A lot happened during the 2020 NFL offseason with a new collective bargaining agreement in place, numerous trades and the league's first ever virtual draft due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Bengals have enjoyed one of the most productive offseasons in the league highlighted by the additions of quarterback Joe Burrow, defensive tackle DJ Reader and cornerback Trae Waynes.
While many do not know what the 2020 season will look like until closer to September, it is clear where many of the Bengals' opponents stand with their rosters.
For those who need a refresh, let's take a look at the most significant moves that each of the Bengals' thirteen 2020 opponents have made.
Los Angeles Chargers
- Week 1 at home
- Notable Off-Season Additions: G Trai Turner (Trade), OT Bryan Bulaga (FA), LB Nick Vigil (FA), CB Chris Harris Jr. (FA), DT Linval Joseph (FA), LB Kenneth Murray (Draft), QB Justin Herbert (Draft)
The Chargers weren't afraid this offseason to make some big moves after a 5-11 season in 2019. Los Angeles moved on from their long-time quarterback Phillip Rivers and pivoted to the future with the drafting of Herbert in the first round. Herbert will have a much improved offensive line thanks to the additions of Bulaga and Turner. Notable veterans like Joseph, Harris and former Bengals linebacker Nick Vigil were brought in to shore up the defense.
Cleveland Browns
- Week 2 at Cleveland
- Week 7 at home
- Notable Off-Season Additions: TE Austin Hooper (FA), T Jake Conklin (T), QB Case Keenum (FA), DT Andrew Billings (FA), T Jedrick Willis Jr. (Draft) , DE Adrian Clayborn (FA), S Karl Joseph (FA)
Cleveland is looking for its first playoff appearance since 2002, the longest active drought in the NFL. With a new head coach in place in Kevin Stefanski, the Browns upgraded their offense with the additions of Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper and offensive tackles Jake Conklin and Jedrick Wills Jr.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Week 10 at Pittsburgh
- Week 15 at home
- Notable Off-Season Additions: TE Eric Ebron (FA), DT Chris Wormley (Trade), G Stefen Wisniewski (FA), WR Chase Claypool (Draft)
Most of the big moves Pittsburgh made occurred last offseason with the trades of safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from Miami and shipping out wide receiver Antonio Brown. The team used the franchise tag on outside linebacker Bud Dupree and tweaked their roster in free agency. The most intriguing addition is tight end Eric Ebron, who upgrades the Steelers offense in the red zone.
Philadelphia Eagles
- Week 3 at Philadelphia
- Notable Off-Season Additions: CB Darius Slay (Trade), DT Javon Hargrave (FA), WR Marquise Goodwin (Trade), WR Jalen Reagor (Draft)
NFL.com rated the trade for Slay as one of the most impactful offseason moves. The Eagles, who are two years removed from winning the Super Bowl, get a cornerback in Slay who brings a ton of confidence and swagger to Philadelphia. Hargrave comes over from the Steelers to add to one of the best defensive lines in football. The Eagles also overhauled their pass catchers by trading for Goodwin and using three of their draft picks at wide receiver.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Week 4 at home
- Notable Off-Season Additions: LB Joe Schobert (FA), TE Tyler Eifert (FA), RB Chris Thompson (FA), CB C.J. Henderson (Draft), LB K'Lavon Chaisson (Draft), WR Laviska Shenault Jr. (Draft)
A pair of familiar faces return to Paul Brown Stadium after offensive coordinator Jay Gruden and Eifert joined the Jaguars in the offseason. There's been a lot of movement with the team, especially on the defensive side of the ball over the previous 12 months. Veterans A.J. Bouye, Calais Campbell, Jalen Ramsey, Marcell Dareus, and Nick Foles were all shipped out as the team continues to reshape their roster by getting younger and more dynamic.
Baltimore Ravens
- Week 5 at Baltimore
- Week 17 at home
- Notable Off-Season Additions: DT Calais Campbell (Trade), DT Derek Wolfe (FA), Patrick Queen (Draft), RB JK Dobbins (Draft), LB Malik Harrison (Draft)
The Ravens finished with an AFC-best 14-2 record last season, but was bounced by the Titans in the Divisional Round. One of the areas of weakness came on the defensive side of the ball where Baltimore allowed a franchise-worst 4.4 yards per carry last season. With that in mind, the Ravens were aggressive in upgrading their front seven with the additions of Campbell and Wolfe in free agency, as well as linebackers Queen and Harrison in the draft.
