Bengals News (1/27): Samaje Perine helps send Chiefs back to Super Bowl

Former Bengals running back Samaje Perine got the first down that ended the AFC Championship Game.

Latest NFL GM hire is great news for the Bengals, but comes at a cost to their NFL Draft plans
This was second consecutive year Brown received interest in a promotion to GM. He was requested to interview with the New England Patriots last year but turned down the opportunity. His two interviews with the Jets represent the closest he’s gotten to leaving Cincinnati since arriving in 2021 as a scout.

Bengals Free Agent Targets: Evan Brown Could Be Bengals Interior Protection Salve
The 6-3, 320-pound talent played a career-high 1,070 snaps at left guard for the Cardinals this past season, amassing a 65.9 PFF grade along the way (73.5 PFF pass-blocking grade). His value extends further than left guard, having substantial playing time at right guard and center as well.

Bengals $40 million veteran tabbed as cut candidate for 2025 offseason | Sporting News
On top of the need to make improvements on both sides of the ball, and especially on defense, the Bengals have to extend wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and make a decision on fellow wideout Tee Higgins, who will hit free agency if he isn’t extended.

2025 Senior Bowl, East-West Shrine Bowl How To Watch
There are numerous events for potential draftees, including all-star games, College Pro Days and the NFL Scouting Combine in March before culminating in the 2025 NFL Draft in April. Events start this coming week with the East-West Shrine Bowl and the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Former Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer Expected to Retire
Zimmer “will likely retire” according to Ed Werder. The former Vikings head coach spent six seasons as the Bengals defensive coordinator (2008-2013) under Marvin Lewis.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow makes surprise trip to Australian Open
“What’s up guys, Joe Burrow here at the Australian Open. Excited to be here in the sun seeing the top athletes do what they do,” Burrow said.

Bengals’ Joe Burrow named PFWA Comeback Player of the Year
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow played all 17 games this season after missing seven games in 2023 with a torn wrist ligament. He went on to lead the league in passing yards and touchdowns this season and nearly brought the Bengals to the playoffs after a 4-8 start.

Former Bengals coach joins staff of AFC foe
Linebackers coach James Bettcher was let go by Cincinnati in early January along with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Now Bettcher is reportedly re-joining Anarumo in the same role with the Indianapolis Colts.

Reaction To Logan Fulmer’s Cincinnati Bengals 2025 NFL Draft Big Board | The Wright Way Network
The first Bengals specific big board was released at TWSN by Logan Fulmer and it hit the positions we expected it to. There were lots of defensive linemen and offensive linemen with a few other positions like cornerback, receiver, safety and tight end sprinkled in.

Bengals grab a fast-rising ‘disruptor’ in expert’s first mock draft
There, the Bengals stick at No. 17 and grab Ole Miss interior defensive lineman Walter Nolen, courtesy of NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah: “Nolen is a dynamic interior disruptor. He would be a key part of a turnaround under new Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden.”

Bengals steer away from Amarius Mims in 2024 NFL re-draft
Taliese Fuaga was thrown into the fire as a rookie, playing 1,070 snaps in 2024 for the New Orleans Saints. It wasn’t a flawless first season, but former Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak was impressed by what he saw from the youngster in 2024.

Also, a shoutout to former Bengals running back Samaje Perine, who is set to play in the Super Bowl after making a game-clinching third-down catch to beat the Buffalo Bills.