Hendrickson, Higgins, and Chase

[cincygrad]

They can give Trey 3 year extension, $90 million with $80 million guaranteed, that they can spread over the next 4 years. That will indeed help the cap. We still have a helper with Chase, as the team still owns him for the next year on the 5th year rookie deal, so you can spread that guaranteed money over that extra year. If they would have done it last year, they would be spreading that guaranteed money over his 4th year, his 5th year, and his new 5 year extension. I can't see giving Higgins more than $25 million. As everyone else has said, playing time, injury history, the fact we are paying Chase to be the highest paid non-QB in the NFL, that Cincy hit the nail on the head, you can get a serviceable #2 for a lot less money and while not exactly as good as Tee, you can get someone for $10-$15 million who would succeed opposite Chase and Gesicki.

You make a good point about the cap, and that is the biggest reason that earlier would be better. If the Bengals go into free agency with Tee on the tag, Trey playing (or sitting) on the last year of his deal, and Chase waiting on an extension, you will have 3 very large cap hits that will likely prevent them from signing other players at positions of need. If you can get one or two of these guys done, you can spread out some of the damage from the bonus and now you have some money for some mid-level guys at key positions of need.

Tee needs to make much more than 25 million. Jaylen Waddle makes 28 million. Brandon Aiyuck makes 30 million. The cap just went up again. If Tee were allowed to go to free agency, he would likely make between 32-34 million. His agent has to walk a fine line here - It might be true that Tee prefers to play for the Bengals, but the agent can't give them a 7 million dollar per year discount. Particularly when Tee got rid of David Mulagheta..... Because you know that guy will be telling everyone in the world that he would have gotten Tee top dollar if he held onto him.

If you're going all in on your core young talent, give Ja'Marr 37 or 38 million. Give Tee 31 million. You have two tackles under contract for at least two years. You have a dynamic back. You add a few interior linemen, and you let the offense cook. If your defense isn't historically bad, you are a contender for the next couple of years. Can't ask for more. No reason to hold this shit up over a couple of million when the window is open. But again, this is the Bengals..... They'll make it harder than it needs to be.

 

[cincygrad]

BTW - For those hoping for a Tee extension before the tag deadline, I think the chances of that are almost none. As pointed out in multiple podcasts that I listen to, Tee's agent has a lot of incentive to let Tee get tagged. If a player is tagged, the agent can still shop around deals and it's worth it to the agent to see what his client would be worth on the open market, both from a bargaining perspective and to potentially try to get the Bengals to sign and trade. There really is no incentive for Tee to sign right now - It's the Bengals that should want this done quickly, which is what I believe

 

[Cincyfan78]

You make a good point about the cap, and that is the biggest reason that earlier would be better. If the Bengals go into free agency with Tee on the tag, Trey playing (or sitting) on the last year of his deal, and Chase waiting on an extension, you will have 3 very large cap hits that will likely prevent them from signing other players at positions of need. If you can get one or two of these guys done, you can spread out some of the damage from the bonus and now you have some money for some mid-level guys at key positions of need.

Tee needs to make much more than 25 million. Jaylen Waddle makes 28 million. Brandon Aiyuck makes 30 million. The cap just went up again. If Tee were allowed to go to free agency, he would likely make between 32-34 million. His agent has to walk a fine line here - It might be true that Tee prefers to play for the Bengals, but the agent can't give them a 7 million dollar per year discount. Particularly when Tee got rid of David Mulagheta..... Because you know that guy will be telling everyone in the world that he would have gotten Tee top dollar if he held onto him.

If you're going all in on your core young talent, give Ja'Marr 37 or 38 million. Give Tee 31 million. You have two tackles under contract for at least two years. You have a dynamic back. You add a few interior linemen, and you let the offense cook. If your defense isn't historically bad, you are a contender for the next couple of years. Can't ask for more. No reason to hold this shit up over a couple of million when the window is open. But again, this is the Bengals..... They'll make it harder than it needs to be.

Bengals have more than enough room to sign all 3 and sign F/A...this angle isn't correct. There have been quite a few guys covering the cap, notably Joe Goodberry - and he's listed out how this works. The Bengals are in great cap situation to sign all their guys and still have room to make moves.

As for Tee...disagree. Again, I'll reference the X post that breaks down Tee comp'd to other #2 WR...he's simply not in their range, and it starts with the inability for Tee to stay on the field. If it takes 30+ to sign tee...i'm trading him. He's just not worth $30M a year for 60-65% of the snaps. Not at a position where you can easily find solid replacement both via F/A (who won't want to be opposite of Chase and have Burrow at QB) and/or the draft.

I'll reiterate here - I would not give Tee 31M...if someone wants to overpay him and give him that, kudos to him - but he's simply not worth that kind of coin based on his history - his entire history that includes too much missed time.

