2 minutes ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

They did lose a linebacker as well #59.

Right, Akeem Davis-Gaither to the Cardinals, lol. 

4 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

The Bengals are doing what they always do before the draft. Find free agents to feel all the weak points so you can go with the best player available on draft day and not be forced into position shopping. I like the signings.

I agree.  They are doing what the Bengals always do.  Bringing back guys from last year that were simply not good enough.  Signing ‘value’ guys from other teams.  Haven’t seen one move that makes me think we have actually made the defense better after day one of free agency.  It’s early, plenty of time left.  My understanding is that the draft is weak on interior linemen. I expected us to be more aggressive on signing two guards.  

Just now from the Bengals:

We have re-signed unrestricted free agent DE Cam Sample to a one-year contract.

On 3/11/2025 at 1:05 AM, FatNate said:

I agree.  They are doing what the Bengals always do.  Bringing back guys from last year that were simply not good enough.  Signing ‘value’ guys from other teams.  Haven’t seen one move that makes me think we have actually made the defense better after day one of free agency.  It’s early, plenty of time left.  My understanding is that the draft is weak on interior linemen. I expected us to be more aggressive on signing two guards.  

Curious on who you would have liked to see them pursue.  I would have liked to see them get Laken Tomlinson.  Of course, they may have tried but we don't know.  Most of the signings other teams have made are the same old same old.  

4 minutes ago, REALSPORT said:

Curious on who you would have liked to see them pursue.  I would have liked to see them get Laken Tomlinson.  Of course, they may have tried but we don't know.  Most of the signings other teams have made are the same old same old.  

Free agency this year is a weak class over all.  I get it.  But have huge needs.  Glaring problems.  And we have yet to address any of them.  I have interest in Becton and Jenkins that are both left.  Honestly, believe bringing in both makes us better, but instead I fearful Cody Ford is line to be a starter next year.  I am just most concerned with the entire off season plan.  It appears we are going to run back the exact horrible defense with a few new draft picks and a new coach.  Ultimately the team is saying it was former DC Lou’s fault.  No upgrades planned but expecting better performance from those same guys with only change being the coach.  Which after another poor season on defense has a built in excuse — new system.  I can already hear Dick Tobin at 2026 combine talking about how good the D will be in year two.  By not locking up Trey, Chase, and/or Tee it’s like we are holding back money until get those deals, which means we truly don’t know how much we have available to spend.  We will never get what the reports are that the Bengals want in trade for Trey or Higgins, which just adds the commentary of the organization being a clown show.  And in my opinion shows that we never had intentions of trading either.  I don’t mind Gisicki or Perine, but I also do think either is a difference maker and would have rather went cheaper.  I am no NFL expert.  Not even close.  Hell, I can’t even win my fantasy football league.  But, I won’t be fooled again by this ownership group.  Nope, not me.  They are my team. That isn’t changing.  Just sick of making excuses for them.  Especially while I watch the Bills get better.  The Commanders improve.  Just to name a few tha have found ways to make moves to improve this off season.  Ultimately, it would be nice to see them try to make one unique or creative move — just one, for once.  And please, don’t quote who we were close to getting — we are the Bengals and NO ONE trusts our ownership — you have to overpay or they won’t come!   We should know that, so either change the narrative or draft and develop better, so you don’t have to beg free agents to come to Cincinnati. 

7 minutes ago, FatNate said:

Free agency this year is a weak class over all.  I get it.  But have huge needs.  Glaring problems.  And we have yet to address any of them.  I have interest in Becton and Jenkins that are both left.  Honestly, believe bringing in both makes us better, but instead I fearful Cody Ford is line to be a starter next year.  I am just most concerned with the entire off season plan.  It appears we are going to run back the exact horrible defense with a few new draft picks and a new coach.  Ultimately the team is saying it was former DC Lou’s fault.  No upgrades planned but expecting better performance from those same guys with only change being the coach.  Which after another poor season on defense has a built in excuse — new system.  I can already hear Dick Tobin at 2026 combine talking about how good the D will be in year two.  By not locking up Trey, Chase, and/or Tee it’s like we are holding back money until get those deals, which means we truly don’t know how much we have available to spend.  We will never get what the reports are that the Bengals want in trade for Trey or Higgins, which just adds the commentary of the organization being a clown show.  And in my opinion shows that we never had intentions of trading either.  I don’t mind Gisicki or Perine, but I also do think either is a difference maker and would have rather went cheaper.  I am no NFL expert.  Not even close.  Hell, I can’t even win my fantasy football league.  But, I won’t be fooled again by this ownership group.  Nope, not me.  They are my team. That isn’t changing.  Just sick of making excuses for them.  Especially while I watch the Bills get better.  The Commanders improve....

