If Cincinnati wants to contend for a Super Bowl next season, it needs to address a…

A 9-8 record used to be considered decent, if not solid. But those times are over for Cincinnati Bengals supporters. And buried, hopefully. It’s Joe Burrow’s nation now, and a Super Bowl appearance is the least that can be expected.

A squad that was hoping to win the Super Bowl barely broke for a variety of reasons. 500, and the most of them included injuries, including those to DJ Reader and Burrow.

However, the 2023 campaign is now in the past, and if the Bengals want to reclaim their former grandeur, adjustments must be made. There are gaps that must be addressed, some of which should come from insi

Cincinnati needs a reliable slot receiver if it wants to regain its explosive reputation, as it appears increasingly likely that Tee Higgins will acquire the franchise tag the next season.

Few are superior to Tyler Boyd, who is set to become a free agent in the upcoming season. Boyd had a poor 2023 season, averaging less than 10 yards per reception for the first time in his career. He is only expected to sign a $16.5 million, two-year contract with a $7 million guaranteed extension in 2024.

With about $60 million in salary cap space, the Bengals are now sixth in the NFL and have the resources to make it work. At least that much would be required of Cincinnati for any similar free-agent slot receiver.

Jonah Williams proved to be a competent right tackle this season, but with contract expectations in the neighborhood of $64 million over four years, he’ll probably be moving about in free agency. George Fant of Houston, who inked a $3 million, one-year contract with the Texans this year, would undoubtedly be a reasonable and suitable substitute.

Though it might be argued that Tanner Hudson and Drew Sample together proved to be a more-than-competent tandem, a tight end would likely be another need for the Bengals. Sample led the team in blocking and finished the season with two scores and 163 yards on 22 receptions, while Hudson finished with 39 receptions for 352 yards and a touchdown.

The Patriots’ Hunter Henry might be the perfect tight end if Cincinnati decides to go outside for a new addition. Henry, who had 42 receptions for 419 yards and six touchdowns, was likely to be available for about $10 million on a one-year contract

The Bengals won’t fare any better, even though Reader has over $15 million in potential free agency income. The reader has stated that he wants to stay in Cincinnati, so they can probably figure something out.

Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson are two reliable linebackers for the Bengals, but an impact player like Patrick Queen of Baltimore could be enough to elevate Lou Anarumo’s team to a higher level. Naturally, there would be some work involved in fitting Queen’s estimated annual revenue of around $17 million within the cap, but who knows?