Have the Bengals recently prioritized free agency TOO much?

[Luvnit2]

(02-28-2025, 04:39 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Reader was ranked 57th among IDL against the run, and 62nd against the pass. His solo tackles (and total tackles) were by far the lowest since he played just 4.5 games in 2020, and before that you'd have to go back to his rookie season in 2016. He also wasn't terrific in 2023, had a torn quad, and was heading into his age 30 season.

I think letting Reader leave was the right call. That said I wholeheartedly agree that trying to replace him with a 3-tech was stupid, though.

All teams are faced with tough decisions when it comes to a player's 3rd contract. Reader was injured in 2023 and as you show the facts, was not great at run stopping or generating a pass rush. They Bengals still offered him a very close offer to stay, Detroit paid more. I don't have PFF, but would love someone to share his 2024 numbers. That may help us decide if indeed Bengals screwed up by not beating Lions offer.

I understand our run defense and DL pass rush was horrid in 2024. But, I remind everyone, we lost our 2 starting DT's in the same game early in the season. McKinnley who was also injured and Jenkins became our starting DT's all of a sudden. Can any team be prepared to replace to starting DT's quickly? Bengals drafted 2 rookies to develop, but don't think plan was them to start and play most of the snaps so quickly.