AMPHAR

This offseason its about the big 3. They are under contract. A holdout does not provide a clear solution to their assumed demands. With the cap/cash already accounted for on the cap and the rumors it appears at some point something gets resolved. Unfortunately there's nothing that mandates it gets done March or even before draft day. Once past that, its nothing until July 15th. The media knows this. So they've sewn a narrative that the price is going up to generate clicks, narratives etc. Still got to wait on details on a couple contracts but my guess is that its all bullshit. The Justin Jefferson contract will be the one to beat still. The reason I say that is Myles Garret guarantee money in 4 years is still lower than Justin Jefferson's 4 year value. The Browns have used void years/extra years to spread up front money. That inflates the reported AAV. The Bengals haven't pissed away $8m a year with Chase.

1 guy to watch on the RG front would be Wyatt Teller. Browns don't have much cap space but are QB shopping. He's due $10m on the 18th. So potential cut. However, he's a dead cap casualty so any cut/trade would have to designated post 6/1. I'd take him over any FA that was available at any point this off season. Other starting G is in similar spot. $10m due on the 19th.

Zeitler has been a FA at least 2 offseasons in a row and maybe 3. So you got to wonder why? But anyway the Bengals and Z have never been linked to each other once he got cut out of his big contract in each of those seasons. So I'm guessing there's a reason why. I think he's off the market now anyway. Schreff would be my choice out of any. He's been the top RG while in Washington. Lost some of luster in Jax, but was it really the RG the problem there? Jenkins - Every fan is all over him. Great. Something about being available makes people over rate you. La'el Collins vibes with this one. At one point people were wanting to trade a 1st La'el then they were following him around in the Mall. WTF? For that guy? Then of course couldn't practice all summer. Pollack decides to start him off 2 practices and he gets whooped bigger than shit the first half of the season. Becton - They took him to Ruby's. Never offered a contract? I think Tier Tart was there too. Afterward it was references as personality fit or whatever. Becton couldn't play one side or refused to or something because of his knee. I think he played LG with Eagles. Tier Tart thing, I'm guessing it was because he dropped the peoples elbow on Karras's kneck after a play. Surprised nothing ever became of that. Dangerous as hell. Becton, I guess they weren't too impressed. Probably better off drafting at RG at this point. Maybe two.

Volson will get his chance in TC. He doesn't cost much and there's not much cap savings. I think he got too long a leash under Pollack. I think he has a very low ceiling.

He would have been the starter. I can't remember when he got hurt but he was running with the top team in TC. Myles Murphy was doomed to the scrub squad. Although I believe Hubbard was also recovering. I'm glad they brought him back. At least give him a chance to beat somebody out even if its for depth.

It wasn't a great FA class.

Bengals are getting slammed because the "price is going up". This is all based on Press release AAV. Not the greatest way to judge. Since the Myles Garret Contract is the now the "highest non QB" you'd have to wait to see details. However, the Crosby contract did not move the price upward as suggested by media. The discussion last summer was Chase had an offer to make him the highest paid WR. Was it on AAV? Cash? Not sure. JJ's contract paid him $39m in first year. $96m in first 3. Max's deal is lower in both metrics. $33m and $94m. CD lamb contract reworked is about the same as Crosby. Both JJ and CD have a better chance getting to year 4, but they also will be paid more if Crosby gets to year 4. Long story short: Chase would take the JJ or CD contract over Crosby deal.

Nick Emmanori S - South Carolina would be on my target list at 17. On of the few non-DL prospects I'd have on there right now. Until somebody is added they have a spot open and he looks the part of instant impact. You could also throw Starks in there but my 1st non-DL target would be Emmanori. I thought Herbert was back but he's a FA. Would like to have him back then move on from Williams. If neither are resigned then adding a RB later in the draft becomes a decent move.

Higgins is either extended or on the tag. His window to move on has about closed, IMO. I'm guessing he takes the extension. I would love that trade but I'm thinking he'd be gone already if anyone called offering that. I'm guessing his market isn't what he hoped it'd be. Any team could talk offer sheet and there's not a peep about it. Trey is gone, IMO. That's leaves them 7 rostered DL when they typically keep 10. I think 2 DL in the first 4 picks is likely. Maybe 1 DE, 1 DT. So there would need to be another body, I hoping a healthy Sample given FA wasn't strong to begin with and now seems picked through.