 

[Cincyfan78]

BTW - For those hoping for a Tee extension before the tag deadline, I think the chances of that are almost none. As pointed out in multiple podcasts that I listen to, Tee's agent has a lot of incentive to let Tee get tagged. If a player is tagged, the agent can still shop around deals and it's worth it to the agent to see what his client would be worth on the open market, both from a bargaining perspective and to potentially try to get the Bengals to sign and trade. There really is no incentive for Tee to sign right now - It's the Bengals that should want this done quickly, which is what I believe

Don't forget, though, Tee changed agents because he wanted to stay - I think if the Bengals make him a fair offer - he'll sign...but that also has to be on both sides. $31-32M isn't worth it, IMO - for a #2 on this offense.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Came across this article, and I really liked what they had to say about Cincinnati and their first 3 picks. I would be okay with this.

MSN

I can go with this. I think my #1 choice as of now for DT is Nolan out of Ole Miss, but Grant would also be a really good get.

Watts could be good in the back of the secondary - I wouldn't hate that pick

Milum, Ratledge, and there are a few other - I think could be really good IOL guys. I expect the Bengals to target at least 1 IOL in this draft fairly early - and likely look to sign 1 F/A at IOL as well.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Cappa released...clears up $8M on the cap - and just as important would free up $8M in available cash for this year towards a new deal for any one of the 3 on this list...

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Don't forget, though, Tee changed agents because he wanted to stay - I think if the Bengals make him a fair offer - he'll sign...but that also has to be on both sides. $31-32M isn't worth it, IMO - for a #2 on this offense.

Which means that Chase has to take what he was going to get last year $36 million. Bengals will make him the highest paid non-QB in the NFL, but not by a wide margin. It is barely going to be more than Justin Jefferson. If these guys want to play together, this is what has got to happen. Trey is getting a shorter extension at his age, 3 years, but he will get $30 million using his final year of this deal to spread that guarantee money out.

Chase and Higgins have the same agent, and they both play the same position for the same team. Chase is going to have to stomach taking $36 million a year, Higgins is going to have to stomach $25-$28 million. The Bengals if they made those offers, they are doing their part as long as they are not short arming the guarantee money. If that is being offered, then all these players have to say yes, or they are not serious about staying together. Burrow needs to rewrite his contract, we have to start cutting overpaid middle of the road players to free up more space, and we have to nail the f'n draft.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Which means that Chase has to take what he was going to get last year $36 million. Bengals will make him the highest paid non-QB in the NFL, but not by a wide margin. It is barely going to be more than Justin Jefferson. If these guys want to play together, this is what has got to happen. Trey is getting a shorter extension at his age, 3 years, but he will get $30 million using his final year of this deal to spread that guarantee money out.

Chase and Higgins have the same agent, and they both play the same position for the same team. Chase is going to have to stomach taking $36 million a year, Higgins is going to have to stomach $25-$28 million. The Bengals if they made those offers, they are doing their part as long as they are not short arming the guarantee money. If that is being offered, then all these players have to say yes, or they are not serious about staying together. Burrow needs to rewrite his contract, we have to start cutting overpaid middle of the road players to free up more space, and we have to nail the f'n draft.

In the end, if they are going to "overpay" for one of them, it's going to be Chase...and it's not even close. You hedge on a top 3 WR, maybe the best WR, at his age. I got no issues paying a few more $M a year towards Chase. I just can't justify doing that for a #2 WR, who also has issues staying healthy. I want Tee to return - but you simply cannot overpay for him.

If you did a 3 year extension, that buys out this year...I think that can work for Trey. Not sure you want to go beyond that - as you start touching age 33 season...

 

[cincygrad]

Bengals have more than enough room to sign all 3 and sign F/A...this angle isn't correct. There have been quite a few guys covering the cap, notably Joe Goodberry - and he's listed out how this works. The Bengals are in great cap situation to sign all their guys and still have room to make moves.

As for Tee...disagree. Again, I'll reference the X post that breaks down Tee comp'd to other #2 WR...he's simply not in their range, and it starts with the inability for Tee to stay on the field. If it takes 30+ to sign tee...i'm trading him. He's just not worth $30M a year for 60-65% of the snaps. Not at a position where you can easily find solid replacement both via F/A (who won't want to be opposite of Chase and have Burrow at QB) and/or the draft.

I'll reiterate here - I would not give Tee 31M...if someone wants to overpay him and give him that, kudos to him - but he's simply not worth that kind of coin based on his history - his entire history that includes too much missed time.

I'm not arguing that they don't have enough money under the cap. But, they will not act aggressively before guys have new deals. The cap savings are much higher by getting these guys in long term deals. Based on the way the Bengals work, the timing of deals matters to them. Hell, this was the team that used to pay Hobson to write that their cap exposure had to leave 20 million for injuries and bonuses. LOL.

 

[cincygrad]

Which means that Chase has to take what he was going to get last year $36 million. Bengals will make him the highest paid non-QB in the NFL, but not by a wide margin. It is barely going to be more than Justin Jefferson. If these guys want to play together, this is what has got to happen. Trey is getting a shorter extension at his age, 3 years, but he will get $30 million using his final year of this deal to spread that guarantee money out.

