The hype of free agency has come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 15th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s chat about the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cincinnati Bengals
Key acquisitions: T Orlando Brown Jr., G Cody Ford, TE Irv Smith Jr., S Nick Scott, CB Sidney Jones, DE Tarell Basham
Re-signed: LB Germaine Pratt, S Michael Thomas, WR Trent Taylor, RB Trayveon Williams, G Max Scharping, TE Drew Sample
Departures: S Jessie Bates (Falcons), S Vonn Bell (Panthers), TE Hayden Hurst (Panthers), RB Samaje Perine (Broncos)
Remaining free agents: CB Eli Apple, CB Tre Flowers
Analysis: Once again, a big offseason for the Cincinnati Bengals. After losing in the AFC Championship, the Bengals had a lot of free agents to deal with along with upgrades needed to the roster. The made a big splash, re-signed a starter, but lost several key players.
One of the biggest moves in all of free agency was the signing of offensive tackle Orlando Brown to a massive four-year contract. Last year, the Bengals signed three new starters on an improved line, but once injuries hit late in the season, it all fell apart. Brown was a stud right tackle for the Ravens, but once he got a taste for the left side, he demanded a trade to the Chiefs, and was fine, but not as good as he was in Baltimore. He got the franchise tag last year, and signs with Cincy this year and is expected to be the left tackle, moving former first-round pick Jonah Williams elsewhere. The Bengals are adamant that Williams will stay and compete at right tackle, held by La’el Collins. There were talks of releasing Collins that haven’t happened yet, and there are still talks of moving Williams in a trade.
The Bengals also brought in versatile lineman Cody Ford, formerly of the Bills and Cardinals. I don’t see him taking a starting job, but he provides very good depth in the event of an injury. Right guard Alex Cappa is coming off injury, so there’s opportunity for Ford.
After a solid season for Cincy, Hayden Hurst signed a multi-year deal with the Panthers. He is replaced by former Vikings second-round pick Irv Smith Jr. Poised for a breakout in 2021, the tight end missed the entire season due to injury, and was replaced by T.J. Hockenson in the starting lineup in 2022. He’s an athletic freak that gets added to an already elite Bengals pass catching core.
Starting linebacker Germaine Pratt gets a three-year extension. He returns to lead that defense that lost it’s leaders in the secondary. After five seasons, star safety Jessie Bates left and signed with the Falcons. Fellow safety Vonn Bell signed with the Panthers, so the Bengals signed former Rams starter Nick Scott to a three-year deal. A rotational player his first three seasons, Scott was a full-time starter in 2022, playing in 97% of snaps. They also brought in Sidney Jones to provide cornerback depth with Eli Apple and Tre Flowers still free agents. He’ll get a chance for some significant playing time alongside Chidobe Awuzie and Cam Taylor-Britt.
Conclusion: A lot of big defensive changes for the Bengals. The secondary is big time different without Bates and Bell, but this is a very talented team and shouldn’t experience many hiccups. The offense is only gonna get better, as long as the line clicks and stays healthy. Joe Mixon’s future is very up in the air, and with Samaje Perine in Denver, running back could be a point of emphasis in the draft. I expect that and defensive back to be the Bengals focus, along with offensive line depth. The Bengals are so close to a championship. They just need the little things to click, and the big names will do the rest.
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