2025 FA Thread: Rehkow 2y/2m | Rankins, Cappa Cut | Higgins Tagged | Hubbard Retires | Gesicki 3y/25.5m

[ArmyBengal]

We need an OG early in the draft.
I’m of the line of thought that there is no “too early” for that to become reality.

Tyler Booker in the first would be welcomed.

 

[Stripes]

I’ll take OL or DL in the first every year and be happy about it.

[AMPHAR]

I think direction of the off season is pay a lot of money to the existing offensive stars.   Build your defense via the draft.

I don't see interior o- line factoring in the first.

 

 

 

 

[ArmyBengal]

I expect them to go defense in the first round. That being said, seeing as how they don’t like to pay interior offensive linemen, why not go that route in the first so you can control them with the 5th year option?

Again not expecting it.

[HoosierCat]

I think Banks will be an attractive option if he’s there at 17. Remember, Brown’s deal is up after next season (2026) and he will be two months shy of 31 when he potentially hits FA in March 2027. And we all know how the Bengals feel about giving big money deals to guys over 30.

They could draft Banks, put him at LG where he should be an instant upgrade over Volson, then move him to LT in 2027 and still have 3 years left on his rookie deal.

[COB]

They’re going to need a linebacker and even though that position seems de-emphasized in the modern game it really shows up when you suck.  Stopping running backs for a 3 yard gain instead of a 5 yard gain hardly gets noticed.  Until you see a guy get old, ie Pratt, and suddenly it’s all five yard runs.  I think they’ll go linebacker 2nd round, typically they won’t be able to resist db in the first.  I think ND and Michigan both have DBs , some mocks have us taking the Michigan safety and I can definitely see that.  
 

on the other hand, wait until the second, and let Golden take one of his DBs from Notre dame.  

[TJJackson]

13 hours ago, Stripes said:

I’ll take OL or DL in the first every year and be happy about it.

say it with me

GIMME

A

LINEMAN

[HoosierCat]

Hubbard retires.

https://www.bengals.com/news/sam-hubbard-announces-retirement-from-pro-football

So long, Sam.

[AMPHAR]

Hubbard's rumble in the jungle should be and I think will be a signature sports play in Cincinnati ranking up  there (not surpassing) with the Pete Rose 4,192, Dillon 278 etc.

I'd go as far as saying that playoff moment should be recognized somewhere inside Paycor or on the Paycor grounds. 

Happy retirement Sam! 

[TJJackson]

Hubbard will never pay for his beer in any bar I am in, for as long as he lives

Great player, great leader, great memories

We'll miss ya Sam

[ArmyBengal]

56 minutes ago, TJJackson said:

say it with me

You get Bo !!

Say it with me you pancake eating motherfucker.

[AMPHAR]

Thuney traded to Da Bears for a 4th. 

Chiefs take a $11m dead cap hit and I guess that helps them with the tag for Smith.  They have less than $1m of cap room.  

If you like  Chiefs FA LB or Safety then there's not much the Chiefs can do about it right now until move restructures/cuts/trades are done.

 

[TJJackson]

I almost never eat pancakes, even tho I am walking distance from the Original Pancake House :-)

I dont know what Bo is :-(

[HoosierCat]

So…we are five days out from the effective start of free agency. With Cappa, Rankins and Hubbard resolved, and Tee tagged, the big moves cap-wise have been made. Factoring everything in, the Bengals have $51.8 million in cap space headed into FA.

Note that Higgins, Chase and Hendrickson combined count $66 million against the cap right now. So all three could be extended without touching any of that $51.8 million.

Should they somehow need more space, Pratt ($5.8 million in potential savings) and Stone ($6.5 million) are the two most obvious possibilities.

Just setting the stage before the curtain rises.

[HoosierCat]

Cappa gets 2 years, $11 million from the Raiders. Bad bet by Vegas, I’d say.

[COB]

5 minutes ago, HoosierCat said:

Cappa gets 2 years, $11 million from the Raiders. Bad bet by Vegas, I’d say.

WTF!  Unbelievable.  

[AMPHAR]

Probably functions as a 1 year deal with an option year.  He has a ton of starts in the league.   Better than back up money but I wouldn't say it locks them into Cappa starting either.

