2026 FA Thread | S Bryan Cook 3/40m | DE Boye Mafe 3/60m | DT Jonathan Allen 2/28m | QB Josh Johnson 1/1m | S Kyle Dugger 1/?m

[Stripes]

Kyle Duggar, S, signed. Former Steeler and Patriot.

He forced that week 1 goal line fumble on Tanner Hudson that ruined 2024. He’s been iffy overall, so meh?

I doubt they’re taking Downs then (which would be a bad process).

[ArmyBengal]

If Dugger is what keeps them from drafting Downs or any safety prospect, they are stupid.
For perspective, Dugger graded out as a worse safety than Stone.  Let that sink in.

Just goes to show they aren't as high on Battle as they have led on to be, which I was hoping was the case.
If that can be drawn, then the addition of Downs (if he's there) should still be on the table.

Not only that, but the potential to have an impact player for 5 years (including the option) on their rookie deal, at a position you don't like to pay long term should be viewed as extremely valuable.

[HoosierCat]

31 minutes ago, ArmyBengal said:

If Dugger is what keeps them from drafting Downs or any safety prospect, they are stupid.

I mean, we know they are stupid, so…

[HoosierCat]

Apparently we also signed a corner, Ja’sir Taylor. Fourth year player, former Chargers 6th round pick. PFF:

Ja'Sir Taylor is a cornerback for the New York Jets who earned a 41.1 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 0th among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His PFF coverage grade of 50.3 ranked 0th among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His run-defense grade of 28.1 ranked 0th at the position.

He recorded 0 interceptions on the season. Taylor broke up 1 passes in coverage. He allowed a 111.5 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks. He surrendered 5 receptions in coverage. He also contributed 8 solo tackles in run support and open-field situations.

Championship.

[ArmyBengal]

They are really bringing in some stellar guys to fill out the roster, eh?

Begs to ask the question...
Working hard or hardly working?
I'm guessing the latter.

[HoosierCat]

39 minutes ago, ArmyBengal said:

They are really bringing in some stellar guys to fill out the roster, eh?

Begs to ask the question...
Working hard or hardly working?
I'm guessing the latter.

Ja’marr, Ja’sir, if you’re a Ja’ you’re good in Cincy!

[Stripes]

I expect them to be morons. I guess I’m looking at Styles now.

Until he goes top five.

[COB]

Mike is getting ready for the 2026 draft by slowly taking voluminous notes from the draft issue of Street & Smith’s Pro Football magazine.  
 

Plot Twist - Mike takes all his notes and advice from the 2018 edition of Street and Smith’s draft issue, and we end up taking Billy Price again.

Double Plot Twist - the Brown family can’t ever admit a mistake, so they actually sign 31 year old Billy Price to a rookie deal.

Plot Twist on PEDs - Billy Price is so peptided and roided out that Dehner proclaims him to be the surprise of camp, he’ll be competing for a starting job come week one!  Before camp ends, Mike has a Tiger woods episode in his golf cart and runs over Price while he’s stretching.  Knocks out 3 teeth and detaches both retinas, Billy Price can never play again.  
 

Godzilla Plot Twist - Mike files a huge lawsuit against Enterprise Rental Car.  He cites some fine print from a contract he signed when he rented a Nissan Sentra in Council Bluffs, Iowa, at a hobby convention called “Midwest Sock Garter Samurai.”  The jury buys Mike’s argument that the contract should be interpreted to cover him driving any vehicle (including golf carts) for 3 weeks from date of signing.  He gets a billion dollar payout which drives Enterprise into bankruptcy.  Good try Enterprise, but Mike files a lien on all their assets the day before they file for bankruptcy.  Mike now owns Enterprise Rental Car.  By now it’s time for the 2027 draft, and in the first round Mike picks a slot receiver from Holy Cross who won the NCAA Decathlon and has the largest hands ever measured at the Combine.  
 

[Prophecy]

This is what "All In" looks like.

 

[Coltsguy451]

Signing Dugger seems like fish-lipping a joint. Need to wring it out first...

