Burrow and Chase's window - Let's not waste it!

[*bengalfan74*]

(11-18-2024, 04:47 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: 1st, I hope that these guys play at a high level for another decade, but let's look at it based on some comparables:

Chase - Guys like Ochocinco played at an elite level for 7 years then fell off. AJ Green was elite for 5 years.
Chase is finishing year 4. Let's say he has 3-5 years of elite play. He probably has 3 atleast, assuming no injuries. Maybe he goes Steve Smith mode and plays elite longer. It's hard to say though as he uses his quickness and strength a lot.

Burrow is almost 28. He should be able to play at an elite level until 35+, but he's racking up injuries. I think his contract is the big kicker. It ends after the 2029 season, so we have essentially 5 more years of him.

It appears the 1st 3 years are fully guaranteed. So, IF we aren't winning in 3 years, that could be a window where he demands a trade.

So...what does that mean?

Well, the next 3 years are hugely important and the Bengals need to do everything they can to win.  This includes making shrewd decisions on coaches and the roster.

How would you maximize their prime?

Yup

And the problem here is this team has so many shortcomings it's nearly impossible to fix them in one off-season. We aren't just a couple players away. Or even 4 0r 5 !!

This team is a bunch, big bunch of players away.

We would have to go out and get 3-4 big time free agents. Somehow hit on 3 or 4 draft picks. And a handful of our previous draft picks suddenly turning it drastically around to have any chance next year. 

So basically a pipe dream. And then you're quickly looking two years down the road.

Not to mention ZT has to swallow his pride and give up being OC. And oh yes we need a DC

Giant task ahead or the Burrow Chase era is going to slip away.