I get the frustration but it's apples and oranges when looking at the Bengals and Washington.  Of course the Commanders can be aggressive in FA.  Their QB is on a rookie deal.  Also not sure how much better the Bills will be with Bosa and Ogunjobi.  5 years ago those guys would have made them better.  Today, I'm not sure.

It's been apparent that the Bengals D would be younger and cheaper this year.  That's why they brought in Golden to try to develop them.  I'm fine with that.  On the O line, Becton is average in pass blocking so not a great fit.  Jenkins would be awesome but he has about 3 or 4 other teams after him.  I think they will sign someone and also use a 2nd round pick on a guard.  

As for the extension, they have to have cash to put in escrow for any guaranteed money/bonuses.  Not sure the Bengals have cash to do that.  I think TV revenue shares get dispersed in May or June.  I don't think you will see extensions until after that.  Joe didn't get extended until August last year.  We just have to be patient.

33 minutes ago, FatNate said:

Free agency this year is a weak class over all.  I get it.  But have huge needs.  Glaring problems.  And we have yet to address any of them.  I have interest in Becton and Jenkins that are both left.  Honestly, believe bringing in both makes us better, but instead I fearful Cody Ford is line to be a starter next year.  I am just most concerned with the entire off season plan.  It appears we are going to run back the exact horrible defense with a few new draft picks and a new coach.  Ultimately the team is saying it was former DC Lou’s fault.  No upgrades planned but expecting better performance from those same guys with only change being the coach.  Which after another poor season on defense has a built in excuse — new system.  I can already hear Dick Tobin at 2026 combine talking about how good the D will be in year two.  By not locking up Trey, Chase, and/or Tee it’s like we are holding back money until get those deals, which means we truly don’t know how much we have available to spend.  We will never get what the reports are that the Bengals want in trade for Trey or Higgins, which just adds the commentary of the organization being a clown show.  And in my opinion shows that we never had intentions of trading either.  I don’t mind Gisicki or Perine, but I also do think either is a difference maker and would have rather went cheaper.  I am no NFL expert.  Not even close.  Hell, I can’t even win my fantasy football league.  But, I won’t be fooled again by this ownership group.  Nope, not me.  They are my team. That isn’t changing.  Just sick of making excuses for them.  Especially while I watch the Bills get better.  The Commanders improve.  Just to name a few tha have found ways to make moves to improve this off season.  Ultimately, it would be nice to see them try to make one unique or creative move — just one, for once.  And please, don’t quote who we were close to getting — we are the Bengals and NO ONE trusts our ownership — you have to overpay or they won’t come!   We should know that, so either change the narrative or draft and develop better, so you don’t have to beg free agents to come to Cincinnati. 

While this year so far in Free Agency definitely has sucked, and I hate how they really haven't done anything to try to make the team better for this year. The bolded part I can't completely agree with, especially over the last few seasons. Over the last 4 years in Free Agency the Bengals have went out and gotten Hendrickson, Hilton, Reader, Cappa (Was one of the top guards available that year), Awuzie, Orlando Brown, Karras, Geno Stone (Was one of the top Safeties available last year), traded Billy Price away for BJ Hill. So over the last few years they have legit made moves to bring players in to try to help this team. This year is definitely frustrating with the lack of moves so far though.  

To me the two biggest issues now with the Bengals is one being able to draft well and develop. Which is key once you pay your QB.  The other issue is not signing their young talent to contract extensions earlier. 

