The running back position will undergo changes in Cincinnati next season. The Bengals traded veteran Joe Mixon to the Houston Texans earlier this year and plan to replace him with newcomer Zack Moss and second-year back Chase Brown. Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans are also on the roster.
### Bengals Looking to Bolster Backfield?
However, the Bengals are still searching for another running back, specifically a third-down back like Samaje Perine, who played for them in 2022, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. Perine signed with the Denver Broncos last offseason, and the Bengals have yet to find an adequate replacement.
From Dehner:
“The shift from Joe Mixon to a combination of Zack Moss and Chase Brown was designed to create more explosiveness and versatility. Yet, the Bengals feel one man short as they search for a third-down back. Moss can fill the role, but backups Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans need competition. Samaje Perine filled this masterfully in 2022 (and might end up being the answer here if Denver cuts him), but the Bengals never replaced him.”
It will be interesting to see if the Bengals decide to bring in another back. They still have time, and star quarterback Joe Burrow is optimistic about the current backfield setup.
“I feel really good about our backs,” Burrow said recently. “Chase [Brown] looks great. He’s an explosive guy that can take it to the house at any time. He’s looked great catching the ball out of the backfield. He worked really hard at that, and it’s paying off. And then Zack (Moss) coming in, he’s going to do a great job for us this year. He’s very even-keeled, does his job, and runs hard. So I’m excited to see what those two guys can bring.”
Even if the Bengals don’t add another back, there are reasons for optimism for Cincinnati’s backfield in 2024. Moss is coming off the best season of his career with the Indianapolis Colts, recording 794 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2023. Brown also showed significant potential as a rookie.
Brown averaged 4.1 yards per carry in 2023, a respectable number for a first-year player. He also demonstrated effectiveness as a receiver, catching 14 passes (out of 15 targets) for 156 yards and a touchdown. That’s an average of over 11 yards per reception, or a first down and change every time he caught the ball. Perhaps he can develop into a legitimate passing threat out of the backfield.
We’ll have to wait and see if the Bengals decide to bring someone else in or go into the 2024 season with their current roster.
