The Bengals’ rookies will report to training camp on July 23, with veterans following on July 26. At this point in June, organized team activities around the league have concluded. The earliest any players will report to camp will be July 18, when the Las Vegas Raiders’ rookie class will begin preparation for the Hall of Fame Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 4. Until then, there’s little for news-craving NFL fans to do but wait.
Around Full Press Coverage
NFL: Have the Green Bay Packers Assembled a Super Bowl Defense?
FANTASY FOOTBALL: Fantasy Football: Rookie Running Back Rankings Post-NFL Draft
NFL NEWS: NFL Opinion: Watson Enablers Flushed Credibility Early In Process
NFL OPINION: The Brutal End?: Raiders Close 2022 With Grueling Schedule
NHL: Auston Matthews to The Desert Doesn’t Seem Plausible
PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 42: Deebo Samuel Requests Trade; Possible Landing Spots
In theory, there’s still moves on the table for the Bengals that would justifiably make headlines. Fans are growing increasingly anxious at Jessie Bates‘ absence from activities and lack of a contract extension. Minkah Fitzpatrick inking the richest deal for a safety in NFL history with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers has only exacerbated that. After all, why can’t the Bengals take care of their business in June if the Steelers are clearly able to?
Perhaps a valid point, but Fitzpatrick’s deal likely moves the goalposts for Bates and his agent, David Mulugheta. Whether or not the Bengals are willing to (or should) offer Bates that kind of money based on recent performance, he might find it on the open market. There’s an argument Bates should sign a contract before the season to insure himself against injury or a drop in performance, but he’d have done so already if he thought that way. Unless a generous trade offer materializes, this situation isn’t going anywhere until 2023.
As for any other potential June story? Larry Ogunjobi signed a deal with Pittsburgh as well, ending his unorthodox return to free agency after initially signing with Chicago as well as the chorus of flirtation from Bengals fans and writers with the idea of re-signing him themselves.
With that aside, here are some stories Bengals fans should look forward to potentially learning more about in July.
Joe Mixon, Samaje Perine, and Third Down
Joe Mixon is set to make $11 million to play running back for the Bengals in 2022 for a reason. The team took him with the 48th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft for a reason. Athletically, Mixon has all the tools to be an every-down difference-maker for the team – running, receiving, and/or blocking. That player made appearances on his tape from Oklahoma, but the Bengals haven’t employed Mixon the same way. On the contrary, when the Bengals required their running back to do anything other than run in 2021 – especially late in the season – they called on Samaje Perine.
This discrepancy was the subject of part of Paul Dehner Jr.’s mailbag last week at The Athletic, where he presented the following statistic: Mixon was on the field for 34 third down snaps with 3 or more yards to convert. Perine was on the field for 140 snaps in the same situation.
“Will Mixon receive another chance next year to be a three-down back?” Dehner Jr. goes on to ask. “Unlikely … there will be spots for him on third down, but the days focusing on turning him into a three-down back are behind them.”
I don’t know that I follow Dehner all the way to his conclusion. He makes valid points – Perine was more technically reliable on third down and the Bengals rightfully trusted him more in those situations. He also points out, despite that, Perine (42.3) barely graded better than Mixon (37.3) in pass protection according to Pro Football Focus. Perine lost physically where Mixon lost technically – the latter issue is far easier to fix. The Bengals may not prioritize making Mixon their best player in those situations in training camp, but that doesn’t mean he can’t show up and look like he is anyway.
Regardless, Perine’s contract expires after the 2022 season. Given past performance, it seems unlikely the Bengals would financially commit to keeping the status quo. Maybe Perine improves, but Mixon (or Chris Evans) becoming a legitimate blocking asset would also make the team’s decision easier.
Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd
Much is made about the market rate for wide receivers and what that’ll mean for the Bengals and Ja’Marr Chase, but that bill won’t come due for a while yet. Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd aren’t due for extensions quite yet, but they will be after the 2023 season. Retaining both – in this economy, even with the team’s brave new free agency philosophy – isn’t a viable option. The team doesn’t have to choose between them this year, but the 2022 season will certainly inform their decision.
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contracts
by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
On the surface, a binary decision between Higgins and Boyd is easy. Higgins is roughly four years younger and has shown higher production peaks in more recent memory. If anything, Boyd might need a strong 2022 season to stay on the roster through the end of his contract given he’s making nearly as much as Chase and Higgins on their rookie deals combined. If Boyd looks like a replaceable part behind those two, the Bengals can draft another slot receiver in 2023.
