The 2016 Cincinnati Bengals season was the franchise's 47th season in the National Football League, the 49th overall and the fourteenth under head coachMarvin Lewis. The Bengals regressed from their 12–4 record from 2015, and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2010, finishing 6–9–1, and finishing in 3rd place in their division. This season would see the Bengals play in London for the first time ever, where they tied the Washington Redskins 27–27.
On January 12, 2016, defensive backs coach Vance Joseph was hired as the new defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins.[1] On the same day, linebackers coach Matt Burke also was hired as the new linebackers coach of the Miami Dolphins.[2] On January 13, offensive coordinator Hue Jackson was hired as the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns.[3] On January 15, quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese was promoted to offensive coordinator.[4] On the same day, former New Orleans Saints head coach Jim Haslett was hired as the new linebackers coach.[5] On January 18, the Bengals hired former Miami Dolphins assistant coaches Bill Lazor as the new quarterbacks coach, and Kevin Coyle as the new defensive backs coach, as well as hiring Washington Redskins assistant coach Jacob Burney as the new defensive line coach.[6] On January 19, defensive line coach Jay Hayes was hired to be the new defensive line coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[7]
Contract extensionsedit
On March 4, the Bengals signed wide receiver Brandon Tate to a one-year extension through 2017 worth $1,024,000.[8] On March 7, the Bengals signed center T. J. Johnson to a one-year extension through 2017 worth $600,000.[9] On May 17, the Bengals signed safety Shawn Williams to a four-year extension through 2020 worth $19.5 million.[10] On June 8, the Bengals signed halfback Giovani Benard to a three-year extension through 2019 worth $15.5 million.[11] On August 2, the Bengals signed tight end Ryan Hewitt to a three-year extension through 2019 worth $7.5 million.[12]
Roster changesedit
Acquisitionsedit
Pre-Draftedit
The first transactions of the year occurred shortly after the conclusion of the 2015 regular season on January 8, when the Bengals signed kicker Zach Hocker, defensive end Dezmond Johnson and safety Floyd Raven to Reserve/Future contracts.[13] On January 11, the Bengals signed wide receiver Michael Bennett and Jake Kumerow, offensive lineman Trey Hopkins, linebacker Jeff Luc and Jayson DiManche, and tight end Matt Lengel to reserve/future contracts.[14] Additionally, the Bengals signed running back Bronson Hill to a reserve/future contract on February 2, and tight end John Peters on February 3.[15][16] On February 8, the Bengals signed Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Darryl Baldwin and New York Giants cornerback Chykie Brown.[17]
On May 8, the Bengals signed four undrafted free agents: kicker Jonathan Brown (Louisville), linebacker Gionni Paul (Utah), offensive lineman Trip Thurman (Florida), and cornerback Corey Tindal (Marshall).[21] On May 11, the Bengals signed former Louisville offensive lineman Aaron Epps (UDFA).[22] On May 16, the Bengals signed former Buffalo quarterback Joe Licata (UDFA).[23] On May 26, the Bengals signed fullback Andrew Bonnet.[24] On July 26, the Bengals signed former Calgary wide receiver Rashaun Simonise (UDFA).[25] On July 27, the Bengals signed former Nebraska defensive end Jack Gangwish (UDFA).[26] On July 28, the Bengals signed safety Jimmy Wilson.[27]
On April 26, the Bengals released linebacker A.J. Hawk.[32] On May 11, offensive lineman Darryl Baldwin was released.[22] On May 16, undrafted free agent quarterback Matt Johnson was released.[23] On July 20, undrafted free agent cornerback Corey Tindal was released.[33] On July 26, defensive end Dezmond Johnson and undrafted free agent running back DyShawn Mobley were released.[25]
2016 NFL Draftedit
Pre-draftedit
Prior to the draft, the Bengals held visits for 40 players; 15 had private visits, 5 players visited during the NFL Scouting Combine, 1 met during the Senior Bowl, and 2 at the East–West Shrine Game, 11 had private workouts, while 2 had local visits.[34]
In a hard fought affair, Andy Dalton threw for 366 yards and a touchdown, but was sacked a career-high seven times. A. J. Green finished the game with 12 receptions for 180 yards plus a touchdown. The Bengals trailed by one with just over three minutes left in the game, but Dalton completed all four of his passes for 33 yards to set up Mike Nugent's go-ahead field goal with 54 seconds remaining. Three plays into the ensuing Jets' drive, Bengals' defensive back Josh Shaw recorded his first interception, picking off Ryan Fitzpatrick on a 3rd and 10 to seal a third straight season-opening victory for Cincinnati as they started 1–0. They also snapped a 9-game road losing streak to the Jets.
