AMPHAR

Bengals certainly would have the up to date injury info. The hesitation probably more to due with his age and injury history. He's been injured a lot as a Bengal. He only plays 55%-65% of snaps when healthy. DJ needs to be on the La'El Collins type contract. I don't have a lot of heartburn losing DJ. His availability is a question but most of the local media seem to think he's DJ of 2021. From my untrained eye his play slipped big time in 2023. Although Lou wants him back. Give him a 1 year deal with play time incentives. Heck maybe sweeten it for the extra year. I would not go above $8m per year based on what some other rotational DTs have signed for. If the Detroit Lions out bid you, more power to them.

Joe was a good one. I don't wish him luck because he's staying in the AFC. Was productive behind some of the crappiest lines.

Webb/Jones/and Jonathan Jackson. With Willie at RT. Good lord I would kill for that today.

The local insiders flat out said Bengals won't use a high draft pick on rookie tackles last off season. So????? If there's an ounce of truth to that. Tyron Smith on a 1 year deal. BOOOM. I can't remember how old Whit was when he got the 1 year offer, but with inflation that would make Tryon Smith cheaper than that offer. So do it. However, Latham and Fuaga are plug and play and IMO there isn't room for both. If they sign Smith then there is a whole world of players that will be awesome to have at 18 especially if 4 or more QBs go above them. Sign Smith you instantly root for a run on tackles along with QBs.

Dude on the radio indicated similar thoughts. The market for the mid-tier tackles and Smith is slow to develop because of the draft class. Same with the mid tier DTs. He thought its not a case of the Bengals dragging their feet more of when do some of these players get ready to set market. Take it for what its worth. Wasn't super positive on Jonah returning but wouldn't rule it out because it sounded like there is a price they would act on. Also indicated if DJ Reader returns they would need another add.

Yeah, that's a pain in the ass.

Bengals.com is still silent on Mixon/Moss scenario. Probably means Mixon traded for Will Anderson or something. Just odd every other deal is acknowledged by Bengal.com but not the Mixon/Moss transaction. Also if Hobson doesn't make reference to a rolling Stone gathers Moss. I'll be disappointed.

I don't know if Gesicki would get enough snaps/target to amass 700 yards. We'll see. The important thing is he can get open because Chase draws so much coverage.

Yeah Hudson on top of this would give them alot of options to play around with TE vs. Slot WR.

Is Mike Gesicki a Bengal? Thought I saw it. That's a solid move if it isn't expensive. Edit: Yes he is. 1 year $3.25. Doesn't end the yearly TE debate but this is a solid move. Has had a couple 700 yard season and former 2nd round pick. Out of all the rent a TEs they've done recently, I like this one the most.

Sooooooooooooo? If Zac Moss is such an upgrade why didn't Houston just sign the cheaper/better RB? Instead they give up a pick and take on slightly more money. However, its the path chosen by the Bengals so at least they got something in return.

If I were Higgins, I'd be nervous to go there. Better hope that contract is great.

I just don't see the upside. Zac Moss isn't horrible. Probably solid. But they only save $1m in cash, if that. $2m in cap room. The people shoving Mixon out the door was first about money then about game breaking, then about only gaining what's blocked for you. I don't think Moss is bringing that extra gear or wiggle, because if he could, he wouldn't be so cheap. This could blow up on them for what saving $2m in cap room? Hopefully it works out. Voodoo stats are iffy and can be fools gold because you really have to account for the Competition, Formation, and game situation. Zac Moss's voodoo stats are going to be super awesome if he gets the week after week touches Mixon was getting behind this line with Burrow? Its a whole different world going from needing to run to be the best chance to win and running when the HC/QB want you to and we are first throwing to Chase then Higgins etc.

Rumor mill: I didn't realize there were so many trade value charts floating around. Bengals have been talking to Panthers on a Higgins trade. Asking price is both 2nds. Counter is a 2nd and a 5th. So pending which value chart you frequent. Bengals are asking for mid 1st round value, Panther countering with low 1st round value. Although Tobin is on record talking about how he values these low round picks so there's another trade value chart that suggest pick 33 and pick 141 are worth and equivalent of pick 13. Not sure I buy that, but whatever. Panthers got a bunch of differing picks so I'm not sure which numbers they are actually talking about.

Very interested to hear the local flavor on the Moss/Mixon swap. If the conversation is mainly about pass blocking, then oh boy hold on to your butts. Edit: Looks like Texans are moving fast on Mixon.

They save both cash and cap room but its not significant to hold up dealing with another player. If it is, then we are in fucking trouble. Moss has never cracked a 1,000 yards rushing or 200 yards receiving. So my guess is Chase Brown is the guy or there's another move coming? Brown, Moss, Williams seems like a step back, IMO. Broncos have released the entire team but somehow have held on to Perine who they didn't play during the year. Weird.

I don't get a lot of heart burn losing Reader. Although his market is hotter than what I would have guessed.

That is a shocker. I did not see that one coming. Hopefully the group of RBs collectively is equal or better. I really hope Mixon don't end up in the North or AFC for that matter.

Keep him. Tee looks stuck to me. He's going to have to have his best season to approach #1 WR money. His agent can do whatever he wants but there's no way Tee is holding out, becoming a lockeroom cancer, or faking injuries and still getting #1 WR money coming off a sub-700 season. Bengals will have the tag next year and the WR draft class will be loaded again. Tee will be just 1 year older and further removed from his best season. Tee playing on the tag is not the best outcome for the Bengals but its hardly a negative. If they tag again next year they are paying the same or less than the Colts are paying to Pittman. Bengals are pushing all the risk on the player and giving up cap manipulation.

I didn't see Chido returning unless on the cheap. With the addition of Stone, givin his numbers I'm not sure the Bengals need to add a body to the secondary. They can always add competition/upgrade but I'm not sure there is a dire need. Just more or less interested in how the snaps/roles of the secondary shake out.

And they did. 1 compensatory pick has now been changed to 97th overall, 3rd rounder.

Its hard to beat the Mixon restructure. Paying him less than $6m and some of that is incentive. Then off the books. Any on paper upgrade to be signed before the roster bonus would require more cash out the door and cap implications for 2 seasons or more.

Eh, Stone? Alright I guess. Young vet talent. See what happens. Like it better than Nick Scott last year but would have perferred Von Bell. But now we have the Raven's secrets. Edit: Ravens fans seem upset so I like it a little better now. Up to Lou to figure out the pieces/snaps/roles etc.

That's a lot of money for a guy I got to now look up on the interwebs. Yeah: The Phins aren't having a great offseason. They still have to do work to secure Tua long term

I think Hill and Battle have big upside. Its up to Lou to figure out all the pieces. If he needs Bell to help him do that, then I'm all for it.