Cam Taylor-Britt
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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 04: Cam Taylor-Britt #29 of the Cincinnati Bengals leaves the field after the Bengals defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 19-17, at Acrisure Stadium on January 04, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
With the Cincinnati Bengals season finally here, everyone’s talking about what they’ll be watching closely in the first month.
On The Athletic Football Show podcast, Dave Helman didn’t hold back with his answer of Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt.
“The guy that comes to my mind right off the top of my head is Cam Taylor-Britt,” Helman said. “I have to believe you can get good results out of him. Geno Stone had the benefit of playing on a loaded Ravens team, and maybe that’s the issue. But even Geno Stone has played good football over the course of his career. Logan Wilson has played good football over the course of his career. There are four or five guys that should be able to be part of a useful NFL defense here. I don’t know if that’s enough, but, again, if I’m looking for the glass-half-full version of events, maybe that’s it.”
Drafted in the second round by the Bengals (No. 60 overall) in 2022, he could be on his way to a Pro Bowl season.
Why Taylor-Britt Matters So Much For Bengals Season
Taylor-Britt has shown flashes across three NFL seasons, and he’s had stretches where he looks like a reliable No. 1 corner. But inconsistency and injuries have kept him from breaking through.
That’s why Helman singled him out.
Cincinnati’s defense lost some key veterans and now needs guys like Taylor-Britt to step into bigger roles. If he can stabilize the secondary, it allows Lou Anarumo’s scheme to lean on its strengths — mixing coverages, disguising pressure, and forcing quarterbacks to hesitate.
Helman also pointed out that Taylor-Britt doesn’t have to do it alone. Safety Geno Stone, fresh off his stint with the Ravens, brings starting-caliber experience to the back end. Linebacker Logan Wilson is a steady presence in the middle and has played plenty of good football in his own right.
Add in a handful of young guys who have flashed — plus a defensive coordinator with a reputation for maximizing personnel — and there’s at least a blueprint here. As Helman put it:
That “maybe” is doing a lot of work. But in a division where every margin matters, a useful defense might be enough if the offense lives up to expectations.
Supporting Cast
The Bengals aren’t being counted out yet, but back-to-back years without a playoff berth have raised questions. With Burrow and Chase still in their primes, this should be a team that contends — not one that hovers around .500.
Taylor-Britt becoming more consistent won’t solve every issue, especially with questions about the offensive line still lingering. But it could prevent games from turning into track meets, and that’s the kind of difference that can swing two or three outcomes in a season.
When you’re looking for X-factors early in the season, you usually think of quarterbacks or star playmakers. But Helman’s right to put the spotlight on Taylor-Britt. Cincinnati doesn’t need him to be a shutdown corner every week — they just need him to be reliable.
Either way, keep your eyes on No. 29. If he shows up big in September, it could change the outlook for the Bengals’ entire season.