Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt is determined to leave behind a rocky 2024 campaign and prove he can be the lock-down defender the team needs. Selected by the Bengals in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Taylor-Britt has faced adversity this year. He served a short benching and was plagued with injuries that limited his overall time on the field.
Taylor-Britt’s struggles this season have been well documented. On the field, he struggled immensely, including one disastrous missed tackle that let the other team run for 22 yards. Consequently, he found himself playing extended stretches on the pine in multiple contests. All of these challenges led to a growing sense that he was somehow underachieving.
In Week 4, Taylor-Britt started but finished the game on the sidelines after logging only five snaps in a disappointing 28-3 loss to the Denver Broncos on “Monday Night Football.” He missed Week 3 due to a hamstring injury. Then, in Week 4 he was hit with limited action because of a small illness, exacerbating his struggles.
Through these challenges, Taylor-Britt has remained open and willing to learn and grow. Bengals assistant coach Chuck Burks lauded him for his strong week of practice, emphasizing his focus and determination.
“He’s done a phenomenal job this week of being present, playing well,” – Chuck Burks
Taylor-Britt said he thought about his previous games. In his mind, he was focusing too much on outside voices, affecting his level of play and affecting his confidence. He once highlighted the importance of a short memory for a cornerback. He earnestly voiced his wish to reclaim his trademark exuberance on the turf.
“I feel like I shied away from it, listening to everybody else. I let that play into my game and my head, everything. As a corner you have to have a short memory. You can’t dwell on things.” – Cam Taylor-Britt
Taylor-Britt is hoping to show off his skills and prove why the Bengals made him their first pick of the draft. He is confident that with the right work and determination, he’ll be able to have a big impact before these final games are over.
“At the end of the day, that’s what they want from me. Why shy away from it?” – Cam Taylor-Britt
One sign of that commitment came when he decided to announce—saying publicly that he plans to re-enter the field with energy and focus. He just wants to “put his best foot forward and go out there and take care of business” in these last 12 or so games.
The cornerback recalled a memorable moment this season when he made a one-handed interception against the Kansas City Chiefs in tight coverage, showcasing his potential. As big of a play as this is, it’s easy to forget everything he’s capable of, and everything that he brings to the Bengals’ defense.
To his credit, Taylor-Britt is committed to developing his craft. He is motivated to shut up his doubters and prove that he has enough value to the Bengals. With the help of his coaching staff and players around him, he’s going to make sure he comes out a better person during this rough stretch.
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