2025 Bengals Make-or-Break Participant: Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt

A Bengals Offseason Custom

We now have a little bit of an annual custom that kicks off round this time of 12 months. As soon as the primary waves of free company and the NFL Draft are within the rearview mirror, we flip our consideration to figuring out which Bengals gamers may be poised to take that all-important subsequent step of their careers.

Highlight Sequence: “Potential Bengals Breakout Gamers”

Right here at Cincy Jungle and on our related podcasts, we launch a recurring collection every offseason titled “Potential Bengals Breakout Gamers.” It’s our means of forecasting which gamers might step into bigger roles, present vital progress from the earlier season, or in any other case emerge as key contributors within the upcoming 12 months.

This isn’t simply guesswork. It’s based mostly on their doubtless elevated duties, glimpses of expertise, and the way they’ve been growing behind the scenes.

Introducing: “Make-or-Break 12 months”

Constructing off that custom, we’re rolling out a brand new companion collection: “Make-or-Break 12 months.” This collection spotlights Bengals gamers who’re coming into pivotal stretches of their careers—those that have to show themselves now or danger fading from the crew’s long-term plans.

Cam Taylor-Britt

When he was drafted in 2022, Cam Taylor-Britt was seen as the following in a line of strong Bengals cornerbacks. Whereas he initially performed a reserve function as a rookie, he flashed indicators of changing into the following shutdown nook as a rotational participant.

In 2023, Eli Apple left the Bengals, paving the way in which for Taylor-Britt to turn out to be a starter. He performed at a near-Professional Bowl stage—regardless of a midseason harm—main many to consider the correct cornerback spot was locked down for the foreseeable future.

Like many gamers on the roster, new teaching modifications carry new questions. Will Al Golden implement a system suited to Taylor-Britt’s strengths, or have we already seen the perfect from No. 29, whatever the teaching?

Background

Taylor-Britt was a extremely touted prospect coming into the 2022 draft class, backed by a powerful athletic background. His velocity and physicality drew the Bengals to pick out him within the second spherical, prompting a uncommon transfer up in an early spherical of the draft.

As a rookie, Taylor-Britt had his breakout efficiency within the 2022 Divisional Spherical recreation towards the Payments. In Cincinnati’s dominant defensive displaying on the highway, he sealed the sport with an interception and performed with noticeable physicality all through.

He parlayed that right into a strong 2023 marketing campaign, highlighted by an unbelievable efficiency towards the Seattle Seahawks. Regardless of lacking a while, Taylor-Britt seemed like one of many NFL’s subsequent up-and-coming cornerbacks.

Nevertheless, like many gamers on Cincinnati’s protection final 12 months, Taylor-Britt additionally skilled struggles. Nonetheless, the crew didn’t make any main outdoors investments on the place this offseason, signaling continued confidence in his potential transferring ahead.

What Taylor-Britt Must Show

Make no mistake: Taylor-Britt is making the roster this 12 months and could have a task. The query is what that function can be—and what his future with the membership appears like past 2025.

Cincinnati has proven quite a lot of religion in Al Golden to show the protection round. Veiled feedback from some defenders who struggled final 12 months appeared to level fingers at Lou Anarumo and the complexity of his defensive schemes.

Taylor-Britt, whereas not overtly crucial, might fall into the class of gamers welcoming Golden to the employees. The Bengals additionally didn’t herald any high-profile secondary gamers, suggesting they’re assured within the expertise they have already got within the defensive backfield.

The fourth-year cornerback is at a crossroads. He’s coming into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie deal and faces competitors from different excessive draft picks vying for distinguished roles. Can he show to be a dependable boundary starter?

Golden’s scheme seems to play to Taylor-Britt’s strengths. Extra man-to-man and bodily protection could also be emphasised—an method that has suited him nicely previously.

Nonetheless, refocusing must be a prime precedence for the younger nook, who at instances appeared to embrace stardom earlier than totally incomes it. If he places the whole lot collectively—and if the religion in Golden pays off—Taylor-Britt may very well be in line for a serious payday subsequent spring.