“Kick the Tires” on Proven Performers

[Essex Johnson]

(02-17-2025, 02:32 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: I’m done with “reclamation projects,” “potential stars,” and “can’t miss” players.

+++

Whatever the Cincinnati Bengals do via free agency, trades, and the draft, the Front Office needs to look at players with proven ability.  This means “kicking the tires” on established performers like Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett, Amari Cooper, Budda Baker, Zack Martin and Mekhi Becton.* In the draft the Front Office needs to consider players from winning programs like Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas, and the top teams in the SEC.

The Bengals have only three great performers who are definitely returning for 2025:  Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Chase Brown.  Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson may end up elsewhere.  Burrow, Chase, and Brown will need to be surrounded by quality starters or the Bengals risk missing the playoffs for a third consecutive year.  

*I am NOT suggesting looking at these players specifically, just players of this caliber.

I think we have kicked some tires when we signed O.Brown, Karras, Bell, Hilton over the past few years, not all FA signings are going to work out but I do think we have trended in spending more on established starters.. especially Brown, he was a quality FA signing..and Karras really stabilized the center position.  I understand your point maybe going a bit bigger but we only have so much $$ on those type players with the holes we have going to have to hit on some day 2 FA this year.