Shedding Salary (2021 Budget)

[Whatever]

(09-21-2020, 11:33 AM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: I know we've had a lot of different talk about who we might move on from after the season. Who we could possible trade, who we could possibly cut, who we let walk etc.  I thought I'd simply list out a group a players that I think have the best possibility of not returning in 2021.  

I figured it would be nice to have a single thread where could discuss and debate who may stay and who may go as the season goes on.

Here is the list of guys I've come up with.  I'll list the player, followed by the 2021 cap savings, followed by possible type of departure.

(Note: I'm not saying all, or even most will be gone. Only that these are the most likely candidates.)

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--- AJ Green ------- 18.17 mil (Not resigned, money comes off books)

--- John Ross ------- 5.45 mil (Not resigned, money comes off books)

--- William Jackson - 9.95 mil (Not resigned, money comes off books)

--- Alex Erickson ---- 2.06 mil (Not resigned, money comes off books)

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--- Carlos Dunlap -- 11.25 mil (Traded or released) *** Going into final year

--- Geno Atkins -----  9.60 mil (Traded or released) *** Two years left

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--- Bobby Hart ------- 5.90 mil (Released) *** Going into final year

--- CJ Uzomah -------  5.25 mil (Released) *** Going into final year

--- Gio Bernard ------- 4.10 mil (Released) *** Going into final year

--- Billy Price --------- 2.08 mil (Released) *** Going into final year

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Note: There's a lot of additional 2021 free agents which can be found here: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/cincinnati-bengals/

I just listed the ones who I think deserve the most discussion.  Feel free to add or discuss any you'd like.

I hope some may find this thread interesting or helpful.  I think it shows how and where we can shed salary.  I'm hoping it serves as a decent discussion piece about how we might best go about in doing that.

My personal feelings are AJ, Ross, and Erickson need to be allowed to walk.  They will definitely have to focus on bringing in some talent at WR if they do so, though.  We're probably talking one in rounds 1-3 and one on day 3.

So far, Jackson seems to be back in top form, so we should try to extend him.

Carlos and Geno wouldn't be guys I'm looking to trade, but would for the right price.

Hart isn't getting cut.  Even if they bring in a new starting RT, they'll keep him as a backup so there will be less holes to fill.  Price is a zero sum cut just because you have to sign or draft another backup C and lose a potential comp pick.  Gio is a possibility, particularly if they draft a RB fairly high.  I don't think CJ is in any real danger of getting cut unless Schrek blows up because again, you're just creating more depth holes and only get so many draft picks.