Looking back just a couple years ago to 2021/2022, I would have laughed in your face if you told me the Bengals in 2024 would be 4-7 and essentially out of the playoff hunt by week 11 with:

- A healthy Joe Burrow leading the NFL in TDs & yards with only 4 interceptions.

- A healthy Jamar Chase leading the NFL in TDs, yards, and receptions.

- A solid 2nd year running back with homerun ability in both run and pass game.

- An intermittently healthy Tee Higgins that is outstanding when healthy.

- Trey Hendrickson leading the league in sacks and having an all-pro year.

- A secondary with a lot of 1st and 2nd round talent anchored by veterans like Vonn Bell and Mike Hilton.

- A linebacker unit of a healthy Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt.

It makes no sense. Few teams had the potential of the Bengals just a couple years ago. It just shows the monumental incompetence of our front office to go from our 2021/2022 high to a non-playoff contender with this roster and the above reality. They constantly mishandle contracts, make terrible free agent/roster moves (or lack thereof), and completely whiff on draft picks. Other organizations seem to have no issues reloading, even during major roster changes like new QBs (Pit, GB, Minn) or even when transitioning from a QB on a rookie deal to one with a massive contract (KC, Balt, Det, LAC, Buff, Phi). So, I know it's possible to sustain success in the NFL, even when you have a quarterback with a massive cap hit or have to reshuffle the roster. It just takes a competent and smart front office and coaching staff - which the Bengals do not have.