Wonder if the Bengals tried to trade him and teams didn't want the $8m for only 1 year?

 

[HoosierCat]

Jaxson Kirkland inked for one year.

https://www.bengals.com/news/jaxson-kirkland-contract-extension-2025-bengals-roster-update

#CHAMPIONSHIP

[ArmyBengal]

5 hours ago, TJJackson said:

I almost never eat pancakes, even tho I am walking distance from the Original Pancake House :-)

I dont know what Bo is :-(

Sorry… Draft Day movie quotes.

We go to The Pancake House all the time. Love that place !!

[HoosierCat]

So it appears things on the Tee front can be best described by that old military acronym, SNAFU.

First, we have a report from Ari Meirov, relayed here:

Quote

On the Higgins front, The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov revealed on the "Drop the Mic" podcast that the Bengals simply aren't where Higgins wants them on extension talks just yet.

"To this point, they're not at $30 million and the guarantees are not that strong...the Joe Burrow pressure is getting to the front office."

At the same time, we have this from The Athletic's Dianna Russini, relayed here:

Quote

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, multiple teams have called the Bengals about a Higgins trade since they applied the second franchise tag on the star wideout. Cincinnati's front office maintains the position that Higgins is "unavailable" while the team and player work on a long-term extension.

Come on, Katie. Either suck it up and give him his number, or take the best trade offer. What you can't do is neither.

[HoosierCat]

And on the Trey Hendrickson comps front...
 

Quote

 

Four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby agreed to a three-year, $106.5 million contract extension with the Las Vegas Raiders that makes him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday.

The extension, announced without terms by the Raiders, includes $91.5 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN, and keeps Crosby under contract through the 2029 season.

 

Now Crosby is three years younger, but still. Also holy carp, 91.5 out of 106.5 guaranteed? Crazy.

[AMPHAR]

I really don't see the value in Tee at $30m a year with Chase.  Sorry.  Tee has become the newer version of the Indoor practice field.  Signing him is more symbolism vs. benefit.   I would absolutely jump at any top 50 pick.   Don't think the Bengals can trade Tee for a slightly better comp pick.  Too much crying will happen.  I doubt teams are offering up a top 50 pick. 

Trey - I say do it unless there's a basket of picks to be had.   Although it be great to pay Trey just over the next 2 years.  But if you have to risk year 3/4.  He's just too consistent.   You'd have to get a 1st or the equivalent in a trade.   Not sure that's doable based on Hasson Reddick trade last year.

Today, they are on the hook for $48m cash AND cap with Tee and Trey.  If neither are here then that's at least $48m in cap room and realistically frees up $70m of cash.  Then you'll have some sort of picks as well.  

[HoosierCat]

Chatter in my bookface group that a Gesicki deal is done, 2 years, $16 million. Hope it’s true!

[COB]

Great on Gesicki.  The FO is going to fumble this whole thing.  It’s obvious.  Duke saying “we’re not trying to insult our top players,” the FO just stonewalling Tee as evidenced by the “they’re far apart” reports and Tee’s cap emoji.  
 

Sure Meirov can say Joe’s pressure is getting to the front office, but where’s the evidence?  Right now, this is straight Brown family behavior.  Drag things out, stonewall, offer an under market deal then just sit and let the calendar do their work.  
 

Also, signing a mid level FA like Gesicki is right in their wheelhouse.

[HoosierCat]

24 minutes ago, AMPHAR said:

I really don't see the value in Tee at $30m a year with Chase.  Sorry.  Tee has become the newer version of the Indoor practice field.  Signing him is more symbolism vs. benefit.   I would absolutely jump at any top 50 pick.   Don't think the Bengals can trade Tee for a slightly better comp pick.  Too much crying will happen.  I doubt teams are offering up a top 50 pick.

I'd agree that 30 is steep, but if they're going to keep him, that's the number. Re a trade, I doubt anyone is offering a top 50 pick either. But if the "multiple teams" rumor is true then you might be able to get a little more than a better comp pick. New England was supposedly hot for Tee. I'd take their third (69) and fifth (145). Again I'd rather keep him but if they aren't going to bite the bullet on the cost, then take the best offer and fuk the fan tears.