26 Pittsburgh Steelers L 10–16 5–6 Paycor Stadium Recap 13 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 34–31 6–6 EverBank Stadium Recap 14 December 10 Indianapolis Colts W 34–14 7–6 Paycor Stadium Recap 15 Minnesota Vikings W 27–24 8–6 Paycor Stadium Recap 16 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 11–34 8–7 Acrisure Stadium Recap 17 December 31 at Kansas City Chiefs L 17–25 8–8 Arrowhead Stadium Recap 18 January 7 Cleveland Browns W 31–14 9–8 Paycor Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries Week 1: at Cleveland Browns The Bengals opened the season on the road with an AFC North matchup against the in-state rival Cleveland Browns, marking the 100th meeting between the two franchises.
The Browns defense dominated the game, forcing ten Cincinnati punts including seven three-and-outs, and limiting the Bengals offense to six first downs. Quarterback Joe Burrow was limited to a career-low 82 passing yards. Joe Mixon led the Bengals' rushing attack with 13 carries for 56 yards. Defensively, the Bengals allowed Quarterback Deshaun Watson 154 passing yards, 45 rushing yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown, a 55.2% completion percentage and one interception, and Nick Chubb's 106 rushing yards on 18 carries. Kicker Dustin Hopkins converted all three of his field goal attempts. The Bengals' lone score came on an Evan McPherson field goal, as he failed to connect on his second field goal attempt.
With the loss, the Bengals opened the season 0–1 for the second consecutive year.
Week 2: vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Bengals were upset at home against their division rival. With their second straight loss, the Bengals dropped to 0-2 for the second straight season. They were the only AFC North team without any victories following their game.
Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Rams
In a rematch of Super Bowl LVI, the Bengals got revenge on the Rams, winning the game to get their first victory of the regular season.
Week 4: at Tennessee Titans
This would mark the first time Joe Burrow lost to the Titans, ending a 3-game winning streak (including playoffs) against the team. With the loss, the Bengals fell to 1–3.
Week 5: at Arizona Cardinals
The Bengals recorded their first road win against the Cardinals.
Week 6: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 8: at San Francisco 49ers
With the win, the Bengals improved to 4–3 and swept the NFC West.
Week 9: vs. Buffalo Bills
In a rematch of the 2022 AFC Divisional Round, the Bengals continued their winning streak by defeating a Buffalo team that struggled their way to a 5–3 record before this important Week 9 contest. Cincinnati struck first on their opening drive on a touchdown pass from Burrow to tight end Irv Smith Jr. Buffalo would respond with a two-yard touchdown run by quarterback Josh Allen on their opening drive, but the Bengals would then score 14 unanswered points (which came on a Mixon touchdown run and a Burrow touchdown pass to tight end Drew Sample) before halftime. In the second half, Cincinnati's offense could not get much going against Buffalo's injury-riddled defense, but Cincinnati's defense prevented Buffalo's offense from fully erasing the deficit. Buffalo would eventually cut Cincy's lead to six points on an 17-yard Allen touchdown pass to star wide receiver Stefon Diggs (and a successful two-point conversion from Allen to Diggs), but the Bengals ran out the clock on their next possession. Before the game, Damar Hamlin walked on the field and reflected on where he was when collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest earlier in the year.
Week 10: vs. Houston Texans
Week 11: at Baltimore Ravens
In addition to losing the game, the Bengals suffered a devastating blow when QB Joe Burrow suffered a wrist injury in the 2nd quarter; it was later revealed to be season-ending.
Week 12: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 13: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 14: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 15: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 16: at Pittsburgh Steelers
After a tough win at home, the Bengals traveled to Pittsburgh for Round 2 against the Steelers. Heading into halftime, they fell behind 24–0 before finally scoring in the third quarter when Jake Browning found Tee Higgins on an 80-yard touchdown pass (with a successful two-point conversion), making the score 24–8. They fell behind 31–8 after Mason Rudolph found George Pickens on a 66-yard touchdown pass for the Steelers to increase their lead. The Bengals managed to somewhat shorten their deficit 31-11 when Evan McPherson kicked a 35-yard field goal. They would be kept from scoring the whole fourth quarter as the Steelers scored one last time off of Chris Boswell's 30-yard field goal to make the final score 34–11.
With their 3-game winning streak snapped, the Bengals fell to 8–7. They would also be swept by the Steelers for the first time since 2019.
Week 17: at Kansas City Chiefs
After a tough road loss, the Bengals traveled to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs. The Bengals scored first in the first quarter when Evan McPherson kicked a 34-yard field goal for a 3–0 lead. The Chiefs then took the lead when Patrick Mahomes found Isiah Pacheco on an 8-yard touchdown pass to make it 7–3. In the second quarter, the Bengals were able to move up by 10, making the score 17–7 by way of Jake Browning's 8-yard touchdown pass to Joe Mixon, followed by his own QB sneak touchdown. Though, the Chiefs were able to make it 17–13 by way of 2 field goals kicked by Harrison Butker from 54 and 43 yards out. In the second half, it was all Chiefs scoring as Butker kicked 4 more field goals to make the final score 25–17. On the Bengals final drive, they converted a 4th and 18 at their own 32-yard line, but following two sacks to Jake Browning pushing them back to their own 38-yard line, and facing 4th and 27, Browning's throw to Tee Higgins fell incomplete, sealing the loss.
With their second straight loss, the Bengals fell to 8-8. Coupled with wins by the Steelers and Bills, they were also eliminated from postseason contention. The Steelers' win over the Seahawks also assures they will finish last place in the AFC North.
Week 18: vs. Cleveland Browns
With the Browns resting most of their starters for this game due to being locked into the 5-seed of the AFC Playoffs, the Bengals took full advantage with a 31–14 blowout win. The Bengals improved and finished the regular season at 9–8, meaning that every team in the AFC North finished above .500, marking the first time each team within an entire division finished the regular season with winning records since 1935. The win also prevented the Bengals from getting swept by all their division rivals.
Standings Division
Conference
References
External links