Week 2: at Pittsburgh Steelersedit
Week Two: Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
On a rain-soaked Heinz Field, the Bengals' offense struggled to get much going against the Steelers. All three of the Bengals' red zone trips resulted in Mike Nugent field goals, while Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw three touchdowns. With just under seven minutes left in the game, Roethlisberger tossed a four-yard touchdown to running back DeAngelo Williams that gave Pittsburgh a 24–9 lead. The Bengals responded, however, as Andy Dalton drove Cincinnati to a quick score, finding Giovani Bernard on a 25-yard touchdown to make it 24–16. Trying to tie the game, Cincinnati drove to the Steelers' 39-yard line with two minutes left in the game, but rookie receiver Tyler Boyd's fumble sealed a Bengals loss. It appeared Boyd 's knee was down before he lost control of the ball on a hit by James Harrison, but upon review, the call stood and the Bengals dropped to 1–1. Dalton threw for 366 yards for the second straight week, giving him the NFL lead in passing yards (732) through two weeks.
Week 3: vs. Denver Broncosedit
Week Three: Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Hosting the defending Super Bowl champion Broncos, Andy Dalton's 300-yard streak was stopped, throwing for just 206 yards. It was also his second straight game in which he did not throw a touchdown pass. With the loss, the Bengals dropped to 1–2 and third place in the AFC North.
Week 4: vs. Miami Dolphinsedit
Week Four: Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Newly acquired Brandon LaFell returned to New England for the first time after leaving the Patriots in the offseason. With the loss, the Bengals dropped to 2–4.
Week 7: vs. Cleveland Brownsedit
Week Seven: Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
With their fourth straight win over the Browns, the Bengals improved to 3–4. With the Ravens' loss to the Jets, the Bengals moved into a tie for second in the AFC North.
The Bengals hosted the Washington Redskins in London between a shootout between Kirk Cousins and Andy Dalton. Unfortunately, the Bengals could not score in overtime nor the Redskins and thus allowed a tie for the third time in 10 years and first tie since tying with the Carolina Panthers 37–37 in 2014, leaving their record at 3–4–1.
Week 10: at New York Giantsedit
Week Ten: Cincinnati Bengals at New York Giants – Game summary
With their fourth straight loss to the Steelers, the Bengals fell to 5–8–1. The game was just a few moments away from wrapping up when the Baltimore Ravens beat the Philadelphia Eagles 28-27. As a result, the Cincinnati Bengals were eliminated from playoff contention no matter the outcome. The Bengals were condemned to their first losing season since 2010.
Week 16: at Houston Texansedit
Week Sixteen: Cincinnati Bengals at Houston Texans – Game summary
As time expired, Randy Bullock missed the game-winning field goal sending the Bengals to 5–9–1. Dalton also set a new career-high of losses in a single season.
Week 17: vs. Baltimore Ravensedit
Week Seventeen: Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
^ abKansas City clinched the AFC West division over Oakland based on head-to-head sweep.
^ abHouston clinched the AFC South division title over Tennessee based on record vs. division opponents.
^ abTennessee finished ahead of Denver based on head-to-head victory.
^ abBaltimore finished ahead of Indianapolis based on record vs. conference opponents.
^ abThe New York Jets finished ahead of San Diego based record vs. common opponents — the Jets' cumulative record against Cleveland, Indianapolis, Kansas City and Miami was 1–4, while San Diego's cumulative record against the same four teams was 0–5.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.
