Let's Talk Extensions

[Whatever]

(10-04-2022, 09:50 AM)WeezyBengal Wrote: We have a lot of players coming up for contracts the next couple of seasons. Below is the list of (notable) players that are up either at the end of this year or next year.

Offense

Jonah Williams - 2024 (will cost $12 million to pick up his 5th year option next year)
Tyler Boyd - 2024
Tee Higgins - 2024

Defense

DJ Reader - 2024
Logan Wilson - 2024
Germain Pratt - 2023
Eli Apple - 2023
Chido Awuzie - 2024
Vonn Bell - 2023
Jessie Bates - 2023


So, taking into account the fact that this team is going to re-sign Burrow in 2025 or earlier (which they 100% will), and the salary cap, who do you all want to extend?

To me, the biggest kicker in all of this is what they end up doing with Higgins and Chase. They are obviously going to try and keep at least one of those guys. Is there enough money to go around for both? Do they go all in on signing both of those guys while letting guys like Logan Wilson and DJ Reader go?

Also, a lot of money comes off the books if/when Bates, Reader, Mixon, and Boyd walk. I can't imagine they bring Boyd back past 2024 and Mixon past 2025 (if not sooner as a cut casualty). Reader is an interesting case - he is playing lights out but he will be expensive to keep.

So, what have you? Who are you trying to extend this off-season? For me personally I'd try to get Burrow done sooner than later...and then try and lock down some of the "not huge contracts but solid player" guys like Logan Wilson and Jonah Williams.

But man, this team could look a lot different in a couple years...especially the defense.

I'm probably in the minority, but I think Jonah should be extended.  While he's not an elite LT, he's proven to be a good solid starter throughout his career thus far.  An upgrade in FA will cost a massive chunk of cap space and I have zero faith in the FO drafting an upgrade or even a replacement of similar caliber.  

The only way I see Boyd back is if he signs a very team friendly deal. The team does very well with highly drafted WR's, so it just doesn't seem like the value would be there vs cost of replacement.

Tee will be impossible to keep without major concessions on Burrow's part and/or trimming some roster fat(Mixon's contract, specifically).  Unless someone offers an AJ Brown type trade for him, I think he spends 2 years on the FT, then leaves.

Pratt is an interesting one.  It would probably be best to keep him if they can get a reasonable deal done, as Wilson, ADG, and Bailey are all UFA's the following year.

Apple is just one of those guys that it seems nobody wants, but he's outplayed his contract at the same time.  It comes down to money with him.  If he's willing to keep signing bargain one year deals, there's no reason not to keep him.

You resign Bell and let Bates walk.  That's pretty easy.

Reader should be reupped, but there has to be some caution, as he's had significant injuries two of the last three years.

Wilson should probably be extended after this off-season to avoid a potential bidding war driving his price through the roof.

Chido should definitely get paid.