$Cincinnati Bengals\' 5 Biggest Offseason Mistakes So Far$

Cincinnati Bengals' 5 Biggest Offseason Mistakes So Far

By Robb Hoff

Cincinnati Bengals' 5 Biggest Offseason Mistakes So Far

Cincinnati Bengals, Mike Zimmer, Jay Gruden, Andy Dalton — The Cincinnati Bengals have won 30 games in the past three years, but have failed to win a playoff game in three tries. Opportunities presented themselves for the Bengals to improve the team during this offseason, but the biggest opportunities were not taken.

5. Not Trading for an Experienced Cornerback

Cincinnati Bengals, Terence Newman

5. Not Trading for an Experienced Cornerback

Cincinnati Bengals, Terence Newman — With Terence Newman turning 36 years old and Leon Hall recovering from a second Achilles' tendon injury. the Cincinnati Bengals need to acquire a polished NFL cornerback for insurance. The acquisition need only be a second-tier type corner, but failure to upgrade the cornerback position could be a costly mistake in 2014.

4. Waiting to Extend or Trade QB Andy Dalton

Cincinnati Benglas, Andy Dalton

4. Waiting to Extend or Trade QB Andy Dalton

Cincinnati Bengals, Andy Dalton — The Cincinnati Bengals either need to re-sign Andy Dalton before he can command top quarterback money or else trade him while he has his greatest value to another team. The Bengals have to decide whether winning with Dalton during the regular season is more important than losing with him in the playoffs and live with that decision accordingly unless Dalton can reach the next level of postseason success.

3. Not Re-signing Tackle Anthony Collins

Cincinnati Bengals, Anthony Collins

3. Not Re-signing Tackle Anthony Collins

Cincinnati Bengals. Anthony Collins — The Cincinnati Bengals failed to re-sign backup tackle Anthony Collins to a new contract and watched him walk via free agency. Collins should be among the best pass-protection tackles in the NFL for the next five years.

2. Not Replacing Marvin Lewis with Jay Gruden

Cincinnati Bengals, Jay Gruden

2. Not Replacing Marvin Lewis with Jay Gruden

Cincinnati Bengals, Jay Gruden — If the Cincinnati Bengals had no intention of replacing head coach Marvin Lewis with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, then promoting offensive coordinator Jay Gruden would've been the next best thing.

1. Not Replacing Marvin Lewis with Mike Zimmer

Cincinnati Bengals, Mike Zimmer

1. Not Replacing Marvin Lewis with Mike Zimmer

Cincinnati Bengals, Mike Zimmer — The Cincinnati Bengals had the chance to hire the fiery Mike Zimmer to replace Marvin Lewis as head coach, but opted to retain Lewis for a 12th season. Not promoting Zimmer from defensive coordinator was the biggest mistake the Bengals made this offseason.

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Cincinnati Bengals

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