3 immediate moves Zac Taylor should make for Bengals to become Super Bowl contenders in 2025

The Cincinnati Bengals failed to make the playoffs for the second straight season under head coach Zac Taylor. This is a major disappointment, as the team had arguably the best passer in the league, the Triple Crown winner and the top sack-getter. It shows how important roster building is in the modern NFL.

The Bengals enter every season with deep postseason aspirations, and another regular season exit could spell the end of Taylor's tenure. Hence, it's only right that we look at three moves that the Bengals HC can make for his side to contend for the Super Bowl.

Three moves that Zac Taylor should make for the Cincinnati Bengals to contend for the Super Bowl

1. Re-sign Tee Higgins

Joe Burrow had the most passing yards and passing touchdowns this season. It was mostly down to the combination of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

This offseason will either make or mar the Bengals, as both players will be eligible for extensions. Chase will reset the market at wide receiver due to his status as arguably the best pass catcher in the league. However, Higgins' situation is slightly more complicated.

Higgins is the Bengals' clear WR2, but he's talented enough to be the lead wideout on another team. The Bengals must give him a bumper offer to keep him on the roster and it's anyone's guess as to how they'd afford such in the offseason.

2. Draft James Pearce Jr.

The Cincinnati Bengals have a gaping hole at edge rush and they'll need to sort this out via the upcoming NFL draft. Few edge rushers are as talented as Tennessee Volunteers star James Pearce Jr.

James Pearce Jr. will be a natural fit for Zac Taylor's side due to his tenacity and ability to generate pressure. Trey Hendrickson isn't getting any younger and adding a youthful deputy alongside him in the foreseeable future would be a masterstroke.

3. Draft another wide receiver

The Cincinnati Bengals might have the best one-two punch at wide receiver in the AFC, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement. Due to likely salary cap issues, the Bengals are better served picking up a wideout on day two of the draft.

The Bengals could select Jayden Higgins in the third round to solve their backup wide receiver need. With a physique similar to Tee Higgins, Jayden Higgins could serve as a quality third option for Joe Burrow.