Picture this: Joe Burrow, Cincinnati’s golden-armed quarterback, stands in the pocket like a shortstop waiting for a routine grounder. But lately, the infield feels crowded. The Bengals’ offseason moves have been less Field of Dreams and more Moneyball—calculating, unflashy, and leaving fans squinting for the grand strategy. While Burrow’s offense lost a key piece (more on that later), head coach Zac Taylor is playing chess, not checkers, with a defense that’s seen more turnover than your local diner’s coffee pot.

Cincinnati’s faithful—think guys who still debate Boomer Esiason’s ’88 MVP season over a Skyline Chili three-way—are craving stability. Joe Burrow’s health hinges on protection, but the backfield just lost a trusted safety valve. Meanwhile, Taylor’s defense, once as reliable as a vintage Mustang, now feels like an engine rebuild mid-road trip. Enter a familiar face returning to the garage.

On Wednesday, the Bengals re-signed defensive end Cam Sample to a one-year deal, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Sample, 25, missed the entire 2024 season with a torn Achilles but brings versatility to a D-line that’s hemorrhaged talent. With 68 tackles and five sacks in 47 career games, he’s no Myles Garrett. But guys who can play multiple spots are like duct tape—they hold things together.

Sample’s return is a Band-Aid for a unit that lost Sam Hubbard to retirement and may trade Trey Hendrickson. His 61.6 PFF grade in 2023 won’t wow fantasy GMs, but his ability to slide inside on passing downs could ease the sting. Cam’s the kind of guy you want in the trenches when the leaves start turning.

Taylor’s offseason moves read like a DIY manual: Re-sign rotational pieces (Sample, B.J. Hill), let veterans walk, and hope the draft delivers a spark. It’s a gamble as bold as going for it on fourth-and-goal. But with Joe Burrow’s $275 million contract devouring cap space, frugality isn’t optional—it’s survival.

The Bengals’ D-line now features Sample, Hill, and newcomer T.J. Slaton. It’s a committee approach, reminiscent of the ’85 Bears’ “Black and Blues Brothers.” If those brothers were on a budget. But they’re building depth. Hence, don’t expect a Chase Young splash. But while Taylor patches up his defense, Burrow lost a backfield ally.

Burrow’s backfield takes a hit

Former Bengals RB Khalil Herbert—a 56-game veteran with 1,905 career rushing yards—inked a one-year deal with the Colts on March 12. Herbert’s 2024 stats in Cincy (114 rush yards in 8 games) were meager, but his departure leaves Chase Brown as the lone proven backup. For a QB who’s endured nine sacks in a single playoff game, that’s like swapping a seatbelt for a prayer.

Herbert’s exit isn’t a headline-grabber, but it echoes a broader trend: The Bengals are betting big on youth. Rookie RB Chris Evans Jr. flashed potential last year, yet his 3.9 yards per carry left fans pining for the Mixon days. You don’t replace experience overnight. But in the NFL, you can’t pay everyone. Besides, Cincinnati’s 2025 hopes rest on two pillars.

Joe Burrow’s surgically repaired wrist and a defense that must overperform. The AFC North remains a meat grinder—Lamar Jackson’s Ravens, Myles Garrett’s Browns, and a Steelers team that’s never heard of “rebuilding.” As philosopher Yogi Berra once quipped, “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.”

So, Bengal fans: Is Taylor’s defense a masterclass in resourcefulness or a ticking time bomb? And can Burrow, now sans Herbert, carry the load like a young Elway? The answers start in September. Until then, pass the chili and pray for no more Achilles snaps.