25 minutes ago, REALSPORT said:

I get the frustration but it's apples and oranges when looking at the Bengals and Washington.  Of course the Commanders can be aggressive in FA.  Their QB is on a rookie deal.  Also not sure how much better the Bills will be with Bosa and Ogunjobi.  5 years ago those guys would have made them better.  Today, I'm not sure.

It's been apparent that the Bengals D would be younger and cheaper this year.  That's why they brought in Golden to try to develop them.  I'm fine with that.  On the O line, Becton is average in pass blocking so not a great fit.  Jenkins would be awesome but he has about 3 or 4 other teams after him.  I think they will sign someone and also use a 2nd round pick on a guard.  

As for the extension, they have to have cash to put in escrow for any guaranteed money/bonuses.  Not sure the Bengals have cash to do that.  I think TV revenue shares get dispersed in May or June.  I don't think you will see extensions until after that.  Joe didn't get extended until August last year.  We just have to be patient.

These sound like the same excuses I have used over the years to cover for the team I love.  

21 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

While this year so far in Free Agency definitely has sucked, and I hate how they really haven't done anything to try to make the team better for this year. The bolded part I can't completely agree with, especially over the last few seasons. Over the last 4 years in Free Agency the Bengals have went out and gotten Hendrickson, Hilton, Reader, Cappa (Was one of the top guards available that year), Awuzie, Orlando Brown, Karras, Geno Stone (Was one of the top Safeties available last year), traded Billy Price away for BJ Hill. So over the last few years they have legit made moves to bring players in to try to help this team. This year is definitely frustrating with the lack of moves so far though.  

To me the two biggest issues now with the Bengals is one being able to draft well and develop. Which is key once you pay your QB.  The other issue is not signing their young talent to contract extensions earlier. 

I agree 100% our team has let us down on how the evaluate, draft, and develop.  The way ownership handles contracts has failed to evolve, which is give other teams an advantage over us.  I completely believe we have time to make the off season better.  I am fine with waiting and seeing.  But right now at this second of the off season do any us of feel like this team can win a Super Bowl?   That’s the goal right?  Unfortunately for many of us, we are happy with finishing second, to a better ran organization in Baltimore, and just making the playoffs.

Chase and Higgins deals are being finalized. 

2 hours ago, MaddenCurse44 said:

Chase and Higgins deals are being finalized. 

Yes, been hearing that for a couple days now. Just get it done Bengals!

4 years, 161 million for Chase.

4 years, 115 million for Tee.

Who Dey!!

So great for Tee and Chase.  Hopefully they both have a strong four years.

Now seriously, what about our defense, we need help?

11 hours ago, theguru said:

4 years, 161 million for Chase.

4 years, 115 million for Tee.

Who Dey!!

I believe we are currently ranked #3 on the percentage of the cap paid to the offense and #26 on the percentage of the cap paid to the defense.  To be fair I did not fact check the quote, and I have no idea how the rest of the league ranks, so the stat might be deceiving and/or misleading.  I do think we will need to draft well on defense this year and develop all the returning defensive guys.  I also think we should be very concerned with the interior of the offensive line.  I am glad the deals are done, but I personally do not like that we have so much invested at WR.  I understand I am in the minority, and I hope I am wrong.

52 minutes ago, FatNate said:

I believe we are currently ranked #3 on the percentage of the cap paid to the offense and #26 on the percentage of the cap paid to the defense.  To be fair I did not fact check the quote, and I have no idea how the rest of the league ranks, so the stat might be deceiving and/or misleading.  I do think we will need to draft well on defense this year and develop all the returning defensive guys.  I also think we should be very concerned with the interior of the offensive line.  I am glad the deals are done, but I personally do not like that we have so much invested at WR.  I understand I am in the minority, and I hope I am wrong.

The one bonus in the next couple of years is that coaches coming from the college ranks to the pros usually have a really good grasp on the draft for a year or two since they had been at that level to recruit and scout that talent. Hoping Al Golden is able to put in the word for a great defensive draft!