WHAT? That's Bullshit! I'm pissed now. Most of the time give me basic new york cheescake, but that coconut cream version was awesome.

Higgins $26m, Chase $22m and Trey $19m. $67m in cash/cap space already allocated to those 3. I would guess at min they have $110m planned for cash expenditure this year IF all are extended. Any extension/restructure of Burrow only helps IF he puts off his money. The details of the Allen/Mahomes new deals aren't out but it probably pays them more money this year while creating cap room. A Burrow restructure of that type is not what is needed and there's been no indication Burrow is willing to push off his money. Fans/Media want the Chase, Trey, and Tee deals done in March. I do too, just to move on to another topic, but there's really no requirement to have them done at the start of FA. Start of TC or July 15th will be the critical point. Although, I'm guessing Trey will be gone by then. Burrow pushing off his $25m salary planned for this year into a guaranteed 2026 roster bonus would help cash flow and cap.

Chiefs did it to be within cap rules. They've already lost a couple starters. Bengals are under the cap and there's no need to restructure at this time and at the current time have lost 0 of the big 3. Although Hendrickson is probably going I would assume. Colts insider says they are talking to him along with 2 other teams.

coconut cream pie cheesecake at the Cheesecake factory is legit and I assume it was Baker's favorite.

So are they not going to have a Jeff Ruby's dinner this year? Kinda sad.

Can't extend until after year 3. Bengals probably saved $34m cash when Chase backed out. It goes both ways Chase elected to only get paid $5m for a triple crown season. Is he going to do the same in 2025 and only get paid $21m? Look how fast AJ Green fell apart and he was playing games with his contract at the time his ankle got rolled into on that Dayton surface. Its a spread of about $43m of JJ's total cash through 2025 and what Chase will get paid without an extension.

there was some stuff about Denver promising feature back role then they basically lied or it didn't work out. He was on the trade block once during 2022/2023 or maybe it was rumor. He got cut right before 2024 season. I hope he is the same player because he's another weapon catching out of the backfield and that's a good combo with is pass blocking. Little less unpredictable.

Eh, the Bears traded and signed guards fairly quickly in FA. That kinda concerns me about Jenkins with back problems that flopped at RT first.

Slaton is a rotational run stuffer. His highlights look like he'll give them some pursuit in the run game which was sorely needed. I like that about Jackson's rookie year too. Hopefully they can get some decent rotation going and get BJ back to a 500 snap or less player. Nothing they've done for the D is earth shattering just depth. They are working to bring back Ossai. Have an offer out to Trey, but we'll see how that shakes out. They've passively blamed Lou in the offseason about the shit performance of the D. If they get most the band back together I think it reinforces that thought. I kinda agree with it. But I'm also an idiot. So we'll see. IMO, it wasn't a great FA class to begin with so I don't think there's a "hell yeah" moment for the D unless they get Trey to return. But ultimately it looks like we'll get a clear answer to was it Lou or lack of talent?

Bengals sign reserve Eagles LB Oren Burks. To a cheap deal. Davis Gaither moving on to Cardinals.

Commanders might be out on Trey because they just traded for the Gas Mask Bong Left Tackle from Houston. Tunsil. Edit: remove trade comp its a bunch of picks from 2025 and 2026. Wait til finalized. I guess if they have their 2nd rounder or whatever they still could give it to the Bengals.

Reporting error, I guess. Good time to remember unless Bengals acknowledge the signing, there's some chance it doesn't happen. Everyone trying to be first on the news this day. I don't think Bengals can report guys off different teams for a couple days considering this is the tampering period. Edit: Bengals.com will acknowledge the report by place "Reports:". I don't think the team acknowledges it until they sign.

TJ Slaton a Bengal?

For sure Moss. When he was healthy he played 0 ST snaps. Now you have a couple backs that can get snaps in the offense and also contribute to STs with Perine and Herbert. I'm assuming Herbert isn't a FA. Then Williams is looking at a uphill battle.

A couple have resigned with their team. No big deals so far. All the dudes talked about are still out there. As a whole the FA class isn't ridiculous so far. The big headliners have been guys extending with their team or trades.

Perine is back to the Bengals. Mahomes shouldn't have dissed him on the bench.