2026 Off-season notes

[ArmyBengal]

I was wondering about that as well.

I didn't really think much of it until I looked at the DT rotation the Dolphins are sporting.
Yeah, they could use some help there as well, so it would be a win for them too.

Waiting and watching.  You know... that time in between the draft and training camp.
UGH

[HoosierCat]

Bengals decline the option.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2026/04/30/cincinnati-bengals-decline-to-pick-up-defensive-end-myles-murphys-nfl-fifth-year-option/89840091007/ 

They are still making mouth noises about wanting a long-term deal but given that the option was only $14.5 million I have to wonder about that.

[ArmyBengal]

I don’t think they want a long term n deal at all. I think they know they spent two high picks at DE in the last two years and signed Mafe to a big deal.

If he has a breakout year maybe someone foolishly signs him to a big deal next offseason and we net a 3rd round comp pick in return.

Thats what I think they are thinking.
I also don’t necessarily disagree.
Murphy has been less than average.

[COB]

He’s got all the incentive in the world to have a monster season and get paid.  Here or somewhere else.  I’m rooting for him for both selfish and unselfish reasons.  It’s hard to envision him having that kind of season though.

[Prophecy]

Decline the option. GENIUS !!!

So, I guess we can all look forward to the Bengals spending another 1st or 2nd Rd pick on a DE next year (because 3 in the last 3 years clearly wasnt enough). 

Look, I know a lot of people don't like Myles Murphy after his first 2 years (I didnt either) but let's look at this with a fresh set of eyes based on 2025 and beyond.

Murphy came off a 5.5 Sack Season with improved play vs. the run and they dont want to pay him $14.5 million?

Does ANYONE think that Boye Mafe will be a Bengal after next season (only 1st yr guaranteed) if he ends up with like 6 sacks, making $20 million a year? Hell No.

Not if $14.5M is too expensive for 5.5 Sacks . Cap Casualty.

So that will leave them with Shemar Stewart and Cashius Howell.

They need to start using these premium draft picks on the Oline, Secondary and LB corps. Or have the option if a freak TE or WR falls to you in the draft.

ENOUGH bad decisions and high draft picks (or reaching) on DE's. 

[ArmyBengal]

Here’s how I view this. 
Murphy has more often sucked major ass than not.  The Bengals would typically just pick up options because they could. In this instance they don’t have to and by not doing so provides extreme motivation for Murphy to ball out this year.

The Bengals are betting that doesn’t happen and with many people already commenting on how Howell has the ability to take the other DE starting spot, I’m guessing their bet is a solid one.

Murphy has cost this team for years and honestly I will be happy to see him walk.

[COB]

If the bengals really want to sign him to a long term deal, Myles should absolutely take it.  Let’s say 12 million a year for 4 years.  48 million bucks, and the bengals being the Bengals, that is essentially a guaranteed contract.  They’ll pay the whole thing out.  
 

The alternative?  Myles bets on himself and one of two things happen: 1. He reverts to the mean and has to scrounge a deal that will likely have an easy out for the team after two years. 2. He balls out next year, then gets a deal but with only one good year whoever signs him will want escapability.  Only Mike Brown will honor the whole contract just based on old fashioned principle.

Myles is not that good and he should take a deal with salary commensurate with his middling contributions, but with the one team that will be satisfied with his Count Chocula fueled mediocrity.  

[HoosierCat]

Today’s lunch report. Consumed:

One (1) Beef ‘n Cheddar

Three (3) potato cakes

One (1) diet Coke 

Approximately five hundred twenty seven (~527) articles on Joe Burrow’s Kentucky Derby outfit.

[ArmyBengal]

And then there's Deandre Hopkins Super Bowl hunting and saying how he would love to play with Joe Burrow.
Look, I don't blame any player for wanting to play with Burrow, especially a wide receiver.
I also happen to love Hopkins from his time with the Texans and wouldn't mind adding him to the mix.
The Ravens paid him $5 million last year.  There's room.

I won't be upset if it doesn't happen though.

[COB]

9 hours ago, HoosierCat said:

Today’s lunch report. Consumed:

One (1) Beef ‘n Cheddar

Three (3) potato cakes

One (1) diet Coke 

Approximately five hundred twenty seven (~527) articles on Joe Burrow’s Kentucky Derby outfit.

I honestly think I could eat infinite potato cakes.  

[COB]

Great Derby, by the way.  Really enjoyed it.  The Burrow pink suit came down the backstretch in last and stayed in last.

[HoosierCat]

Derby is old news. Now it’s ~847 articles about his Met Gala outfit.

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/story/joe-burrow-met-gala-2026

Joe Burrow, clothes horse.

[ArmyBengal]

I think most of it is that I'm just older and don't care, but I don't get fashion.
Apparently in 2026 fashion equals looking like a complete clown show.
Seriously, shit just looks stupid.

[HoosierCat]

Don’t ask me, man, I still need clothes with Garanimals tags to dress myself.

[ArmyBengal]

I don't know.  I'm a comfort kind of guy and always have been.
If it's comfortable and looks decent enough, I'm about it.
If anyone else thinks it looks decent enough is not a concern I am shackled with.
Being free is not caring what other people think.

My son's girlfriend told me that men that wear sweatpants have given up.
I said yes, given up on worrying about what people think about my sweatpants.
By the way, they are Under Armour joggers and I love them.

[HoosierCat]

Sweats and a hoodie are my basic uniform. If that’s giving up, I happily surrender.

[COB]

I can’t wear sweats.  But I’ve found myself falling into a pattern.  If I buy a pair of pants I like that actually fit, I buy another.  End result - right now I have two pairs of pants, but 2 or 3 editions of each.  So every day it’s the grey canvas pants I got online, or the tan canvas pants I got at a store called Vance’s.  And hooded sweatshirts are a gift from god.  

[ArmyBengal]

For work it’s Under Armour golf pants and a polo typically. Like COB, I have about 6 different colors of the same pants and about 10 colors of the same polo.

Now I will admit to having a bit of a shoe thing going on. Hoodies use to be my go to and now it’s fleece 1/4 zips. Yeah, about 10 different colors of the same on there too.

Seems like just as good conversation as anything else this time of the year.

[HoosierCat]

Yeah, Amazon has cheap own-brand chinos for like $20 a pop, so I have about 6 pairs in different colors and 6-8 polos from Penny’s because they are one of the few places I can find tall sizes.

[COB]

I need talls as well, and Eddie Bauer used to make about everything in talls.  But they changed owners and the new guys don’t know how to do anything so they’re tanking.  JC Penny, here I come!

[ArmyBengal]

Under Armour gives Veterans a 40% discount 2-3 times a year and I stock up. Tall?  No, “under” tall. I fit well in coach seats.

[ArmyBengal]

You want to know how I know I'll never grow up?

Whenever I read a story about the Colts offense and their coordinator "Jim Bob Cooter", I can't help but laugh.
What a great name.

[COB]

He actually seems good, that’s the amazing thing.  You expect him to be a, a, I don’t t know how to put it.  

[COB]

Important update, I wore a flannel shirt to the dentist this morning.  It’s a shirt I usually only wear in the winter, but it was chilly up here in central Ohio so decided to get a little crazy.

[ArmyBengal]

Way to step out on that limb COB !!