ArmyBengal

Fully expected Rankins to be shown the way out. Caution about Trey Smith ?? Did anyone see our guards play last year ??

Yeah, those meetings will surely make everything clear as mud, but why not ??

Out of curiosity, I took a look at the top 10 salaries at all the positions heading into the 2024 season. Trey signed a 1 year $21m deal, which would have put him at #11 on a per year dollar amount. Here are the top 10: Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers – $34M per year Josh Hines-Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars – $28.3M per year Brian Burns, New York Giants – $28.2M per year T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers – $28M per year Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns – $25M per year Danielle Hunter, Houston Texans – $24.5M per year Montez Sweat, Chicago Bears – $24.5M per year Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers – $24M per year Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders – $23.5M per year Bradley Chubb, Miami Dolphins – $22M per year

My take is Chase is the #1 priority due to the sheer number involved and the structure of that one. Agree that Tee may need to take less if he wants to remain with this group. The obvious choice for taking the risk is Trey. He's 30 years old. There's risk for the Bengals as well. Give him a new 3 year deal, where the Bengals can cut load after two without it killing them. I just hope they address Chase as soon as possible so they know exactly where they stand. That should go a long way to determine not only how the rest of FA goes, but the draft as well.

I've heard talk about the Bengals should consider Zack Martin, but he decided to retire.

I would love to be able to say that I have no worries in losing Trey, but that would be a lie. Besides him, we literally have no one else that can consistently get to the QB and close out the play. Myles Murphy sucking all the ass possible during given opportunities doesn't help. I was already expecting to go DE early in the draft and without Trey, that's another. With that, they are unproven and could just as easily be the second coming of Murphy. Guess we hope and pray Murphy finds a way to shuck the bust shell in 2025. That dude strikes me as someone that doesn't really want to play ball and lacks confidence. I just don't have faith in them finding another Trey should they trade him away for little.

Yeah, they've never wanted to pay out top dollar for interior o-line, but Trey Smith would really be nice. The others all seem like hoping they pan out, but not exactly sure. None of the CB's really excite me in the least.

I'd be more than good with Trey Smith at Guard for us. Dude has literally started every game since being drafted. He didn't give up a single sack last year either for the Chiefs and is only 26. Outside of him, I agree there aren't many in this class that are really exciting to consider. I really want to like the odds of Chase Young building himself back up. Not sure I totally do. At 25 years old, he's still young and has had a couple decent seasons recently. Haasan Reddick is another intriguing option, although 30 years old now. Give him that 1-2 year deal with an out for the team and you never know. I've heard Dre Greenlaw's name mentioned in regards to the Bengals as well. Recent injuries are concerning, but if he passes the medicals, I wouldn't oppose much. What about the 49er's safety Talanoa Hufanga? I haven't heard his name at all and while went through some injuries, could be a nice addition. I liked Zach Baun coming out of college at the linebacker spot and the Saints had him all jacked up. Not sure I'd throw a ton of cash at him, but couldn't hurt our linebacking room in the least. People forget BJ Hill is our own free agent to add to the mix and I wouldn't mind him back.

I'd take that as well.

Don't get me wrong, I want every high end free agent out there. That being said, I've already resigned myself to the fact that with Chase, Higgins and Trey all needing to be done, that any free agent signing is going to be of the bargain variety. Thinking one year prove it deals and things of that nature that could possibly help. I honestly think the team is just going to keep getting younger and especially on defense, where I see Golden getting some shiny new toys. There isn't much from that listed provided that interests me all that much but that's what I'm expecting. You never know though. That Orlando Brown Jr. signing came out of nowhere.

I had an interesting (see good) problem come up in a recent mock. The Bengals went on the clock at #17 and faced a top three rated players consisting of: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia Tyler Booker, LG, Alabama Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia In this situation, I want all three VERY MUCH and think any of them would impact the team greatly. I don't think there's a wrong answer among this bunch and could make a strong argument for either.

Always will root for Dalton. Him and his wife are really good people that do great things in their communities. Happy for him, while simultaneously acknowledging that I don't want him anywhere near my football team.

Well use some of that money and go get RG Trey Smith since the Chiefs aren't going to tag him and will hit free agency. I wanted that guy in the draft and he has literally started every single game, including playoffs, since being drafted in 2021.

Wow an extension prior to free agency and the draft? Hope he continues with the year he just had. That was nice after the last clown.

As with all Reds seasons for quite some time, we will see what happens. I go into it being hopeful. What’s the over/under for how many games into the season before they eliminated from playoff contention ??