You are Katie, which contract do you finalize first?

[Joelist]

Gotta hit the one hitting the market first. Then you can work on the others.

[kalibengal]

(02-11-2025, 07:58 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: Katie has a number of contract situations to deal with in next 30 to 90 day. Who do you prioritize to finalize first, second and so on.

Joe has hinted at restructuring his deal. I think Katie has have Joe's deal first, so she knows exactly the cap dollars she has available. Next, I would do Chase, he will break the bank and need to know how much. She could stand pat and have him play on 5th year option, but if me I would extend him for 5 or 6 years. Next, I would extend Trey, he earned an extension and raise. Last of the big 4 I would attempt to sign Tee with either the intent to keep him for 4 or 5 years or trade him.

What would you do if Katie?

1st move is to send Mike B on long vacation away from telephones

[*bengalfan74*]

(02-12-2025, 11:30 AM)Truck_1_0_1_ Wrote: It isn't a matter of opinion people lol: if you ARE GOING TO sign all 3, Higgins is first.

If he gets to FA, he's most-likely gone, so if you're serious about signing him, he gets done in the next 2 weeks.

Then it would be Chase.

At first I was Chase. But the more I think about it the more I agree with this. I don't know what restructuring JB looks like or how that will work time frame wise?

But if they're SERIOUSLY going to try and retain Tee it needs to happen ASAP! Like you say if he gets to free agency it's very, VERY, unlikely we retain him. But the need to restructure Ja'Marr and Trey soon as well. We don't need distractions again come OTA time.

They've got a lot of work to do.

[Whatever]

(02-11-2025, 07:58 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: Katie has a number of contract situations to deal with in next 30 to 90 day. Who do you prioritize to finalize first, second and so on.

Joe has hinted at restructuring his deal. I think Katie has have Joe's deal first, so she knows exactly the cap dollars she has available. Next, I would do Chase, he will break the bank and need to know how much. She could stand pat and have him play on 5th year option, but if me I would extend him for 5 or 6 years. Next, I would extend Trey, he earned an extension and raise. Last of the big 4 I would attempt to sign Tee with either the intent to keep him for 4 or 5 years or trade him.

What would you do if Katie?

Joe has basically said that he is willing to restructure to keep star players on the team.  He is going to want deals in place with some or all of the others before renegotiating because of he does so before hand, he could wind up taking a pay cut only for all three to walk.  If you want to take money out of his pocket, he's going to reasonably want guarantees that the money is being put to good use

Chase comes first.  He's the youngest and the best out of he, Trey, and Tee.  Honestly, discarding positional value, you can make a real argument for him being the best overall player on the team.  Plus, Joe will not restructure if he's not guaranteed to keep his boy.  

Next, I would say Trey.  Simply put, WAYYY more consistent production than Tee and losing a premier pass rusher would kill the defense dead.

Then you look at Tee.  He would be nice to keep, but inconsistent production mainly due to being injury prone make him a risk. Combine that with the fact that he's only the WR2 and several notches below Chase, Trey, and Joe and he's simply not the highest priority.

Once I know what's going on with those three, then I go to Joe and tell him "This is what I need from you to make this happen."

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(02-12-2025, 12:35 PM)Whatever Wrote: Joe has basically said that he is willing to restructure to keep star players on the team.  He is going to want deals in place with some or all of the others before renegotiating because of he does so before hand, he could wind up taking a pay cut only for all three to walk.  If you want to take money out of his pocket, he's going to reasonably want guarantees that the money is being put to good use

Joe Burrow said he was open to restructuring. (Because obviously he would be, you're getting paid in advance.)
Joe Burrow NEVER said he was open to a pay cut.

[jfkbengals]

(02-12-2025, 11:53 AM)Joelist Wrote: Gotta hit the one hitting the market first. Then you can work on the others.

That is my approach.  Get Tee done first, with the actual free cap dollars we have.  Next comes Gesicki, then get started with Trey and Jamarr to come to an agreement in principle of the dollar amounts and structure.  At that point, you go to the Bank of Joe and show him the numbers we need to withdraw.  You have to have agreed contracts prior to approaching Burrow, because that puts the onus on him to follow through.  Re-work Burrow first, only to fail at any of the negotiations, and you are pretty much guaranteed he will leave town as soon as he can maneuver it.

[*ochocincos*]

Only one of Higgins, Chase, and Hendrickson is set to hit FA next month.

He has to be priority or the Bengals likely lose him.
We've seen too often Bengals let someone hit FA and are surprised that player gets the offers they do, only to lose them.

Hendrickson is the only worthwhile DL to pay another contract for currently, coming off as sack leader, and is in final year under contract.
While he may drop off some over these next couple years, I think he can be a double-digit sack guy for 2-3 more years, so I'd look to get an extension for him this Summer on an extra 1-year or 2-year deal.

