Thoughts on contract extensions.

[kevin]

(06-07-2021, 09:03 PM)fredtoast Wrote: I find different numbers at different sites, but Bengals have at least $18 million in cap space.  I don't see us signing any more expensive free agents.  We might sign a vet WR cut from another team or something like that but it won't cost much.  Plus any free agent we bring in will bump the previous #51 player who makes at least $850K.

Many big Bengal contract extensions have been announce during training camp/pre-season.  I predict we will get a contract extension done with either Bates or Hubbard.  It will be a bad sign if we don't.

Obviously Bates is the #1 priority.  Hubbard is a good player deserving an extension.  Bates is elite.

But if we sign Hubbard and not Bates will we really know the reason.  If Bates just does not trust a long-term deal with the Bengals he will never say anything like that publicly.  Hubbard is more of a local boy who grew up a Bengal fan.  Obviously he will be much more likely to take a chance on a long term deal with the Bengals.

Every NFL team prefers to keep good players they have developed instead of constantly taking chances on free agents from other teams.  That is why such a small percentage of really good players become free agents in their prime.  I have a feeling the Bengals will make a strong push to extend Bates, but if they can't get him then they pretty much have to lock up Hubbard for a few more years.

I will be really concerned if we don't get a deal with either one of them.

There are 6 players without dropping into the vast list of low wage one year contract players. 

Yes, Bates at 1 Million Dollars a year deserves a pay raise. It would be Stupid for Bengals to let this NFL rising star Safety go Free Agent. 

I would also sign Blocking Tackle Reiff to longer than this year.  He now gets paid 7.5 Million.  Hey, Protecting your Star Quarterback does not come cheap.  Bengals always try to go Cheap on O Line, and it NEVER works.  For Burrows sake, sign Reiff longer. 

I would let Uzomah go.  He gets paid 6 Million Dollars.  He is not worth it.  I could find better Tight Ends than him for that kind of money.  Is he Pro Bowl ?  NO.   6 Mil is too much. 

I would let Price go.  He does nothing to earn his 3 Million a year.  He would be the last of the Marvin Draft Picks we say good-bye to, joining Ross, WJ3, Ogbuehi. 

So Uzomah and Price save the team about 9 Million Dollars, which some of that can be applied to keeping Bates and Reiff as Bengals in 2022 Season. 

This leaves Ogunjobi DT at 7.5 Million and  Hubbard DE at 1 Million.  I could care less if Bengals keep them or not.  

So I would like to see Bates and Reiff signed longer.  Bates is too good to lose, and Burrow needs some Blocking and Reiff is worth keeping more than one season. We passed on The Blocker many wanted, to take Chase in The Draft.  That move should mean locking in Reiff more than one year to PROTECT BURROW. 

Keep Bates and Reiff,  let Uzomah and Price go Free Agent, and I have no opinion on Ogunjobi or Hubbard. 

..GO BENGALS