HoosierCat

UDFAs signed. https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-sign-13-rookies-2025

Space in the LB room seems pretty tight. If they keep 6 like last year, then 4 spots are already claimed by Wilson, Burks, Knight and Barrett. And they seem to like both Heyward and Njongmeta. I suppose you could sneak one of those guys through to the PS, but even then who does Pratt play over? Given his paycheck you can’t relegate him to teams. I think the die has been cast here.

Also I see the media is fussing over Trey again. https://www.cincyjungle.com/2025/5/7/24425786/trey-hendrickson-bengals-update-contract-standoff All of this is based on Jeremy Fowler saying that Hendrickson has "no interest in playing on his scheduled $16 million salary in 2025." Which we already knew, right? I mean, that's the whole reason this saga is saga-ing. But it's an excuses to freak out about a holdout (which will never happen) and get some clicks, I guess.

Morrison wonders why Pratt is still on the roster. https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/what-is-going-on-with-the-cincinnati-bengals-and-linebacker-germaine-pratt-01jtp19t8p30 I agree with his conclusion, that the Bengals are holding on to him in hopes of some event that makes a team come offer a pick or something. But if nothing materializes, he will get cut.

Bachie signs on with Lou in Indy. https://www.stampedeblue.com/2025/5/7/24425463/colts-announce-signing-of-former-bengals-linebacker-who-reunites-with-lou-anarumo

No real surprise. I think it's his job to lose.

Steelers shipping Pickens off to Dallas. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45036163/sources-cowboys-nearing-trade-steelers-wr-george-pickens Fine by me.

Eh, all those replacement Lumina parts are made in China these days. Someone’s gotta pay the tariffs and it ain’t gonna be Mike.

Report from the first voluntary workout yesterday. https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/allbengals-insiders-plus/look-bengals-gather-for-first-on-field-workout-of-2025-offseason-01jtk24hyn46 BJ Hill in a boot Dax on the rehab field Charlie Jones present but not working. Same with Moss and All. Jamarr and Tee present, but Joe had places to be and suits to model… https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/joe-burrow-at-the-2025-met-gala-bengals-qb-info-pics/ar-AA1Ef4DB

Stone takes a haircut. https://overthecap.com/geno-stone-agrees-to-pay-cut-with-bengals Bengals team cap space now up to $26.6 million.

Ravens cut Justin Tucker.

Looks like the league bumped the schedule release up a day to the 14th. https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-2025-schedule-released-may-14

Tom feels your pain…

Yeah, I was wondering about Pratt this morning. There was a little flurry of bookface posts last night about them getting ready to release him. Dehner at least seems to think it’s coming. I guess we will see.

Good read from Dehner. https://archive.ph/aJTOm Not a whole we didn’t know or expect, but does make it crystal clear that Stewart, Knight and Barrett are Al’s picks 100% and he was locked in on taking them long before Cam Newton’s name got called. He believes they are what he needs to make his defense go. Also sneaks in confirmation that the LBs will be running the show on the field, versus the safeties under Lou. Hopefully frees Stone up to just play ball.

This is a good read. https://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/article/bengals-moaning-season-is-upon-us-again/ Some nice bits: Also:

Based on this it sounds like he might get some snaps there (“chess piece” etc.) but it seems clear they see him mainly at corner. https://www.bengals.com/news/dax-hill-bengals-believe-in-his-many-skills

As always, it’s a crapshoot. Just have to see how it goes.

Looking at the two linemen they did take, I think it's clear the Bengals were focused on the left guard spot in the draft and feel comfortable with their options at right guard. I assume it will be some combination of Patrick, Ford and Kirkland battling for the starting job there. My guess is it will be Patrick but I am rooting for Jaxson.

McShay and Muench liked the draft. https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/allbengals-insiders-plus/one-of-my-favorite-players-in-the-draft-todd-mcshay-praises-bengals-2025-selections-01jt10md3bcs Their biggest complaint is that they thought a few of the picks were too early, but at the same time didn't think they would have been there in the next round for the Bengals. We hear that every year and it always strikes me as weak tea. Bottom line, immediate post-draft grades are just empty content to kill time between now and the next NFL "event," the schedule reveal on the 15th. All the team sites have a countdown clock for that up now lol. By next week the draft will be forgotten as select games start to be "leaked" to build interest in the big reveal. Spain here we come? Stay tuned!

Nah. Going rate for CBs these days is $20m+. If he plays anything like he was early last year it’s a bargain.

Bengals picked up Dax’s fifth year option.

Yeah, everybody knows that the junk food of choice for elite nfl players is McDonald’s!

Details of Moss' new deal have finally dribbled out. He took about a $1.7 million haircut, tho he did get $375k guaranteed in return. Cap number comes down to $3.1 million from $4.8 million. Bengals total cap space rises to just over $25 million, per OTC. If Moss gets cut, add another $1.2 million. https://overthecap.com/player/zack-moss/8826