Chase and Higgins have the same agent, and they both play the same position for the same team. Chase is going to have to stomach taking $36 million a year, Higgins is going to have to stomach $25-$28 million. The Bengals if they made those offers, they are doing their part as long as they are not short arming the guarantee money. If that is being offered, then all these players have to say yes, or they are not serious about staying together. Burrow needs to rewrite his contract, we have to start cutting overpaid middle of the road players to free up more space, and we have to nail the f'n draft.

Chase isn't taking 36 million..... He could have had that last offseason before the triple crown. He played for 3 million last year and he'll look to put some distance between him and JJ.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Chase isn't taking 36 million..... He could have had that last offseason before the triple crown. He played for 3 million last year and he'll look to put some distance between him and JJ.

He played for 9.8 million last year based on base, prorated bonus and roster bonus. Now, he may not have collected that much last year, but that is what his contract is worth and that is all that matters.

I don't care what he played for last year, he was in the 4th year of his rookie contract that he signed. He got what he signed for. If you want everyone to stick together, then Chase is going to have to take the 1 million a year more than Jefferson or he is saying I want to to get paid and I don't actually give a shit about Tee.

Getting the highest contract in NFL history that is not QB, that is still deserving of the triple crown. That money says we are paying you as a triple crown winner.

 

[cincygrad]

He played for 9.8 million last year based on base, prorated bonus and roster bonus. Now, he may not have collected that much last year, but that is what his contract is worth and that is all that matters.

I don't care what he played for last year, he was in the 4th year of his rookie contract that he signed. He got what he signed for. If you want everyone to stick together, then Chase is going to have to take the 1 million a year more than Jefferson or he is saying I want to to get paid and I don't actually give a shit about Tee.

Getting the highest contract in NFL history that is not QB, that is still deserving of the triple crown. That money says we are paying you as a triple crown winner.

Why do you think 36 million will be the highest per year average of all non-quarterbacks? There are several edge rushers that could surpass 36 million including Garrett and Parsons.

Chase was worth 36 million last year. He's worth more this year with the higher cap. It's what the market says. As pointed out by another media member, he is probably currently asking for 45 per year. The Bengalas are probably offering 37. They'll pay him somewhere between 38-41. Book it.

And the whole 'it's my job to care about my teammates contract' stuff is garbage. People said Burrow would take less as well - He did not. It's not up to the players to solve problems of billionaire owners. The Bengals have plenty of space to take care of everyone. They refuse to use structures that will allow them to do this and even add more players. That's not Chase's issue - That's the Bengals issue.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Why do you think 36 million will be the highest per year average of all non-quarterbacks? There are several edge rushers that could surpass 36 million including Garrett and Parsons.

Chase was worth 36 million last year. He's worth more this year with the higher cap. It's what the market says. As pointed out by another media member, he is probably currently asking for 45 per year. The Bengalas are probably offering 37. They'll pay him somewhere between 38-41. Book it.

And the whole 'it's my job to care about my teammates contract' stuff is garbage. People said Burrow would take less as well - He did not. It's not up to the players to solve problems of billionaire owners. The Bengals have plenty of space to take care of everyone. They refuse to use structures that will allow them to do this and even add more players. That's not Chase's issue - That's the Bengals issue.

Chase won't get over $40. Not going to happen. I'll be happy to admit I am wrong, but I don't think there is any way in hell he gets $40.

If it was based on what they are worth, no one would make $20 million. If we are basing it off current pay structures, Chase will be the #1 paid player in the NFL not a QB and if he wants to keep the team together, he will take that salary and say he did his part. If he is asking $45, then he is all about himself, which is fine if he is, but don't sit here and tell me you want to keep Tee, because you clearly don't.

 

[cincygrad]

Chase won't get over $40. Not going to happen. I'll be happy to admit I am wrong, but I don't think there is any way in hell he gets $40.

If it was based on what they are worth, no one would make $20 million. If we are basing it off current pay structures, Chase will be the #1 paid player in the NFL not a QB and if he wants to keep the team together, he will take that salary and say he did his part. If he is asking $45, then he is all about himself, which is fine if he is, but don't sit here and tell me you want to keep Tee, because you clearly don't.

I just don't understand that sentiment. At least 4 or 5 different folks have shown that the Bengals have plenty of cap to squeeze in Chase, Higgins, Hendrickson and some extra free agents. And this would be true even if they paid Chase 45 million per year, which they will not (nor have to) do. But, he can easily make north of 40 and still leave the Bengals options. Why do you think he can't say he wants to get paid and keep Tee? Because no team in the Bengals situation could do it? Or because the Bengals can't do it because the way they do business? I think he feels like it is the latter - He even mentioned as much when he said the Bengals need to play chess.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Tee got tagged....tag is $26M, I believe. I think a contract for this year starting at $28.5 is more than fair. Can go up next year to roughly $30M, and then again $33 or whatever. Point being...I don't think the Bengals should immediately pay market price because the market is bereft of good WR this go around, especially at Higgins' age.

Tee changed agents because he wanted to stay. That has to mean he's willing to meet the Bengals at a point under the market value to make it work. Bengals can't offer $25/26 because that is essentially getting what the tag is. They need to come up, but they shouldn't start at over $30M, IMO...

We'll see where this all shakes out...