NFL Opinion: Bengals Need To Start Extending Players -

For the first time in recent memory, the historically frugal Cincinnati Bengals will need to pay heavily for their young talent.

The Cincinnati Bengals currently sit near the top of the AFC, thanks to shrewd drafting and free agency. If they want that success to continue, they will need to open up their wallet and start handing out megadeals to its homegrown stars. While not difficult, the Bengals must buck their noted history, if they want the wins to keep flowing on the banks of the Ohio River.

Unkind History

If you are around the first colonoscopy age, you already know the lengths of tightness the Bengals organization existed. First, Gatorade. Yes, an NFL franchise, owned by multimillionaires, would not allow their players to enjoy unlimited Gatorade. Granted, that may seem petty and small, but you don’t see the Chiefs or Niners keeping a firm tab on the amounts of Arctic Frost lifted from the cooler. Next, NFL history shares stories of the team reneging on their free agent offers to stars, presumably to save money. Now, bear in mind, this extends to issuing players used jockstraps. People clowned Cincinnati for decades behind their lack of spending. However, the on-field product demands a change. Plus, in the age of bad press, can the team risk it?

Back Up The Trucks

In all honesty, the Bengals need to extend Joe Burrow before his contract expires in 2025. He loves the team and city, and was born not far from the town. Why wouldn’t you float that extension now? Why will the Bengals wait? A three-year sampling and a Super Bowl appearance should suffice. In completing nearly two-thirds of his passes, at nearly eight yards a throw, Burrow exemplifies what a franchise quarterback is. With that said, the front office watched a handful of similarly-aged passers cash in on mammoth deals. Does Cincinnati believe the number will fall? If so, there is some oceanfront property in Nebraska you need to buy. Burrow, right now, in June 2023 is the best quarterback that franchise ever employed. Why get cute, trying to nickel and dime him?

Ep 135: 49ers Move To 3-0, NFC South Buy or Sell, Week 3 Picks/Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 24, 2023 at 3:13 pm

MORE PODCASTS From FPC

Around Full Press Coverage

NFL OPINION: Morten Andersen: The Toughest Place To Kick? For Me, It Was This Place

NFL: NFL 2022: Five Key Statistics for Week 2

NFL: Kansas City Chiefs Stock Report: Week 2 2022

FULL PRESS BETS: NFL MVP Odds: Patrick Mahomes Leapfrogs Josh Allen For Top Spot

FANTASY FOOTBALL: Fantasy Football Value Picks In Every Round

PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 54: Chargers At Chiefs Preview

The Trio

If you peer past Burrow, the Bengals need to sign much of their young core. Logan Wilson fits in as a modern anomaly: a big, three-down linebacker that excels in coverage and run support. In a league where versatile linebackers with size become rarer each year, Wilson will command a giant contract. Next, Tee Higgins will enjoy his share of suitors. Not many wideouts can drop twenty-one passes over his first three seasons and still catch almost sixty-six percent of his targets. The ultimate number-two, Higgins, by virtue of his play should see more money. Meanwhile, D. J. Reader clogs the middle like arteries. His deal ends at the end of next year. On top of that, how will the team designate who is worthy or not? Not to mention, will the possible replacements play at the same level?

Bottom Line

People can deride the Cincinnati Bengals for being cheap and ignoring talent. Yet, they have a chance to build a juggernaut that could stand toe-to-toe with the Kansas City Chiefs. Then again, no other team mounts a credible challenge. Remember, the Bengals beat the Chiefs en route to the Super Bowl. Buffalo continuously failed to do that. The Bengals, in 2023, owe a debt to the convergence of sound drafting a bit of good fortune. In spite of this, the team must find a way. Now, that bill has come due. Do they pay it?