03-17-2025, 01:24 AM
The Bengals will have to serve as their own proof of concept, as they're now almost unprecedented in their QB-WR1-WR2 pay scale (the recent Dolphins are reasonably similar).
I believe these three players can be a Super Bowl core though. Be like the Peyton Manning Colts.
Burrow --> Manning
Chase --> Harrison
Higgins --> Wayne
Gesicki --> Clark (this one's a big reach of course)
Hendrickson --> Freeney (if they can take care of this one)
Obviously all five of these players have much to prove before they can be listed alongside those Colts, but as a model it's at least some kind of structural precedent. Those Colts also benefitted from cheap, effective draft picks like Bob Sanders and a vastly superior OL.
Have some better luck in the draft on the OL and across the defense, and everything is right there for you.
I believe these three players can be a Super Bowl core though. Be like the Peyton Manning Colts.
Burrow --> Manning
Chase --> Harrison
Higgins --> Wayne
Gesicki --> Clark (this one's a big reach of course)
Hendrickson --> Freeney (if they can take care of this one)
Obviously all five of these players have much to prove before they can be listed alongside those Colts, but as a model it's at least some kind of structural precedent. Those Colts also benefitted from cheap, effective draft picks like Bob Sanders and a vastly superior OL.
Have some better luck in the draft on the OL and across the defense, and everything is right there for you.
