2026 FA Thread

[HoosierCat]

And right on cue, the dumbfuckery begins. In the Enquirer today, Kelsey Conway writes this:

Quote

Cincinnati is not expected to make any decision on Hendrickson’s future before the NFL combine in Indianapolis next week, a source told The Enquirer.

Translation: The Bengals will use the week in Indianapolis to gather information from other teams on their potential interest in Hendrickson. From there, Cincinnati’s front office will have a better understanding of where things stand on the Hendrickson front.

The only way there's a "market" for the Bengals regarding Hendrickson is the "tag and trade" scenario. If I am another team, I am definitely saying I'm interested even if I'm not, because Cincy tagging Trey immediately hamstrings them in FA by instantly chewing up half their cap space.

Just let him go. 

[ArmyBengal]

What would make the Bengals think they could pull off a tag and trade with Trey?

Consider if you will the fact they have never once in their existence tagged and then traded a player.
Like in forever.  For ever ever.

Here's another thought to consider... if no one would give up a 3rd or 4th last year AND pay Trey, what would make the Bengals think they would this year, while paying him more than last year and knowing he missed more than half the games last season with an injury?

At this point, the Bengals should let him walk and hopes a team gets desperate and signs him to a big deal, which would result in a higher comp pick in 2027.  Agree with Hoosier, just let him go and move on with improving the defense without the sheer stupidity that will surely ensue if they tag him again.

The Cincinnati Bengals.
The physical embodiment of not seeing the forest for the trees.

[HoosierCat]

I keep seeing this trade, or something similar, suggested. This is from Barnwell at espn:

Quote

Bengals get: DT Kenny Clark, 2027 seventh-round pick
Cowboys get: 2027 sixth-round pick

The Clark era might not last long in Dallas. Acquired as part of the Micah Parsons deal, Clark's contract was a relative bargain in 2025, given that the Cowboys were on the hook for only his $1.3 million base salary and another $1 million in per-game roster bonuses. Clark wasn't single-handedly able to fix Dallas' defense, but he also wasn't the problem.

In 2026, though, Clark is set to make $21.5 million -- $11 million of which comes due in a mid-March roster bonus. He projects to have the fifth-largest cap hit of any Cowboys player. The problem is that the fourth-largest cap hit belongs to fellow defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, whom the Cowboys sent two premium picks to the Jets to acquire at the trade deadline. And the sixth-largest cap hit belongs to fellow tackle Osa Odighizuwa, whose $16.25 million base salary is guaranteed.

Clark's money isn't guaranteed, and it's unlikely that he would be in position to land that same $21.5 million in 2026 compensation if he hits free agency. Grady Jarrett signed a three-year, $42.5 million deal with the Bears after the Falcons cut him last offseason, and I suspect Clark might be looking at something closer to that range as a free agent.

So, if the Cowboys are going to cut Clark and he won't land the same caliber of contract in free agency, the alternative might include taking a pay cut to the $14 million range and netting the Cowboys a swap of late-round picks in the process. Clark might not be willing to accommodate the Cowboys, and the former UCLA Bruin might prefer a move out west, but this deal would be an opportunity for him to reunite with former Packers defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery, who oversaw Clark's work during his best seasons in Green Bay.

Montgomery needs all the help he can get in Cincinnati, where the Bengals ranked 29th in EPA per play against designed rushes last season. Trey Hendrickson is likely to depart in free agency, leaving the Bengals with a need for defensive line help and some cash to work with this offseason. Getting a like-for-like replacement on the edge would be ideal, but Joseph Ossai is coming off a quietly solid season, and the Bengals used their first-round pick a year ago on Shemar Stewart. Both should see significant time on the edge in 2026, even though Stewart barely registered in his rookie season.

Slotting Clark in on the interior would give the Bengals a valuable tackle to rotate alongside B.J. Hill and T.J. Slaton Jr. They don't trade picks very often, but the Bengals have to approach this offseason with a stronger sense of urgency than they have in years past. Clark won't single-handedly fix their defense, but at the right price, he would be a helpful player for a team that needs to be better at rushing the quarterback and stopping the run in 2026.

Works for me. Not a game-changer but would upgrade the interior DL and gives them more flexibility in rounds 2-4.

[ArmyBengal]

Bengals apparently are extending CB Jalen Davis I saw a minute ago.

[HoosierCat]

Yeah Davis posted it to his instagram.

[Prophecy]

I'm one of the few who still want Trey around and hope somehow that happens. Mainly because i have Zero faith in the front office to draft or bring in a free agent who will put anywhere near the pressure Trey would on opposing QB's. Throw out a 3yr $75m and guarantee the first 2 years. I'd rather pay Trey $25m than a 5 sack guy like Ossai $15m, or worse, have El Cheapo's hold onto the money and call it "Profit"

The Salary Cap is going up $20m+ every year now because of the media contract. Come the f*ck on.

