Why did the Cincinnati Bengals fight so hard to avoid the No1 pick?
Cincy were 23 points down and set for their pick of the best players in college football – all they needed to do was lose. So why didn’t they lie down?
The Cincinnati Bengals are officially on the clock. The Bengals wrapped up the No1 overall pick in next year’s draft, after losing to the Miami Dolphins 38-35 in overtime on Sunday. With that, Heisman trophy winner Joe Burrow can start to look at Cincinnati area investment opportunities. The LSU quarterback is the overwhelming favorite to be selected by Cincy in May’s draft, but the Bengals came to fluffing their lines.
It is one of the league’s most interesting annual dichotomies as the season draws to a close: what is in the best interest of the franchise long-term is not in the best interest of those wearing the uniform in the here and now. The best possible things for the Bengals franchise in 2020 and beyond is to clinch the first overall pick, the most valuable non-franchise quarterback asset in the sport. It is a chance for them to land their quarterback of the future or a franchise-changing pass-rusher. But for the current players and coaches, winning every game remains vital. Their jobs, after all, are on the line.