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Originally Posted On: https://jaredkamrassoh.wordpress.com/2023/03/03/jared-kamrass-on-bengals-pivot-from-building-to-sustaining/
With the annual Draft Combine beginning in Indianapolis, the Bengals make the trek up I-74 no longer as the plucky upstarts, but as one of the league’s dominant teams that will be a force for years to come.
In the past several off-seasons, the Bengals have spent lavishly in Free Agency, finding diamonds in the rough like Chidobe Awuzie or Ted Karras and investing in big names like D.J. Reader and Trey Hendrickson. This spring will be different.
Burrow’s Extension
Everything revolves around what will likely be Joe Burrow’s record-breaking extension. As number 9 enters his fourth year and becomes eligible for an extension, the Bengals appear poised to make him the highest paid player to ever play the game. The big questions to be seen are how much guaranteed money Burrow agrees to (something the Bengals don’t have a history of agreeing to) and how flexible the deal is to allow the Bengals to pay up to keep weapons like JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Key Free Agents
The team is relatively stable in Free Agency. Only TE Hayden Hurst is hitting free agency from the offensive side, and starters LB Germaine Pratt, FS Jessie Bates, and SS Vonn Bell can test the market on the defensive side. It seems like a fair bet that Bates will be moving on and Bell will be back in orange and black, while 2022 first rounder Dax Hill slides into Bates’ role. Pratt seems less likely to return than Hurst, but it’s possible to see them both back in Cincinnati.
Cap Casualties
The Bengals enjoy some of the highest cap space in the league, but there are still likely some players they’ll be moving on from. On the offensive side, the big names are RB Joe Mixon and RT La’El Collins. Mixon’s production has declined and is often replaced by RB Semaje Perine when pass protection is needed. The Bengals can save $10 million against the cap if they cut him. Meanwhile Collins was a splashy signing last off-season, but with inconsistent play and several torn ligaments in his knee, the Bengals seem likely to move on. WR Tyler Boyd could also be on the chopping block, though he may be more likely to be traded.
Draft/Free Agency
Look for the Bengals to attack the OL for the second straight off-season. A replacement for Collins and more depth in anticipation of LT Jonah Williams playing on expiring contract are both big needs. Interior depth is also an issue. LT Jackson Carman showed flashes in the playoffs, but will need to show more as he enters his third season.
Elsewhere on offense, TE Mitchell Wilcox is the only player from that room under contract. Bringing back Hayden Hurst is an option, but the 2023 draft class is deep at TE and the Bengals could use an early pick to give Burrow another weapon. Expect to see new faces at RB and WR, as well. Boyd is entering the last year of his deal, as is Higgins. More depth at WR could be a priority to ‘future-proof’ that room. With Mixon likely to move on, the team will hope to bring back Perine and get a cheaper option to pair with him in the mold of what Kansas City did with rookie RB Isiah Pachecho this year.
On Defense, don’t be surprised to see more capital spent in the defensive backfield. Awuzie is recovering from an ACL tear he suffered on Halloween and Eli Apple is a free agent. Expect to see a modest Free Agent signing and a premium draft pick there. Additionally, more nickel depth behind CB Mike Hilton will be a priority as Hill likely assumes a starting spot at FS. Expect to see more depth at LB in the event Pratt isn’t resigned and on the DL to spell Edge rushers Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard. More depth at NT and 3T is also likely.
