In the end, it wasn’t quite enough for the surprise team of the season, the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite the loss in the Super Bowl, the outlook for the Bengals is bright.

Los Angeles/Munich – With a blank look, quarterback Joe Burrow trudged off the field at SoFi Stadium. The disappointment, it was plain to see on his face.

Only seconds before, his pass on fourth down failed and sealed the defeat of the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Rams (20:23). In the coming days, however, “Joey B” will also be aware of what a fantastic season he and the Bengals have had.

In the AFC North, Burrow and Co. secured the division title and eliminated the Las Vegas Raiders, the Tennessee Titans and the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs on their way to the Super Bowl. Against the Raiders, they managed their first playoff win in 31 years.

Cincinnati Bengals: worst team two years ago

An amazing development, after all, the franchise from Ohio was the worst team in the league just two years ago. Head coach Zac Taylor won just six games with the Bengals in his first two years. So they were able to secure quarterback Joe Burrow in the draft and the number one pick is already a saviour for the Bengals.

Unlike the Los Angeles Rams, who have numerous experienced players in their ranks, the Bengals have a young core, so they may have several more chances to win a Super Bowl in the coming years. That’s because, in addition to Burrow, receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, among others, have proven to be real godsends from the drafts of the past two years.

Add to that players like running back Joe Mixon and cornerback Mike Hilton who have established themselves in the Bengals system. So the conditions are right.

“Achieving greatness”: Bengals have tasted blood

“We’re going to work hard to get back here and then we’re going to win,” Burrow announced shortly after the loss. The young signal caller in particular plays an important role in this, after all he accepts nothing but the optimum.

Surprising as it may have been to make it to the Super Bowl, the former loser team has tasted blood. “We have to keep building and stay together as a team. As long as we do that, we’ll continue to do great things,” wide receiver Tyler Boyd said of the Bengals’ future prospects.

The Ohio franchise’s roster certainly meets higher ambitions and can be further strengthened for the coming season in view of a cap space of 44.5 million dollars. Especially in the O-line, there is a considerable need for action, after all, Burrow equalled a dubious record in the Super Bowl: he was sacked seven times. The nine sacks against the Titans are a playoff record.

O-line problems need to be fixed

This obvious weakness definitely needs to be addressed, otherwise they could be in for a rude awakening next season. After all, the AFC is a real shark tank with numerous top teams and quarterbacks. Especially the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills will be watching the Bengals closely.

In addition, the expectations surrounding Burrow and Co. are likely to be much higher in the coming season than in this season. But if anyone has shown how to ideally handle expectations and pressure, it was “Joey B” and his Bengals.

The Bengals’ drought phase is finally over, a rosy future probably lies ahead – despite the painful defeat in the Super Bowl.