Rookies in italics
53 active, 10 inactive, 5 practice squad
Referencesedit
^Wesseling, Chris (January 12, 2016). "Dolphins hire Vance Joseph as defensive coordinator". NFL.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Kirkendall, Josh (January 12, 2016). "Miami Dolphins hire Bengals linebackers coach Matt Burke". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Wesseling, Chris (January 13, 2016). "Cleveland Browns hire Hue Jackson as head coach". NFL.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Orr, Conor (January 15, 2016). "Bengals hire Ken Zampese as offensive coordinator". NFL.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Marcum, Jason (January 15, 2016). "Bengals hire former Saints head coach Jim Haslett to replace Matt Burke as linebackers coach". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Harvey, Coley (January 18, 2016). "Bengals add Bill Lazor, Kevin Coyle, Jacob Burney to coaching staff". ESPN. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Smith, Scott (January 19, 2016). "Four Assistants Added to Koetter's Staff". Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Archived from the original on June 9, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Marcum, Jason (March 7, 2016). "Bengals re-sign T.J. Johnson who was set to be an exclusive rights free agent". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
^"Bengals sign Shawn Williams to 4-year extension". NFL.com. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
^Patra, Kevin (June 8, 2016). "Giovani Bernard signs $15.5M extension with Bengals". NFL.com. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
^Sessler, Marc (August 2, 2016). "Ryan Hewitt signs three-year extension with Bengals". NFL.com. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
^Wallner, Jeff (January 7, 2016). "Cast off, Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton might play". UPI. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Marcum, Jason (January 11, 2016). "Jeff Luc among 5 Bengals signed to future contracts". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
^Marcum, Jason (February 2, 2016). "Running back Bronson Hill signs with Bengals". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Marcum, Jason (February 3, 2016). "Tight end John Peters signs future contract to re-join Bengals". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Marcum, Jason (February 8, 2016). "Bengals sign OT Darryl Baldwin, CB Chykie Brown". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Howe, Connor (March 17, 2016). "Taylor Mays signs contract to reunite with the Bengals". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Sessler, Marc (March 29, 2016). "Bengals to sign veteran linebacker Karlos Dansby". NFL.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
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^Marcum, Jason (May 8, 2016). "Bengals sign Trip Thurman, Gionni Paul, Corey Tindal and Jon Brown". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ abHobson, Geoff (May 11, 2016). "Bengals add young tackle and release another". Cincinnati Bengals. Archived from the original on July 27, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
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^Marcum, Jason (May 25, 2016). "Bengals sign FB Andrew Bonnet, waive K Jonathan Brown". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^ ab"Tuesday's moves not expected to make immediate impact". Cincinnati Bengals. July 26, 2016. Archived from the original on August 1, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^"Cincinnati Bengals sign former Husker DE Jack Gangwish". Big Red Today. July 29, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Marcum, Jason (July 28, 2016). "Bengals sign former Dolphins, Chargers safety Jimmy Wilson". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Patra, Kevin (March 10, 2016). "Falcons, Mohamed Sanu agree to five-year deal". NFL.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Trister, Noah (March 11, 2016). "Lions Finalize $40 Million, 5-Year Deal With WR Marvin Jones". CBS Detroit. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Wesseling, Chris (April 6, 2016). "Raiders sign former Bengals safety Reggie Nelson". NFL.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^"Leon Hall signs one-year contract with New York Giants". NFL.com. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
^Sessler, Marc (April 26, 2016). "Cincinnati Bengals release linebacker A.J. Hawk". NFL.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Hobson, Geoff (July 20, 2016). "Notes: Bengals cut rookie CB to go one under limit; Pre-registration urged for Dre's Saturday camp". Cincinnati Bengals. Archived from the original on July 23, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Cherepinsky, Walter (April 25, 2016). "2016 NFL Draft Prospect Visits Tracked by Team". Walter Football. Archived from the original on April 25, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^Hobson, Geoff (May 6, 2016). "A look at CFAs; List of try-out players". Cincinnati Bengals. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
^Phelps, Kyle (May 6, 2016). "Bengals announce 2016 college free agent signings". Cincy Jungle. Retrieved August 1, 2016.