By most accounts, the Cincinnati Bengals made some unexpected moves and improved in NFL free agency.
The team will then turn around and upgrade at quarterback in the 2020 NFL draft with Joe Burrow.
Don’t tell that to oddsmakers at BetMGM. According to the win/loss lines there, the over/under is currently set at a paltry five.
And on one hand, a team up swinging by three wins after a 2-14 season isn’t terribly negative. Rebuilds take time.
But on the other, the Bengals just uncharacteristically committed more than $100 million to outside free agents. A green coaching staff should be better prepared for next season. And as NFL fans well know — nothing moves the needle like an improvement under center.
On paper, additions like D.J. Reader in the heart of the defense and Burrow slinging it to a healthy A.J. Green behind a line with a debuting first-round pick in Jonah Williams could lead to a turnaround.
There are admittedly a ton of “ifs” still. But it’s hard to blame anyone who takes the over.
