05-18-2016, 09:01 PM
Zeitler's money changed this offseason with Osemele's monster deal this offseason. DeCastro will be the interesting one as well as he could re-set the market. $8 million annually is now the new market for top-end guards. And say what you want, Zeitler will be able to command that if he plays this year out. You're right - can't see them franchise tagging him - that money pushes into the what, $10-11 million range for one-year and sets the new APY at that number. The Bengals won't do that.
Kirkpatrick is interesting. I can see them making an offer and Dre electing to do what Iloka did and play it out. The money corners got this past offseason was crazy, and while most don't see another $10 million jump in the cap, it will rise again. I can see both sides being willing to play it out. The money the Bengals gave Jones proves they're not afraid to pay for Pro Bowl talent ... if Dre proves himself to be that.
To be clear, deals aren't "in the works" - these are all wish list - just like their usually targeted extension candidates (i.e. Green, Iloka, the Jonses last year). It's not a surprise to these players that the team wants to extend them - this has been known to them since February.
Kirkpatrick is interesting. I can see them making an offer and Dre electing to do what Iloka did and play it out. The money corners got this past offseason was crazy, and while most don't see another $10 million jump in the cap, it will rise again. I can see both sides being willing to play it out. The money the Bengals gave Jones proves they're not afraid to pay for Pro Bowl talent ... if Dre proves himself to be that.
To be clear, deals aren't "in the works" - these are all wish list - just like their usually targeted extension candidates (i.e. Green, Iloka, the Jonses last year). It's not a surprise to these players that the team wants to extend them - this has been known to them since February.
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