03-09-2022, 02:17 PM
(03-09-2022, 01:50 PM)Whatever Wrote: Lawson is really the main example of the Bengals losing out on a player over guarantees. There are a lot more high profile examples of them losing out over APY, like Whit, Zeitler, and Thuney.
It's been pointed out before by former players that despite the Bengals not handing out a ton of guaranteed money, most players make more money in the long haul due to the team managing the cap well and it's reluctance to cut veterans who may be underperforming a bit. However, if you're as injury prone as Lawson was, I can see why you'd want a ton of money guaranteed at signing.
There are actually a lot of examples of them from FA's that refused to come here because of it but it's not usually publicized because they simply sign somewhere else and move on. Agents steer their clients away because of this approach in a lot of cases. It was literally just brought up by agents this past weekend at the combine, players want to come here but agents are skeptical of the Bengals contract structure.
As to saying you get why for a guy like Lawson...it literally was the same deal Trey took with no injury concerns. Point is, this is how we do deals and it is WELL known around the league. Now that isn't saying Burrow and this team can't overcome that issue and be a destination but this is not a one off issue.
