04-23-2023, 10:08 AM
(04-23-2023, 02:47 AM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Assuming he stays healthy. He's missed 18 games in 3 years as a Bengal and guys don't get more durable in their 30s.
If he can't stay on the field, a guy who is 80% of what Reader is playing 100% of the games is actually more valuable because the backup behind Reader who will be pushed into the starting role (and the guy behind him on the PS or whatever who will be pushed into the rotational role) are a HUGE dropoff from even 80% of Reader... and the guy 80% of Reader won't be having $13.5-15.5m cap hits.
All a moot point if he stays healthy, but he's had trouble doing that as a Bengal.
Reader is one of my favorite Bengals, but when he missed time this year, the team seemed to do okay without him. There was the debacle on Halloween, but that seemed more due to our own pass protection issues that anything. To be fair, Chubb and the Cleveland offense have chewed up Bengals defensive fronts both with and without Reader.
Eventually it will be less about whether or not they want to keep a player. There won't be any disputing if a player they decide not to extend is good or a contributor. It will be about who they think they can least live without or who can give them better value. Bates was a good player and so was Bell. They moved on. They obviously are putting a lot of weight on age in the decision-making process.
Unless DJ is willing to take a bit less to remain here, he's likely gone. If we're not all a bit more realistic about a player's likelihood of doing that by now, then we're slow learners. Someone will shell out big money for him.
