ArmyBengal

$28m shouldn't be enough for Watt. His production throughout his career has been next level. Model of Pro Bowl and All Pro consistency, along with not only winning the DPoY, but always in the mix each season. His stats are ungodly and he is just a beast of a football player that regardless of the team, you have to appreciate from a pure fan perspective. If he played in Cincinnati, he would be everyone's favorite player. Much respect to his game. The fact outlets only have him projected to make only about $6-$7m more than Trey per year is crazy. If Trey is worthy of something between $30m and $35m, Watt is worthy of north of $40m. I hate that he plays for the Steelers, but he's an animal.

I don't disagree with this at all. I think it's part of the reason I'm not as concerned about the o-line as in years past. They (the coaches) seem to think the offense is going to be top end regardless. I've just always been of the line of thought that I wonder how much better they could be? If Joe is going to take the blame for last season's failure, when he turned in an MVP season, and thinks he could have done more, that more should be coming off the back of the offensive line. That is literally the only way he could have done more.

Have to say straight up releasing Pratt was the last thing I wanted to see. No trade compensation, lose (at a minimum) depth to a linebacker corps that needs it, and a guy that Golden drafted. I'm just saying that if this release doesn't result in a Trey extension, it's stupid. I wish Germaine the best of luck and thank him for his time here. I will never forget the game clinching INT against the Raiders in the playoffs breaking our playoff win drought. My son and I were there screaming, jumping up and down, going bat shit crazy. Thanks Germaine !! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0yoPAhj4Tk

I'm with you AMPHAR. I'm hopeful we see the improvement. That being said, I've spent most off seasons thinking, if the o-line could just hold up. This is the first time that has shifted to, if the defense could just get off the damn field. Honestly, I'm going into the season exceptionally hopeful Golden can make that happen. However, the talent they have really needs to step it up and produce. Speaking of Trey, has anyone seen some of the stupid ass trade scenarios posted out there? If any of those are remotely possible, better to wait Trey out. Sooner or later he's going to be the one to cave. No way he doesn't play even at the rumored $28m for the season. Take the bird in the hand Trey. The Bengals won't blink.

Has been a problem of his for his entire career and continued after his playing time ended. What he has done for Chris Henry's family has been amazing, but really wish he could control the nonsense. Despite helping, has never been the "role model" type of guy. More of the, learn from my bad decisions way.

Saw that as well and was discussing with my oldest. He wasn't thrilled but don't see the issue with that add. Both Mixon and Pearce have missed time with injuries. Now all the Texans have to do is have them all miss time at different times and they are good. LOL... If he helps the team win, so be it. They have to find a way to get through the divisional round. They are still a fun team to watch play. Some real talent there as well.

I just saw where the Packers released Jaire Alexander. Yes, he's had injuries and hasn't played a full season in the last 4. I would be interested in bringing him in to evaluate the knee to start with. He had a PCL scope surgery at the end of December and should be close to healed up. If the knee isn't ready, it's an easy pass. However, if the knee is thought to be ready and he can take the field in camp he's an interesting thought. The Bengals were thought to be interested in bringing in a Veteran CB at some point, so he fits that bill. He's not going to be making anything near the $16m he was due to make in GB before the release. We have young CB's with talent and should he miss more time, it's not the end of the world for us. Again, if the knee isn't good. Pass. If it is, there are worse players they could add. Color me slightly interested at this point.

I’m confident in Golden’s abilities. Whether that pans out this year remains to be seen. I’m ever hopeful however.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Bengals like most of these guys on this forum. Being on this site for over 20 years talking about them says enough. (Probably that we’re crazy) So when I shit in their Wheaties, it’s just being realistic. The secondary has talent, but it all comes with issues. Dax Hill was a first rounder. He has great talent but has been hurt. DJ Turner the same. CTB has talent with an overwhelming need to talk shit without backing it up. If we get the last half of last season Geno Stone, that’s awesome. If not, that sucks. Who’s the other safety? Battle I guess, but he’s had ups and downs as well. Newton is said to be taking over the nickel spot since Hilton isn’t coming back. Never thought much of him. Again, Golden has his hands full. I’m hoping all the stars align but it’s really going to take that to make this D get where it needs to be.

Well Stewart and the Bengals can’t figure out a first round contract for some stupid reason the Bengals created out of thin air. Murphy has been mostly unseen during his time here despite being a first round pick and is a complete unknown and maybe a bust. Trey is working on his third offseason of demanding more and seeing the Bengals get dragged through the media, despite them giving him everything he’s asked for in each occasion. Put me in the camp that even though this defense only needs to get to middle of the pack, they are going to have a hard time doing that. I like Al Golden, but he has his hands full.

If the Bengals season goes down the shitter but we get to watch this happen, the 2025 season will still be quite enjoyable to watch. Color me happy to see him finally sign.

Odd, I called the Bengals, but got transferred to the Rascal Freedom Power Chair company located in Nigeria. It was all bullshit though and it's really all a front to bring back the Lumina. The place is now managed by former Bengals safety Ifeanyi Ohalete. They have struggled with constant outbreaks of violence until they finally got the root cause of the issue. Their Arby's stopped carrying the potato pancake because they had no one that knew how to make them. 2025 saw a transfer of the teenager that worked the drive thru in Heath to that location and things normalized. The 2026 Lumina debuted at the Detroit Auto Show with rave reviews and noted trunk space for a new Power Chair. Bengals plan is to give the one-of-a-kind prototype 2026 Lumina to Trey and hope it smooths things over. Hope that helps...