It won’t be a binary decision, though. Higgins and Jessie Bates are represented by the same agent, and teams will line up to make Higgins one of the highest-paid receivers in the league if he builds upon his 2021 production. The Bengals will enter that negotiation knowing Chase – if he maintains or builds on his production as well – will demand an even higher price. With Joe Burrow playing on a fifth-year option or an extension in 2024, the team won’t have an abundance of cap space to play with. Higgins could easily price himself out of town and leave Boyd as the best second option Cincinnati can afford.
It’s also possible that the Bengals let both receivers walk if they think Chase and yet-to-be-drafted receivers are sufficient. A lot of things can happen, but how Higgins and Boyd look in 2022 is a primary factor.
Hayden Hurst, Drew Sample, and What Comes Next at Tight End
Of more immediate concern to the Bengals than their future at receiver is their future at tight end. Hayden Hurst signed with the team this offseason, but only to a one-year deal. Drew Sample is in the last year of his rookie contract as a 2019 second-round pick. In fact, the only tight end on the roster currently signed beyond 2022 is undrafted rookie Justin Rigg. Hurst figures to fill the void left by C.J. Uzomah signing with the Jets, but the Bengals could easily enter 2023 with an entirely new cast at the position if no one steps up.
In the short term, the Bengals aren’t entirely without options if things look dire in camp. Jared Cook, a starter for the Chargers last year, remains on the market. Kyle Rudolph, who played 500 offensive snaps for the Giants in 2021, is available as well. Eric Ebron, Jesse James, and Blake Jarwin loom as slightly younger options, bur Jarwin’s status for the start of the 2022 season is unknown after the former Cowboys tight end underwent hip surgery in February.
It’s possible that any of those players are on the roster by September, but it’s also possible that Hurst or Sample break out in 2022 and render that point moot. For what it’s worth, both players were at Travis Kelce’s Travis Kelce‘s Tight End University summit last week. That may or may not translate to anything, but it’s June – that qualifies as a notable story.
Germaine Pratt and Akeem Davis-Gaither
Germaine Pratt is among the biggest names on the Bengals roster currently set to hit free agency in 2023. In his third year with the team, the 2019 third-round pick played 692 defensive snaps and recorded 91 solo tackles, including 5 tackles for loss. Those numbers are fine – and Bengals fans will fondly remember the game-winning interception Pratt had in the wildcard round against the Raiders as well – but an extension won’t be forthcoming based on them alone.
Pratt didn’t play 100 percent of the team’s defensive snaps until Logan Wilson was inactive in December, and he didn’t play upward of 90 percent until Akeem Davis-Gaither suffered a foot injury in Week 9. All three players, when healthy, present the Bengals with a logjam at a position where they usually don’t field more than two. Wilson has played the most of the bunch and figures to be the safest candidate for extension. Pratt and Davis-Gaither, if both remain healthy, will play second banana in 2023. The question is whether they compete for the role in training camp or alternate filling it based on situation.
It’s also possible the Bengals work back toward more three-linebacker sets if both players shine in camp. Pratt played several snaps as an edge defender in odd fronts last season. Davis-Gaither, physically, is the type of linebacker that could pass for a safety if it weren’t for his jersey number. There’s space for both on the field, alongside Wilson, in the same defensive formation.
Safety, Present and Future
Bates aside, Vonn Bell is also entering the last year of his contract with the Bengals. It’s possible both players are with the Bengals in 2023, but that raises the question of where Daxton Hill lines up. Tycen Anderson – the team’s fifth round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft – will be in the mix as well.
A number of possibilities exist here, and we’ll find out sooner than later how different safety combinations look if Bates doesn’t initially report to camp. Ahead of camp, it’s hard to make any predictions here. The Bengals seeking out potential replacements for Bates and Bell wasn’t due to performance concerns, and both potential replacements in question are rookies. There’s no past NFL performance to analyze.
Whatever ends up happening, Hill and Anderson have their youth and rookie contracts on their side. If either look ready to start, the Bengals will put them on the field and figure the rest out. If both look ready to start, the Bengals won’t be hard-pressed to turn the page on two of the captains from their AFC Championship team.
