Week 18: Bengals @ Steelers

[HoosierCat]

34 minutes ago, ArmyBengal said:

I know he’s here for 2025 and he’s not getting younger but I’d really like to see a couple more seasons with T-Rex !!

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.

[AMPHAR]

I would like the Bengals to explore trading Trey IF they can't get him locked up further.   I would think he would hold out in the offseason if an extension can't be reached.      The hard part with Trey is he has earned a significant pay raise at the same time he's hitting 30 and has played a whole bunch of snaps with the Bengals.  Also have a coordinator change.

Both Geno and Carlos didn't finish their last extension with the Bengals.  Geno broke down unfortunately and Carlos production declined and didn't like Lou.   

An ideal situation would be get him locked up to 2027 but he may want $$$ amount that requires a longer contract.  

 

[HoosierCat]

8 hours ago, AMPHAR said:

I would like the Bengals to explore trading Trey IF they can't get him locked up further. 

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.

[HoosierCat]

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...

[COB]

I think it’s up to Hendrickson.  If his agent wants to pound the table and lean on this season’s sack lead, then I could see him getting traded.  
 

If the bengals need money look at Hubbard, Cappa, and Sheldon Rankins.  They could easily cut all 3 of those guys and free up some major cash.  I don’t know where they’ll find a starting guard and a rotational d-end.

[ArmyBengal]

I don’t want Trey to go anywhere.
Who’s going to get to the QB ??

There is literally no one else applying much pass rush outside of him. The secondary would be further scathed if the opposing QB has all day to pick them apart.

[Stripes]

I'd rather lose Tee than Trey.

[ArmyBengal]

29 minutes ago, Stripes said:

I'd rather lose Tee than Trey.

Agree

[HoosierCat]

1 hour ago, Stripes said:

I'd rather lose Tee than Trey.

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.

[AMPHAR]

13 hours ago, HoosierCat said:

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.

Here's the thing with Dehner AND all the other local guys.  They are so far up Burrow's ass.   They been doing this whole "Burrow's mad" routine the entire season.    I've never heard anything from the front office/coaching staff other than hoping Higgins is back.    As a matter of fact they sent out a warning shot to all teams last year about signing him to an offer sheet.

Using Dehner's numbers from the article.  $25-30m annual.   That would be a disaster at Higgins stats the past two years and playing 54% of offensive snaps.   Would put more pressure on filling all other areas with crazy good draft finds and 3rd tier Free Agent finds.

That's the sticking point.   Chiefs didn't pay a single WR. Didn't really pay tackles. Probably going to lose some IOL.  Every week it seems their defense sets them up for a win and Mahomes or refs put the final touches on the victory.   Mahomes is getting knocked down a slightly lower number than Burrow.    The offense powerhouse in KC is a memory.   

I get tired of hearing/reading about Burrow sending a warning shot or whatever.   Are any of these guys going to hold Burrow accountable IF the Bengals pay Chase, Higgins and that method of roster building produces great offense but no championships?   I seriously doubt it.  

At the end of the day this has always been a 0 sum game.   Pay someone (which they will).  The position group that isn't paid will then be looking at the "Rankins" type FAs and young draft picks.  

 

 

 

[zbeaster]

15 hours ago, Stripes said:

I'd rather lose Tee than Trey.

Agreed.

[TJJackson]

15 hours ago, HoosierCat said:

The defense had Trey and still sucked donkey balls.

while I get that, I'd still say Trey is part of the solution and not part of the problem

That said, i think I see some light at the end of the tunnel on the DLine.  Ossai, Mt McKinley, Jenkins, and even Johnson dramatically improved their play.  The only outlier was Murphy.   I really hope he gets his shit together over the course of the offseason, because athletically he has the tools

OG looks like it will be a major problem going into 2025.  Volson, dude, what happened?  You were doing well before.

Whatever changes they make, the glaring problem that needs to be in focus at all times is the annual september suckage

[ArmyBengal]

Ok, the defense still sucked WITH Trey.
What will they be without him?
He's literally had more sacks than ALL of the other D-linemen put together.
There were 1.5 sacks produced by the secondary.

It worries me to think about what losing that kind of production and the impact of those sacks means for a defense that was worse than atrocious the entire season.  I don't think there is enough improvement on the part of those on the roster, enough money for free agents or enough experience in draft picks to replicate 17.5 sacks.

If by looking at the current roster, that will take 8 MORE players.  However, that also includes Carter who no longer plays for the Bengals and Hubbard who probably won't be in 2025.  So call that 10 players.  Oh wait, BJ Hill's a free agent as well.  Oops, so is Joseph Ossai.  This is getting worse.

Now, is there a top end DE out there to be had that can bring sacks?  Sure, but weren't we told the same thing about Myles Murphy and his ability to get home?  Lets take a look at how many sacks he had in 2024.  Looking, looking....  oh there it is ZERO.

I love Tee and want him back, but if I'm put in a position to bring back one or the other, give me Trey.
I will wish Tee the best, root for him when he doesn't play us and watch him go.

[AMPHAR]

3 rookies surpassed Tee.  Another 3 rookies surpassed Tee's 2023 numbers or close enough.   I believe all were 1st/2nd rounders.   So its not some wild irresponsible roster move to go pick 17 or 39 and replace Tee. 

I'd give the Bengals an A+ getting Chase, Higgins, Hendrickson extend out to 2026 or 2027.   I'd really be worried if the price for Higgins was $25-$30m.    He'd have to jump his production up by increasing his availability.

He'll go from fan favorite to asshole real fast pulling some of the stuff that went on this year.  Not saying it was on purpose or anything like that, but coming up lame Thursday before the opener sucked.  Missing KC sucked.  Then a total of 5 games then at a few times sitting on the bench.   Knowing how the year panned out, its hard to say he was worth the tag.

I'd say tag Higgins this year with the full intent to sign before draft or trade.   Then by draft weekend you should know the Trey situation IF they don't already and be prepared to move him if need be.