2025 FA Thread | Rehkow 2y/2m | Rankins Cut

[ArmyBengal]

55 minutes ago, AMPHAR said:

Fans can believe and lick up whatever bullshit they want.   There would be no excuse for a bad season because of Tee playing on a tag.  

That's because you make the assumption he will play on the tag.
I'm not even close to being convinced that would happen.
No issue because I'm not totally against the idea.
To dismiss the risk seems silly though.

[AMPHAR]

Quote

There are way too many teams hoping to land Higgins. The Patriots are expected to offer him $30+ million. The Chargers, Jaguars, Titans and Steelers are all teams that are eyeing Higgins. He will have other dark horse suitors.

I would expect Higgins to get up to $35 million per season.

From SI and James Rapien.    Personally this sounds like James doing a solid for the agent and Higgins.   If a team wants to give Tee $30m+ per year more power to them.

 

[ArmyBengal]

Of course some team is going to give Tee big money.  It's what I've been saying.
Why?  Because some teams are bad enough and have money to burn they will give him the coin in the hopes he's a true number one WR.  They will take their shot and spend the money.  It won't hurt some teams because they don't currently have anyone else who's play requires a top of the market contract.  Think having a top end QB on his rookie deal.  Things are easier to navigate until that bill comes due.

Granted, I don't think Tee is either a true #1 WR and don't think he's worth $30m per season.  However, what I think or even know is completely irrelevant to what some team will surely do.  They won't be thinking about him not being what they thought and cutting him 2-3 later because the team still sucks.

AJ Green tells the cautionary tale of leaving an above average QB.  Honestly, if Tee were really smart, he'd take a fair deal here to keep things together.  They are going to follow the money of course, but as I've heard my whole life, "all money is not good money".

[AMPHAR]

49 minutes ago, ArmyBengal said:

That's because you make the assumption he will play on the tag.
I'm not even close to being convinced that would happen.
No issue because I'm not totally against the idea.
To dismiss the risk seems silly though.

Tee Higgins has played less than 55% of the offensive snaps the past 2 years.   He's only played 60% of offensive snaps the past 4 years.   Its likely Tee is missing more than half the snaps playing on the tag, long term deal, or with another team. 

 

[AMPHAR]

Teams can sign Tee to a contract that's says $35 per year all day long.  Good for Tee.   Tag him and then trade him.

Higgins would be a fool to pass that up if its reality.   The Bengals would be committing roster malpractice to match.   They have the medicals etc.  He's played 60% of snaps the last 4 seasons and its been declining.   The last time he played 70%+ was 2020.

Keep in mind the majority of reports from last year's TC said it was his best camp/off season.  His body failed him anyway.

A fair deal for Higgins is what Joe said.  Do the Eagles model.  That's Devonta Smith deal.  Which would pay him $33m over 2 years, $48m over 3, and $69 over 4 and simultaneously giving the Bengals an out after year 2.    

Higgins would be a fool to accept a fair deal for fantasy free agency fest. 

Thus it would be wise for the Bengals to tag AND fans would be wise to ignore any chicken little bullshit about speculation of the locker room falling apart. 

However, Rapien speculation and all the others is mostly agent driven hyping up the client right before FA.   Good for Tee.  I'd really wouldn't want to see the Bengals lock themselves into Tee past 2027.

 

 

 

 

 

[HoosierCat]

2 hours ago, zbeaster said:

I agree. Tee is obviously awesome but I think letting him walk may just be the best option for the team.

They've more or less telegraphed that's the plan for two years now. It's how they roll.

[Stripes]

I think it was the plan, but Jermaine Burton being worse than useless has forced them to reconsider.

I expect a second tag, but they may still try to get a proper extension done.

Whatever they do, they’d better communicate with the player. Stop just doing things and expecting people to fall in line. Talk to them.

[AMPHAR]

Aside from him playing only 60% of snaps for 4 years.  Firing his agent and ignoring the recent rumors of contract talks.   Yes, this was telegraphed for two years, lol.

  Ignore everything its just the way they roll, lol. 

