Amarius Mims is not spending this season thinking small.
After the Bengals’ first training camp practice this week, the young right tackle made it clear he’s chasing more than just a steady year. He wants to keep climbing, keep refining, and eventually put himself in the same conversation as the league’s elite at the position.
Cincinnati’s 6-foot-7, 340-pound tackle closed last season on a strong note. From Week 12 on, he posted no Pro Football Focus game grade below 70.6 and finished the year with a career-high 1,050 total snaps. That stretch gave him the kind of momentum he’s trying to carry into this season.
"I felt like the last half of the season, really after the bye week, I just felt like my game took a step forward," Mims noted. "Really just about not starting slow.
Starting where I was, and keep building on it throughout the year. I don't want to put unreal expectations on myself with like Pro Bowls and all that stuff.
Of course, that's the main goal, but just trying to be better every game, because I just want to win, block for No. 9 as long as possible, however long that may be, and I just want to do good for our O-line.
"I want to play with this group of guys. We all want to do good, but me personally, I just want to be better than I was last year and just like turn that notch of where like I can go from good to great.
That's where you separate yourself. Like I want to be in the conversation with Penei Sewells and Lane Johnsons and all those guys one day, and I feel like if I play as good as I know I can, then I can be in those conversations."
That’s the standard Mims is setting for himself, and the Bengals have reasons to believe he can get there. Scott Peters’ group began to settle in with his tendencies late in the year, and now the full unit is back together.
During that strong finish, Mims did not allow three-plus quarterback pressures in any game, and he did not commit a penalty after Week 7. That kind of cleaner, steadier play is exactly what he wants to build on.
The offseason also gave him something he clearly valued: continuity. Dalton Risner is back at right guard, and Mims made it obvious how much that matters to him.
"We brought some guys who were on the team back last year," Mims said about the team's offseason. "Key guys, Dalton's (Risner) back, my right guard.
That's the main thing I'm happy about. I know everybody's talking about the defense, but I'm just glad I got my guy back, man.
I'm glad Dalton's back. Ever since the season ended, I grinded talking to coach every day, trying to get him back.
"So that's the main thing. I'm glad he's back.
I'm gonna be honest with you, man. I'm just happy.
Like I said, you just feel the energy's different in here, and we're just trying to have a good training camp, and a good start to the season."
For Mims, the mission is simple: keep the focus on the work, keep the pocket clean, and keep doing his job for Cincinnati. The next step is all about turning that late-season surge into something even bigger.
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