 

[ArmyBengal]

Must admit I had no idea what the heck fish lipping meant. Thank you Google machine.

I thought maybe it was some cool slang only weed smokers knew.

Well… Happy Easter everyone !!

[HoosierCat]

Yeah back in my day it was a common phrase except the first word wasn’t fish. It was that one starting with n…

[ArmyBengal]

Ouch

[ArmyBengal]

In the line of thought of it will never happen, DT Dexter Lawrence from the Giants has requested a trade.  That would take a lot in return.

[HoosierCat]

Yeah it’s basically the same issue Trey ran into last year. No one wants to give up draft picks and a new big bucks contract for a 28 (29 in November) year old player. Especially after forking over so much for Allen, I don’t see them doing anything like that.

[ArmyBengal]

This year and next years 2nd rounder and one of either Jenkins or McKinley. Probably not enough but that would be going all in.

[ArmyBengal]

Why is Oren Burk still on this roster outside of camp legs?
They could save over $2 million getting rid of him.

My biggest fear is that our shiny new DE Mafe is going to be the 2026 version of Oren Burk.
Never got starter snaps, people talk him up, the Bengals give him a contract, and they shit the bed.

[Prophecy]

I'll admit, when i saw that Dexter Lawrence wanted a trade, I immediately thought, get on the damn phone!!!

Then reality sunk in and I realized, that even if they did give up some picks, they would NEVER give him the new contract he is looking for. They would try and make him play out the 2 years left. Also, Mikey and family dont guarantee anything more than the 1st year, and the reason why Sexy Dexy wants a trade is because he wants a new market rate deal with guaranteed money (his deal has no guarantees left).

 

[TJJackson]

so cutting Matt Lee......

all I want to say is that I never quit a job without already having a replacement job lined up.......its common sense

Of course, no one has ever accused SoaG of possessing common sense

They have no replacement lined up......both of their backup centers are gone in the last 48 hours

[ArmyBengal]

The lack of depth on the o-line is staggering and concerning.
Couple that with needing so much defensive help and this isn't shaping up well.

[ArmyBengal]

16 hours ago, Prophecy said:

I'll admit, when i saw that Dexter Lawrence wanted a trade, I immediately thought, get on the damn phone!!!

Then reality sunk in and I realized, that even if they did give up some picks, they would NEVER give him the new contract he is looking for. They would try and make him play out the 2 years left. Also, Mikey and family dont guarantee anything more than the 1st year, and the reason why Sexy Dexy wants a trade is because he wants a new market rate deal with guaranteed money (his deal has no guarantees left).

Yeah, it's a shame really.  For me, this would be a draft day trade where #10 could be on the table.
If we went on the clock and all the main guys I like are gone, I would be open to deal the pick for Lawrence.
Buuuuuuuut, as mentioned, I do not envision any scenario where the Bengals pay him what he wants.

File this under pipe dream 2026.
Along with a free agency period that included linebacker, d-line help that wasn't 70 or a backup up last year, o-line depth or many of the other positions that could have used an upgrade.

You know....  the Bengals way.

[ArmyBengal]

If the reports are true that the Bengals are working a trade for Lawrence which would include the 10th overall BEFORE draft night, are you in favor?

I’m in favor of a draft day trade including the 10th IF all other players they covet are gone when they go on the clock. Missing out on a player like Downs, Styles, Bains and a few more seems like an awful lot.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d be happy with the addition but it seems risky.

https://x.com/RichJohnsonNFL/status/2044423836985106931?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^tweet

 

[HoosierCat]

As far as I know that guy is full of it. As for the trade, no. I’ll swap a defensive lineman, tho, their choice!

[ArmyBengal]

Yeah, not thinking there's truth there, but more the consideration than anything.
Just curious the thoughts from our peanut gallery.

I would love to add a guy like Lawrence and think he would definitely go a long way in the rebuild of the defense.  Just not sure I'd be willing to make the move before the draft for #10.  A second rounder and a sweetener in 2027?  Do that now.  There is no Dexter Lawrence in this draft.