Indianapolis Colts
- Week 6 at Indianapolis
- Notable Off-Season Additions: QB Phillip Rivers (FA), DT DeForest Buckner (Trade), CB Xavier Rhodes (FA), RB Jonathan Taylor (Draft), WR Michael Pittman Jr. (Draft)
Getting an All-Pro in Buckner was a huge addition for the Colts helping upgrade their pass rush. The 38-year old Rivers is a highly regarded win-now signing. Rivers will have some new weapons to work with as Taylor looks to add more a physical presence to the run game and a weapon to stretch the field in Pittman Jr.
Tennessee Titans
- Week 8 at home
- Notable Off-Season Additions: DE Vic Beasley (FA), OT Ty Sambrailo (FA), CB Jonathan Joseph (FA), OT Isaiah Wilson (Draft), CB Kristian Fulton (Draft)
Most of the focus this offseason for Tennessee was doing their best to retain their own free agents. They kept quarterback Ryan Tannehill with a four-year contract and placed the franchise tag on star running back Derrick Henry. The Titans also used the draft to fill in immediate needs on both sides of the ball with the selections of Wilson and Fulton.
Washington Redskins
- Week 11 at Washington
- Notable Off-Season Additions: DE Chase Young (Draft), QB Kyle Allen (Trade), LB Thomas Davis (FA), RB Peyton Barber, CB Ronald Darby
The biggest addition came early on as Ron Rivera became head coach of the Redskins after nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers in the same role. Rivera wasted no time in rebuilding a roster that went 3-13 last season headlined by the selection of Young second overall in the draft. The Redskins also brought in a few veterans on short term deals like Davis, Darby and Barber to help with leadership and the development of the team's young stars.
New York Giants
- Week 12 at home
- Notable Off-Season Additions: LB Blake Martinez (FA), CB James Bradberry (FA), RB Dion Lewis (FA), T Andrew Thomas (Draft), S Xavier McKinney (Draft)
This will be the first time since the 2005 season the Giants will not have quarterback Eli Manning on the roster after he retired in the offseason. Enter year two for quarterback Daniel Jones who will have a new head coach as well in Joe Jones. Bradberry and McKinney look to make an impact from the get-go helping revamp a Giants defense that allowed 377 yards per game and ranking 25th in the league.
Miami Dolphins
- Week 13 at Miami
- Notable Off-Season Additions: CB Byron Jones (FA), LB Kyle Van Noy (FA), DE Shaq Lawson (FA), RB Matt Breida (Trade), OT Ereck Flowers (FA), QB Tua Tagovailoa (Draft), OT Austin Jackson (Draft), CB Noah Igbinoghene (Draft)
The Dolphins have had one of the busiest 12 months in recent history with all of the trades, free agents and draft picks made. The headliner move in free agency came when Miami made Jones the league's highest-paid cornerback. Tagovailoa drew the most attention on draft night as the Dolphins quarterback of the future, but the team added skill and athleticism as well with the additions of Jackson and Igbinoghene later in round one.
Dallas Cowboys
- Week 14 at home
- Notable Off-Season Additions: QB Andy Dalton (FA), DT Gerald McCoy (FA), DT Dontari Poe (FA), K Greg Zuerlein (FA), S Ha-Ha Clinton Dix (FA), WR CeeDee Lamb (Draft)
It's been an offseason of significant change for the Cowboys since Mike McCarthy officially replacing Jason Garrett as the ninth coach in Cowboys history on Jan. 6. One of the most notable additions is Dalton recently signing with Dallas. But the Cowboys have been aggressive reshaping their defense bringing in top players like McCoy, Clinton Dix and Poe in free agency. The team also re-signed wide receiver Amari Cooper and placed the franchise tag on quarterback Dak Prescott.
Houston Texans
- Week 16 at Houston
- Notable Off-Season Additions: RB David Johnson (Trade), WR Randall Cobb (FA), WR Brandin Cooks (Trade), DT Ross Blacklock (Draft), CB Jaylen Watkins (FA), SS Eric Murray (FA), DT Tim Jernigan (FA)
Houston made a lot of headlines reshaping their roster for 2020. The trade of All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals and the acquisitions of Johnson, Cobb and Cooks signaled a dramatic shift in the Texans' offensive philosophy. The Texans also extended tackle Laremy Tunsil with a three-year, $66 million contract, which made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL.