 

 

[Stripes]

Just now, AMPHAR said:

Aside from him playing only 60% of snaps.  Firing his agent and ignoring the recent rumors of contract talks.   Yes, this was telegraphed for two years, lol.

 Its amazing the logic used around here sometimes.

Agreed. For instance, there’s some terrible logic necessary to argue that “The Bengals are modernized because they have won more games than some other teams”.

[AMPHAR]

1 minute ago, Stripes said:

Agreed. For instance, there’s some terrible logic necessary to argue that “The Bengals are modernized because they have won more games than some other teams”.

Being a winning franchise doesn't support the front office being Archaic, right?   Tee Higgins only being available for 60% of snaps, firing his agent, and the rumors of current contract talks certainly disputes that this was their plan for two years, right?

Ignore facts keep bitterness of the 90s handy is a much better approach. 

 

 

 

[HoosierCat]

7 minutes ago, AMPHAR said:

Aside from him playing only 60% of snaps for 4 years.  Firing his agent and ignoring the recent rumors of contract talks.   Yes, this was telegraphed for two years, lol.

  Ignore everything its just the way they roll, lol. 

 

 

Yup. When they didn’t extend him or move him in 2023, the writing was on the wall. Plan was to tag him in 2024 (done), draft his replacement that April (done) and let him walk in 2025 (tick tick tick).

[Stripes]

4 minutes ago, AMPHAR said:

Being a winning franchise doesn't support the front office being Archaic, right?   Tee Higgins only being available for 60% of snaps, firing his agent, and the rumors of current contract talks certainly disputes that this was their plan for two years, right?

Ignore facts keep bitterness of the 90s handy is a much better approach. 

 

 

 

It doesn’t support or refute it.

You want to talk about logic? It’s a non-sequitur.

The Bengals could be the winningest franchise in the league, and it would still mean nothing with respect to the question “are they archaic?”.

There are plenty of valid arguments that the Bengals are modern enough. You just chose a terrible one. Normally, I wouldn’t be a pedant, but you brought up logic and I couldn’t let that slide.

Make better arguments if you’re going to say that.

[AMPHAR]

Just now, HoosierCat said:

Yup. When they didn’t extend him or move him in 2023, the writing was on the wall. Plan was to tag him in 2024 (done), draft his replacement that April (done) and let him walk in 2025 (tick tick tick).

Right.   Tee just happend to fire his agent.  Tee just happened to hire Chase's agent.  Then by some miracle of GOD this agent is rumored to be in talks with the Bengals.

But according to you the Bengals plan all along was to have him walk and this was set in stone for 2 years.  WTF?

 

 

[ArmyBengal]

Set in stone?  No, not at all.  Part of a plan (one which could change)?  YES.
There's no refuting the fact everyone knew how this was going to play out.
Well, anyone that knows how this has played out previously.

I can recall making comments on this board earlier than that, that if Tee were to keep being a factor for this offense (which he still is even a reduced role) there would be no way for them to keep him, Chase and Burrow.  Why?  Because the market dictates what these players are worth, not the fans.

I would love him to take a Pittman style deal, but why do that when one of these teams with money to burn will back up the truck to your doorstep?  Unless playing with the buddies he has made here and being a contender is more valuable, then I still see him leaving.

As always for all players...  how much does winning really mean to you?

EDIT: We hear all the time they just want to be able to take care of their families.  I'm still not sure what the hell that means, because he has made nearly $32 million over the course of being in the NFL since 2020.  Over that same course of time, I haven't made a million, but take care of mine and other families like a madman.  Maybe we have different definitions of what that means.

[Stripes]

I think he’s gone if even his little toenail touches the free agency market. He’ll get some absurd offer the Bengals will never match.

So the tag feels inevitable to me. I just hope they handle it the right way. That should be the easy part, but they continue to find ways to piss everyone off.

[AMPHAR]

1 minute ago, Stripes said:

It doesn’t support or refute it.

You want to talk about logic? It’s a non-sequitur.

The Bengals could be the winningest franchise in the league, and it would still mean nothing with respect to the question “are they archaic?”.

There are plenty of valid arguments that the Bengals are modern enough. You just chose a terrible one. Normally, I wouldn’t be a pedant, but you brought up logic and I couldn’t let that slide.

