04-09-2022, 09:55 AM
(04-08-2022, 11:30 PM)Bengalbug Wrote: Looking ahead a year when von bell is a free agent, I think Mathieu versatility would be an asset. Even though you mentioned him playing only 30% of snaps at FS that was still the highest percentage at any one position in 22.
Free safety: 28.1% of defensive snaps
Strong safety: 24.1%
Slot corner: 20.7%
Inside linebacker: 19.9%
Outside linebacker: 4.9%
Outside corner: 2.3%
If we could lock him up for 3 years (at the 31.5m price the chiefs paid), that serves as a better long term solution and allows us flexibility next year without a significant (if any) downgrade at the FS position.
Just my .02
I’m not the only one that thinks this either - https://atozsports.com/cincinnati/news-tyrann-mathieu-cincinnati-bengals-jessie-bates/
We play single high as our base coverage, he isn’t a center fielder…there is no fit here as a bates replacement. Again, if your signing Mathieu you are signing him to be the box safety/cb hybrid that has made him an all pro the last 4 or 5 years. Early in his career they asked him to be a center fielder and he was not really special.