[COB]

13 hours ago, HoosierCat said:

And right on cue, the dumbfuckery begins. In the Enquirer today, Kelsey Conway writes this:

The only way there's a "market" for the Bengals regarding Hendrickson is the "tag and trade" scenario. If I am another team, I am definitely saying I'm interested even if I'm not, because Cincy tagging Trey immediately hamstrings them in FA by instantly chewing up half their cap space.

Just let him go. 

Gosh, I hope the Bengals can gather enough information at the combine to figure out “where things stand on the Hendrickson front.”  If they really don’t grasp where they are right now with Hendrickson, after all these several years of contract re-dos and hold outs and tags, I don’t have any idea what to say.  Hendrickson’s agent should be reading “The Delicate Art of Hostage Negotiation.”  

[ArmyBengal]

It's been a minute since I have cared much about Trey.
I loved what he has done while he has been here, but I simply think it's time to move on.
He isn't happy with the way the Bengals front office handles contracts and they aren't changing.
The only thing that leads to is what we saw last year with mudslinging and hold ins.
Not saying his hold in led to his injury, but he wasn't himself.
With slow starts being an issue for the team as a whole, that was less than helpful.

Then there's still this thing about him that irritates me to no end in that he has always taken the money offered by the Bengals and then complained about it not being enough.  At any point in time he could have bet on himself, turned down the money and hit free agency.  He never once did that.  I know it's a business and they are trying to maximize profits while they are in the window to do so, but we aren't talking about some guy who's only gotten paid on a rookie deal here.  Trey has made nearly $100m in his 9 years in the league.

With all due respect and appreciation, I will watch him walk away and move on.

[HoosierCat]

Sorcery!

Quote

The Kansas City Chiefs restructured Patrick Mahomes' contract this week, creating much-needed salary cap space ahead of the 2026 season, according to ESPN and multiple reports.

The restructuring, first reported Wednesday by Overthecap.com, converts $54.45 million of Mahomes' 2026 salary into a signing bonus and lowers the star quarterback's cap number to $34.65 million.

Mahomes was set to count for $78.2 million against the cap in 2026. The move created $43.65 million in cap space.

Just posted here for reference when the Bengals start hobsonizing the numbers and claiming they don't have room to sign anyone.

[Prophecy]

That's because KC owner Clark Hunt isn't a moron who just puts his child, his childs spouse, and other family in charge. He actually hires real GM's, VP's, Executive VP's, VP of Football Administration, etc. People who know how to run a franchise and work a salary cap.

Clark Hunt lets his daughter Gracie do marketing because she's an absolute smokeshow, but again, he's smart enough to know what role is best for everyone.

[ArmyBengal]

Restructure??  What's that??

A new kind of toilet going in down at Paycor?

[ArmyBengal]

Bengals resign WR Kendrick Pryor to a one year deal. Just a depth piece. Whatever I guess.

What about Risner ??
Can we get that done please?

[ArmyBengal]

Saw an interesting thought on trading for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Wouldn’t take much and is certainly better than anyone we’ve had these past few years.

 

[Prophecy]

Just sign Tyreek Hill to a 1 year deal, stick him in the slot, Let Burrow cook for 5,000 yds and 50 TD's and keep trying to outscore everyone.

Because same Head Coach, same D-Coordinator, and same Fake GM drafting won't change this D in 1 year, let alone this decade.

[ArmyBengal]

Sounds like he's headed for a reunion tour in KC.

[HoosierCat]

Tyreek Hill? Ha ha ha sorry fellas, you'll get Kendric Pryor and like it!

Quote

The Bengals are bringing back wide receiver Kendric Pryor for the 2026 season, re-signing the free agent to a one-year contract.

Pryor will be a second-year player in 2026 and has spent the majority of the past three seasons (’23-25) on Cincinnati’s practice squad. He appeared in two games for the Bengals as a practice squad elevation in 2024, finishing with one reception for nine yards and two kickoff returns for 43 yards.

Championship!

 

[HoosierCat]

13 hours ago, ArmyBengal said:

Bengals resign WR Kendrick Pryor to a one year deal. Just a depth piece. Whatever I guess.

What about Risner ??
Can we get that done please?

Risner? Ha ha ha fuck no we got KENDRIC PRYOR because we got our PRYOR-orities in order, amirite fellas? Fuck oline MOAR WIDE RECEIVERS!

(this post produced with assistance from MikeAI)

[HoosierCat]

A bit of personal news: I may soon be joining Army in gifting a portion of my tax dollars to an NFL billionaire! Ain’t life grand?

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47977218/indiana-unanimously-passes-bill-lure-bears-away-chicago

[ArmyBengal]

Yeah, I saw that as well.
Interesting and disturbing at the same time.

Of course, that's all you've been hoping for in life as well so that works.