Make better arguments if you’re going to say that.

The Bengals being a winning franchise refutes the claim they are Archaic.  If you want to argue with the Scoreboard when determining football effectiveness.  Have at it.

Tee Higgins firing his agent.  Hiring Chase's agent.  Then that agent rumored to be in talks with the Bengals.   Clearly refutes Tee leaving in Free Agency was the Bengals plan.

Better arguments have been made.  You've read them  You still take issue with them.   Why?

[ArmyBengal]

1 minute ago, AMPHAR said:

The Bengals being a winning franchise refutes the claim they are Archaic.  If you want to argue with the Scoreboard when determining football effectiveness.  Have at it.

Tee Higgins firing his agent.  Hiring Chase's agent.  Then that agent rumored to be in talks with the Bengals.   Clearly refutes Tee leaving in Free Agency was the Bengals plan.

Better arguments have been made.  You've read them  You still take issue with them.   Why?

I cannot recall an entire post made by a person here I disagreed with more emphatically.  Not mad at you, but boy that's an interesting perspective you hold there.

[AMPHAR]

The fact he fired his agent and hired Chase's agent.  Then that agent is rumored to have had contract extension talks last week.   Tells me the Bengals didn't telegraph this for two years they were moving on.   Tells me they want to try to work something out IF they can get the money right for both parties.

Its about his value that's variable factor.  Not the Bengals deciding to move on and that's that. They wouldn't be talking at all. 

 

[COB]

In my opinion tagging Tee once and replacing him through the draft (Burton) so he can go FA in ‘25 was always the Bengals’ plan.  
 

I honestly think it would still be the plan but for the players/agents getting together and declaring their love for each other, and publicly pressuring the FO to re-sign him.  
 

How is the Bengals’ front office taking it?  Are they on board?  Not on board?  That’s one of the frustrating things about how the Browns run things.  Pretty close to the vest, on all things.  

[HoosierCat]

2 hours ago, COB said:

In my opinion tagging Tee once and replacing him through the draft (Burton) so he can go FA in ‘25 was always the Bengals’ plan.

I honestly think it would still be the plan but for the players/agents getting together and declaring their love for each other, and publicly pressuring the FO to re-sign him.  

How is the Bengals’ front office taking it?  Are they on board?  Not on board?  That’s one of the frustrating things about how the Browns run things.  Pretty close to the vest, on all things.  

Yup, that’s where I’m at as well. Ultimately I don’t think they pull the trigger. They haven’t since Pickens and that’s not exactly a precedent to cite. 

[Stripes]

Burton was definitely the plan. All he had to do was flash some meaningful upside and not be a moron, and the Bengals would have followed through. I think it was a crap plan just like Bates/Hill, but it was the plan.

But then Burton Burtoned as hard as he possibly could. We’ll see. If that idiot actually motivates Tee’s extension, we might owe him a beer.

[TJJackson]

What needs to happen with Burden is pretty simple - assign him a minder who has the responsibility of being with him during team hours and authorized to pay his bills - including but not limited to rent - from Burden's account

Like an adult babysitter, basically

The minder is tasked with keeping him out of trouble, paying bills, and making sure he is present and on time for all team activities

[ArmyBengal]

Housh made the comment after a “LOOOOOONG” meeting with Burton that he needed to decide if he wanted to play football or not. That was November of last year. Burton strikes me as the kid who wants to play but not put in the work to actually do that.

Pull your head out of your ass Jermaine.
You are fucking up your one opportunity.

Baffles me how they can’t see the forest.
Damn trees…

[HoosierCat]

One thing I learned very early on is that the saying about how 80 percent of life is just showing up, is 100 percent true. I’ve met any number of people who  are supremely talented, yet fail because they can’t do something as simple as get to work by 9 consistently. 

[COB]

3 hours ago, ArmyBengal said:

Housh made the comment after a “LOOOOOONG” meeting with Burton that he needed to decide if he wanted to play football or not. 

The fact that if he wanted to play football or not was identified as an issue (while on an nfl roster) tells me everything.  He doesn’t want to play football.