HoosierCat

To no one’s surprise, Vrabel gets the NE job. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/patriots-hire-mike-vrabel-as-franchises-next-head-coach-former-new-england-star-returns-home/

I’ve been saying it for years, Tomlin is a very marginally better Marvin Lewis. The one Lombardi he won, he won with a team Cowher built. I hope he stays in Pitt forever.

Eat shit Pittsburgh.

Lamar struggling.

Harbaugh going full turtle. Never go full turtle.

Then King Henry wakes up…28-7.

The Steelers are who we thought they were.

I’m not even sure you can call it “his” failure. The Bears’ front office might be even more incompetent than ours.

Yeah, Singleton is on my radar as well. Seems like he would be a perfect fit.

Jets, Browns, Jags get UK "home" games in 2025. https://www.nfl.com/news/new-york-jets-cleveland-browns-jacksonville-jaguars-2025-nfl-london-games We play all three but the Jets and Jags are coming to Cincy so the only chance this time around would be the Clowns.

The offense will definitely be worse without Tee. Don’t take my word for it, Dehner laid that out earlier today: https://archive.ph/pGCjs The defense had Trey and still sucked donkey balls. Like I said I‘m not a fan of the idea, but we’re bringing a new DC. He will want to put his own plans into place. And like COB said we have like $18 million we can clear in Hubbard and Rankins. Take that, trade Trey for picks and/or a defensive player, and let the new guy cook. Not saying they *should* do this but it’s a legit option.

I think I hate all these picks except maybe Grant. https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-2025-mock-draft-roundup-1-0

NFL twists the knife: Bengals QB Joe Burrow today was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for regular-season games played in December and January. Sigh...

I hate the idea of trading him but it does make some sense, especially now that the mood seems to be shifting in favor of re-signing Tee. That plus a Chase extension will almost certainly drain their coffers, or at least their willingness to spend more from them. And if Trey isn't at the peak of his value right now, he's still up there.

It’s just amazing to me that every few cycles the bengals have to learn the same lesson again: don’t use premium picks on knuckleheads. When your whole strategy is building through the draft, because you won’t or can’t afford to play at the top end of free agency, minimizing risk is the name of the game. Now they’ve hosed themselves again. Tee is headed to the market and his alleged replacement is a homeless guy who hits women. Fan freaking tastic. Don’t give me bs about culture, Zac, just don’t do it. Move on to the next guy on the board. And I’m sure it’s not all him (hi duke, hi Katie, etc.). All of you, just stop.

Well that explains it… https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2025/01/08/jermaine-burton-news-bengals-wide-receiver-accused-assault/77542872007/ Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton is accused of assaulting a woman he was dating, but she refused to press charges, Cincinnati police reports show. An assault was reported the morning of Dec. 30, just days before the Cincinnati Bengals nixed Burton from traveling with the team to Pittsburgh, the last game of the season.

No reason to think he can't play 2-3 more years. Right now he's going into the last year of his deal, Salary is $15.8 million, with $200k in per game bonuses. Cap hit is $18.6 million, which includes the last $2.6 million proration of his signing bonus. I would offer a two year extension (2025 and 2026, with a third, void year to stretch out the cap hit). Total value will be $50 million, half of which is guaranteed. That's basically Myles Garret level: https://overthecap.com/position/4-3-defensive-end. Salaried of 10/15 for the two years. Cap hits would be around 19 for 2025 (remember he's already counting 18.6), 24 in 2026 and 9 in dead money year three (2027). Given his age and performance, that ($25 million APY) seems about where he would slot in to me.

Hendrickson named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Pitt. https://www.bengals.com/news/trey-hendrickson-afc-defensive-player-of-the-week-18-2024 Fun fact from that piece:

Clearly his answer will be Tedy Bruschi, American of the Century.

Great news Browns fans! Deshaun reinjured his Achilles, may need fresh surgery, could miss all of next season! https://www.brownsnation.com/insider-reveals-what-shes-hearing-about-deshaun-watsons-setback/

Pierce one and done in Vegas. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43324313/source-raiders-fire-antonio-pierce-finishing-4-13

11 signed to reserve/futures contracts. CB Micah Abraham HB Gary Brightwell CB Nate Brooks WR Cole Burgess OT Andrew Coker DE Raymond Johnson III S PJ Jules S Jaylen Key G Tashawn Manning WR Kendric Pryor LB Craig Young https://local12.com/amp/sports/bengals/bengals-sign-11-players-reserve-future-contracts-micah-abraham-gary-brightwell-nate-brooks-cole-burgess-andrew-coker-raymond-johnson-pj-jules-jaylen-key-tashawn-manning-kendric-pryor-craig-young

I believe this was Covington’s first year as DC in NE. He has a rep as an up-and-comer but I dunno. Not really feeling it here.

Not a Bengals change, but the Titans fired their GM today. Callahan is staying but you have to think his position is shaky with a new GM on the way. His seat could heat up real fast next season. https://www.nbc4i.com/sports/sports-illustrated/arena-nfl/si-cincinnati-bengals-nfl/7ddc7345/titans-fire-general-manager-ran-carthon-retaining-brian-callahan/

Don't hate it. He had some success there. Also reported to be up for the Jags' HC job, but again could just be a Rooney Rule interview, who knows.