Upcoming Contracts

[CrashDavisSports]

Jesse Bates
Joe Burrow
Tee Higgins
Logan Wilson

We will probably let Vonn Bell walk in free agency after this year, while trying to resign Bates. However, not sure the team wants to make him the highest paid player on the team and richest safety in the NFL. I could see Bates and Hill holding down the secondary for the next 5 years.

Burrow is just going to be crazy cash, so I would just fully use his rookie contract and then sign him to the massive extension once you see how your roster is shaping up at that point. I can't see the QB market spiking more than it already has. I would offer Burrow in the range of Mahomes/Allen type of money and see if he is willing to accept it when time rolls around.

So I would say resign Higgins to around $15 million a year, get Logan Wilson long term. Let Burrow ride. Have to let Bell and Boyd walk when they are up. See if Bates is willing to work with the team on long term extension. A compromise. Somewhere between Bates expectations and Bengals willing to offer.

Thoughts on what we should do with these guys while keeping cap in mind?

 

[Cincyfan78]

Normally I feel good about the Bengals and getting guys under new contracts - but I think the Bates thing has sailed. He wants to be the #1 paid guy, and the Bengals are not going to pay him #1 money. Unless Bates moves off his demands, this will likely be his last year as a Bengal.

I actually could see them keeping Bell simply because he'll be cheaper - but it wouldn't shock me to see both gone next year, and the Bengals either signing a F/A or looking to draft another Safety in rounds 1-3.

Higgins has through the '23 season, so this year and next. His agent is the same as Bates, and the WR market is getting crazy. Both he and Boyd will be up, so I could see them making a strong push to keep Tee - but I wouldn't be shocked if they decided next year to use their early round pick(s) on getting at least 1 WR, and then likely doing the same the following year while looking to extend Chase.

I think Wilson gets picked up. He's been solid in the Middle and good LB's are really hard to come by in the NFL. Pratt is also up, and I think they opt to keep Wilson over Pratt, IMO.

I don't think we need to discuss Burrow...he's staying, and the Bengals are going to pay him - though I could see him taking less, slightly, much like Brady did to keep other guys around. He's pretty heady that way - but long time off on that one. Still have a few more seasons before he HAS to be signed (and not including tagging him)...though likely looking at an early extension (a la Allen) to keep him happy.

 

[DanBengalfan]

we're going to see the day when Bates is not a Bengal, someone will pay him, but it won't be us. Burrow may be the first NFL player to get paid a Billion dollars a year, lol.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

we're going to see the day when Bates is not a Bengal, someone will pay him, but it won't be us. Burrow may be the first NFL player to get paid a Billion dollars a year, lol.

HAHA. Wow! Can't wait to see what the salary cap will be then.

 

[cincygrad]

I think Bates is done here after this season and I think the Bengals got it right. They clearly had a number on him and I get the sense that they felt it was a fair offer. Bates and his reps wanted top safety money. As good as Bates is when he is playing well, he doesn't generate enough game-changing plays to command top money at his position. Not when you have other mouths to feed. I hope he has an awesome season this year and wish him well when he leaves.