NFL analyst names Bengals running back a sophomore breakout candidate

There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the Cincinnati Bengals coming into the 2024 season. Quarterback Joe Burrow has arrived at training camp healthy and ready to go, and with an exciting new look . The offense, too, is going to have a bit of a different look to it this season, but with Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase in tow, it should still be just as explosive.

One of those new-look pieces in the Bengals offense this season could be second-year running back Chase Brown. Brown spent his rookie season behind Joe Mixon on the depth chart and didn’t see much action in his first year. However, with Mixon now with the Houston Texans after an offseason trade, Brown is poised to break out as a sophomore according to one NFL analyst.

Pro Football Network’s Anthony DiBona recently identified one sophomore breakout candidate for each team, and he’s landed on Brown for the Bengals. Brown, still just 24 years old, has shown some explosiveness as both a runner and a receiver, traits that should serve him well as part of a 1-2 punch in the Bengals backfield.

The Bengals did also sign veteran running back Zack Moss in the offseason to a two-year deal worth $8 million, which may temper some of the opportunity Brown would have otherwise received. However, the two are complementary backs and both should see a good amount of opportunity with Burrow and the offense.

Provided Burrow can stay healthy, both Brown and Moss should help the Bengals offense fire on all cylinders once again, as the team tries to get back to their Super Bowl glory – and actually capitalize on it this time.