Hell Yeah, back up and running. I reached out to Terry and he kicked the hamsters to get moving again. He's the man !!

I don’t know how things work out for Pratt but I had mentioned before that Golden was the LB coach when he was drafted. I would think that makes him the type of LB Golden wants. If his release or trade would have moved the needle of Trey’s extension, I think he would have been gone already. Who knows?

Already forgot about Perine. Agree wholeheartedly. His blocking skills are/were top notch and will be valued. Agree that Murphy may just be a bust. Hoping for the best since he dumped Fruity Pebbles this offseason. Dax has skills, but between position moves and injuries it just hasn't worked out. Get after it Dax !! CTB could do one thing and really help himself and the team... Shut the fuck up. That dude must have been reading his own press from the previous season and got the big head. He wasn't the same player last year that he was in 2023. Get back to that and we are good there. Nice adds.

So if you are picking players that would impact the team the most if they took a good step forward in 2025, who would you be looking at? Yeah, everyone. Duh, but get specific. I think there are some players that, if they take the next step, can really push this team forward in 2025. I mentioned these two many times, but Dax Hill and Myles Murphy have to top this list for me. Murphy being a 1st round pick comes with an expectation that he beats out Ossai playing opposite Trey (hopefully). Dax has an opportunity to come back from injury and take over the nickel back spot with Hilton leaving. Much like Murphy, Hill comes with an expectation that he beats out Newton or pushes another starter for snap. Outside of those two, seeing Battle really come on at SS would also be a great help in the secondary. Both Jackson and Jenkins at DT should be fun to watch and see if they progressed in the off season. Two more on the defensive side that are new and want to see step into those roles are Slaton at DT and Burks at LB. Offensively, I don't think there is much more to add. Seeing Mims come into camp strong and improve at RT? The battle for the #4 WR spot between Burton and Jones should be one to watch. There has been positive talk from both Burrow and Zac about Burton and Jones is healthy once again. The WR corps could be the best in the league. That's a really talented group of players. I'm intrigued with the rookies however and seeing how they progress through camp practices and in preseason games.

I know Burrow likes to downplay sacks and people talk about how the o-line plays to Burrow's strengths. I love how high powered the offense is with a bottom quarter o-line as well. HOWEVER, I can't help but wonder how much MORE high powered and balanced (see running game) the offense could be if we just had a middle of the road o-line? How much better could the team be? With how much is invested in Burrow, Chase, and Tee to make that offense run, work that o-line and get all you can out of the offense. Give me that offense capable of eating the hell out of the clock and close out games and we are in business.

That and continued work on the o-line. Although this is the first time in a while where I'm intrigued by what "might be" with both units. New DC and new o-line coach. Add some new players and a new approach and get after it. Just give me mid-level ranked units for the defense and o-line and we are in business. The talent on the roster is sufficient. They don't need to be the best in the league.

Another thing, I love how all the media outlets are just banging on the Bengals for not paying their own despite doing that more often than not. For every Trey Hendrickson that may in fact be underpaid, you have plenty more that underperform their pay out. When teams have a way to even that out and take money back from them, I will be more concerned. I'm telling you, if Dax Hill and Myles Murphy don't ball the fuck out this year, those two need to go. I've said it time and time again, those two misses have impacted the defense and team as a whole. I don't care who the starter is, there are expectations and both have clearly fallen short. The thought of paying Dax nearly $10m on his club option next year sickens me.

Agree, I think Trey finally caves. It sounds good to say all the "I'm dug in", "I'm not playing", and whatever nonsense that comes flying out if his mouth. However, if the $28m is a factual number, he's beyond stupid not to take that deal and get after chasing a championship. I think it was Ben Baby that finally saw someone point out that this is the 3rd year that Trey has asked for his contract to be reworked and the Bengals having basically given him what he's asked for each time, minus the massive pay day in a long term deal. Again, he asked, he was offered and he accepted. At any juncture he could have went in a different direction. I like Trey and want him back on this defense, but he's kind of being a bitch.

I’m with that. Hope springs eternal.

I would agree more except they do this every year since Zac has been here. Start slow, play like crap against teams they should beat and then spend the rest of the season playing catchup with the #1 seed beyond reach. They have to find a way to fix that.

Agree with something getting done with Trey as well. People view it differently, but the Bengals really hold on the cards with both his contract and the tag. They could keep him from ever getting a longer term, big pay day ever again. If they use the tag, he will be going on 33 before he gets a chance with another team. Not many mid 30's DE's out there getting long term high dollar deals. Stewart? He will get done sooner or later, but the Bengals front office is really stupid with this. Creating something that previously never existed and having it impact him getting on the field is just silly. Am I losing sleep over it? No, but as I view it, it's stupid.

It's like riding a bike. Something tells me you will slide right back into it !! I'm getting older so now I have to stretch before drinking...

I agree with that thought process as well. Will see what Zac decides to do this go round.