Cincinnati Bengals: Taking stock of team’s young talent

As we reach the end of a disappointing season for the Cincinnati Bengals, we take stock of the impact made by their young players and see who may be part of the team’s future.

At 6-9, the Cincinnati Bengals’ playoff hopes are long dead. A game may be left on the schedule, but there isn’t much left to be determined by the outing. Really, it’s just a final checkmark before another season is officially put in the books.

With nothing left to play for but pride and to spoil their rival’s own playoff hopes, this is a good time to begin looking towards the future. To do so, we’ll be looking back at the expanse of this season at the contributions and impact of the young players brought into this team.

Seeking out and determining who will be part of the future for a team is a constant journey for a team. This year, it becomes particularly important for these Bengals: Marvin Lewis’ contract is up and there’s an overwhelming assumption that he will not be returning as head coach in 2018.

If that proves to be true, this entire organization is going to experience a major shakeup. Outside of the top-level stars under contract, every single player’s roster spot for next season and beyond is immediately up for grabs.

Regardless of who is coaching this team after 2017, the young players on this roster are who will determine where this team goes in the future. If those players can be key contributors, this team may be a few solid moves away from playoff contention even with an entirely new coaching staff; if not, then a full-on, years-long rebuilding process could be what this franchise is facing instead.

Here, I’ll be selecting a few important Cincinnati players who are early in their careers, looking back at what they’ve accomplished so far as professionals to help figure out just how they may factor into this franchise’s plans as they move forward.