04-05-2024, 01:28 PM
(04-05-2024, 12:55 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: Bell's contract is now listed 1.2 million with no guarantee. Carolina cut hm and his paying him 6 million in 2024 and why we got hm for a great price.
This leaves us with 24 million in cap space as of now, but effective cap space looking ahead to accounting for practice squad and 53 man roster, we have a little over 16 million.
May teams are negative in cap space in the future so at some point they will need to either restructure contracts, trade players or cut veterans to get under the cap.
If our goal is to roll over 10 million, we have 6 million to add FA's if the FO sees a team fit.
The only significant cap savings cut for us I see is Mie Hilton. If Hill beats him out as the slot cover corner, Bengals will gain 6 million in cap space. I like Hilton, not advocating we cut him, but a definite maybe for FO to consider after camp.
Of course, if we trade or give Tee a long term contract, we will add cap space. If traded, almost 22 million, if signed likely 8 to 10 million in 2024 depending on structure.
Great news is 3 weeks prior to draft, FO has a lot of flexibility in FA, and we also have 10 picks so a lot of flexibility to move around the board to get key players on Bengals board.
Once they unload Higgins for an early 2nd they will have $45,000,000..... And can unload enough draft capital to the Vikings for JJ & extend him. Right now, the 2025 Bengals have a projected $90,000,000 of cap space.
They can trade multiple 1sts for Jeferson after getting a top 1/3rd 2nd rounder for Higgins. Because of the depth of this draft hits the Bengals at positions of need perfectly they can still grab OT, DT, TE, & CBs with similar grades in the 2nd-4th rounds EASILY.
There is NO other logical reason for the Bengals to leave THAT much cap space sitting there at this stage. None.
Chisel that in stone. Tattoo it on your chest. Put it in permanent ink. Hit SEND on the email. Plan your wedding (or, congrats, your impending divorce) around it...... It's happening.
Don't believe me? Don't think the Bengals would do so be cause it's too splashy or they can't afford it? It was reported by local media before start of last season THE BENGALS TRIED TO TRADE FOR AARON DONALD last off-season but it fell through. They would have taken on THAT contract and parted w draft picks to do so. They WANT big dog, impact guys and are efforting hard to get them. This ain't Mike Brown's Bengals any more. The FO wants to make some moves to WIN NOW.