– Andy Hammel is the Managing Editor for the Bengals at Full Press Coverage. Follow @Andy_Hammel
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 244: Auction Draft Strategyby Full Press Coverage on August 6, 2022 at 4:20 pm
-
Ep 243: TE Tiers TE 2022by Full Press Coverage on August 4, 2022 at 1:32 pm
-
Ep 242: WR Tiers Part 2by Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 7:39 pm
-
Ep 241: WR Tiers 2022 Part 1by Full Press Coverage on July 28, 2022 at 1:50 pm
-
Tyreek Hill vs. Davante Adams: Who Has The Better Season?by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:48 am
From Full Press NFL Weekly, Ian Glendon, Braden Holecek, and Kyle Senra […]
-
Julio Jones Signs in Tampa Bayby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:11 pm
Ian and John discuss Julio Jones joining Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Learn […]
-
Juan Soto Wins Home Run Derby; Is It Worth Watching?by Full Press Coverage on July 19, 2022 at 1:10 pm
From FPC Radio LIVE, Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti react to Juan Soto's […]
-
Jimmy Garoppolo To Tampa Bay? Not so Fastby Full Press Coverage on July 11, 2022 at 1:09 pm
From FPC Radio LIVE, Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti discuss the latest […]
-
Recapping The 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame Ceremonyby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:21 pm
Ian discusses his experience in Canton and the Hall of Fame ceremony with […]
-
8/9 - Pro Football Hall of Fame; Shawshank Prison; Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:06 pm
Ian and John recap the Hall of Fame weekend, discuss Ian's Shawshank […]
-
Tom Brady Turns 45; Is He Still The Face Of The NFL?by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 9:49 pm
Ian and John discuss Tom Brady on his 45th birthday and ask the […]
-
8/3 - Vin Scully, Tom Brady, Stephen Ross and the Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 1:20 pm
Ian and John discuss the passing of Vin Scully, Tom Brady's birthday, and […]
-
Bill Russell Passes Away At 88by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 3:16 pm
Ian and John react to the passing of Celtics' legend, Bill Russell.
-
8/1 - Bill Russell Passes Away; Deshaun Watson Suspendedby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 1:59 pm
Ian and John discuss the passing of Celtics' legend Bill Russell and the […]
-
7/29 - Kyler Murray, Julio Jones to Tampa, D.K. Metcalf Extensionby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:04 pm
Ian and John discuss the Kyler Murray extension, Julio Jones signing in […]
-
Is An Eight-Game Suspension Too Light For Deshaun Watsonby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 4:29 pm
Ian and John discuss the rumored 8-game suspension for Browns quarterback, […]
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contractsby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
Ian, Braden, and Kyle discuss the new quarterback contracts, Tyreek Hill […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Talkamania Episode 227by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:27 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 193 "Summer Slam Review"by Boot 2 The Face on August 8, 2022 at 10:05 am
Marty and Rucker return to talk the sights and sounds of Nashville for WWE […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 191 "Summer Slam Preview"by Boot 2 The Face on July 28, 2022 at 12:31 am
Rucker is joined by Angel and Timmy C of Filter Free Popcast who you can […]
-
Episode 57 Criss Partee is joined by Spencer Skjeie to analyze the latest around the assosciationby Full Press Coverage on August 10, 2022 at 7:25 am
-
(Season 2.3) Training Camp Talk w/Zach Selby and Trevor Storesby Full Press Coverage on August 10, 2022 at 12:43 am
-
8/9 - Pro Football Hall of Fame; Shawshank Prison; Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:06 pm
-
Ep. 17: 2022 Penn State Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 5:00 am
-
(Seasons 2.2) Commanders Camp Week 3: Roundtable discussion w/ Street Scores Rico and Felix Trammellby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 12:41 am
-
Ep. 16: 2022 Auburn Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on August 8, 2022 at 5:00 am
-
Ep 140: Training Camp Part 2by Full Press Coverage on August 7, 2022 at 7:36 pm
-
Ep 244: Auction Draft Strategyby Full Press Coverage on August 6, 2022 at 4:20 pm
-
Ep 125: Mabel/Visceraby Full Press Coverage on August 6, 2022 at 2:00 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Recapping The 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame Ceremonyby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:21 pm
-
8/9 - Pro Football Hall of Fame; Shawshank Prison; Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:06 pm
-
Tom Brady Turns 45; Is He Still The Face Of The NFL?by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 9:49 pm
-
8/3 - Vin Scully, Tom Brady, Stephen Ross and the Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 1:20 pm
-
Bill Russell Passes Away At 88by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 3:16 pm
-
8/1 - Bill Russell Passes Away; Deshaun Watson Suspendedby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 1:59 pm
-
7/29 - Kyler Murray, Julio Jones to Tampa, D.K. Metcalf Extensionby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:04 pm
-
Is An Eight-Game Suspension Too Light For Deshaun Watsonby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 4:29 pm
-
7/22 - Kyler Murray Contract, Watson Suspension, Top 5 NFC Teamsby Full Press Coverage on July 22, 2022 at 12:50 pm
-
7/20 - Charles Barkley, Pre Game Shows, Top 5 AFC Teamsby Full Press Coverage on July 20, 2022 at 1:23 pm