Washington Nationals Need To Follow The Bengals Blueprint

After dominating the NL for almost a decade, the Washington Nationals have started a rebuild. To return to relevance, they need to take a page from the Bengals.

From 2011 to 2015, the Cincinnati Bengals reached the playoffs every year, winning two division titles over that span. Unfortunately, they continued to fall short in the playoffs, losing in the first round every time.

Then in 2016 their playoff window was forced shut and they entered a brutal rebuild, hitting rock bottom in 2019 when they finished with the worst record in the league (2-14). Yet, the Bengals were able to take advantage of the number one pick, drafting quarterback Joe Burrow. The following year they finished with the fifth pick in the draft thanks to a 4-12 record and selected wide receiver Jamar Chase.

Entering the 2021 season, the Bengals were once again picked to finish last in their division, but they had other plans. Thanks to Burrow and Chase and the Bengals’ impressive free-agent acquisitions, the team won the division for the first time since 2015 and finally were able to get over the playoff hump. They are set to play the Rams in the Super Bowl later tonight.

The Bengals arrived earlier as contenders earlier than expected which should put a smile on the Nationals’ face. Entering the first year of their respective rebuild, they already have a superstar to build around, giving them a leg up.

Most MLB rebuilds take 4-5 years on average, but Mike Rizzo plans on having the Washington Nationals return to contention by 2024. In order to do that, the Nationals need to follow the Bengals blueprint and accomplish two important steps.