Chase is a justifiable tag (twice) candidate, so there's time for him.
Each year that goes by bumps up his cost though on new deal.

[*psychdoctor*]

Chase
Hendrickson
Higgins
Mike G.
in that order

[Bengalfan4life27c]

Chase is my favorite player and maybe the goat football player when he is done WTS Tre Hendrickson politely asked for a trade or new contract last year led the league in sacks with and an All Pro with no help so Tre gets my vote.

[Bengalbug]

Chase has to be first to see where the money is, and soon. Then they work on Tee, or franchise him. Then you worry about Trey. I doubt Trey passes on 17.5m and sits out this year, but I could be wrong. The burrow restructure happens after Chase, if it happens at all. I am not sure the bengals want to ever be in a position like the cowboys where the QB is a $90+m cap hit. Or the saints who have to shed $75m, just to be compliant.

[Bengalfan4life27c]

Tre is easiest give him a 3 year deal with a 4th year option and extend him and put most of the money into a signing bonus

[Luvnit2]

Good discussion. Those on the Chase train convinced me, he should be first. He will not play on his current contract. Also, we need to know his contract before we sign Tee. If Chase breaks the bank, FO may tag and trade Tee, but that has been done in mid-March I believe so important to get Chase done in next 2 weeks in my opinion.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(02-12-2025, 02:26 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Chase is a justifiable tag (twice) candidate, so there's time for him.

Chase likely doesn't play in 2025 if he doesn't get an extension, let alone under two franchise tags where he'll be underpaid by about $10-15m/yr with no guarantees for the future. If you don't extend Chase this offseason, he'll be just as gone as any FA and will request a trade while sitting-in despite being the only one of the three who hasn't requested a trade yet.

[*ochocincos*]

(02-12-2025, 03:05 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Chase likely doesn't play in 2025 if he doesn't get an extension, let alone under two franchise tags where he'll be underpaid by about $10-15m/yr with no guarantees for the future. If you don't extend Chase this offseason, he'll be just as gone as any FA and will request a trade while sitting-in despite being the only one of the three who hasn't requested a trade yet.

You legit think he'll sit out if he doesn't get an extension?
I don't.

Now would that potentially impact his desire to sign a long-term deal if he's tagged? Perhaps, but the tag is something that can be fallen back on if they can't get it done.

Regardless, they can work on an extension with him after FA starts, it doesn't have to be done before Higgins is re-signed.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(02-12-2025, 03:53 PM)ochocincos Wrote: You legit think he'll sit out if he doesn't get an extension?
I don't.

Now would that potentially impact his desire to sign a long-term deal if he's tagged? Perhaps, but the tag is something that can be fallen back on if they can't get it done.

Regardless, they can work on an extension with him after FA starts, it doesn't have to be done before Higgins is re-signed.

I legit think someone who had to pay for a $50m insurance policy rather than take less than what he thought he was worth and had stated he wants to be paid the most among WRs in the NFL would sit-in or have a soft tissue injury rather than be stuck getting underpaid and locked into a 3 season year-by-year no-future-guarantees basis after coming off a 1st Team All-Pro Triple Crown season (during which he made under $4.9m). Even MORE so if the Bengals pay Tee and not him. Watching not just every other WR in the league get paid, but also your second fiddle? Relationship ruined.

There's literally nothing (on the field performance-wise) that would keep another team not be willing to pay him at this point, there's nothing he needs to prove. He could put up 0 yards in 2025 due to "soft tissue injury" and still be made the highest paid WR in the NFL if he hit FA or got traded because every other team would blame the Bengals in that situation.

[*bengalfan74*]

(02-12-2025, 04:20 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: I legit think someone who had to pay for a $50m insurance policy rather than take less than what he thought he was worth and had stated he wants to be paid the most among WRs in the NFL would sit-in or have a soft tissue injury rather than be stuck getting underpaid and locked into a 3 season year-by-year no-future-guarantees basis after coming off a 1st Team All-Pro Triple Crown season (during which he made under $4.9m). Even MORE so if the Bengals pay Tee and not him. Watching not just every other WR in the league get paid, but also your second fiddle? Relationship ruined.

There's literally nothing (on the field performance-wise) that would keep another team not be willing to pay him at this point, there's nothing he needs to prove. He could put up 0 yards in 2025 due to "soft tissue injury" and still be made the highest paid WR in the NFL if he hit FA or got traded because every other team would blame the Bengals in that situation.

Exactly!!

The Bengals have very near 0 wiggle room with Chase. If they don't pay him and pay him well they're going to open up a giant can of worms.

[007BengalsFan]

Did anyone watch the Super Bowl?  We need to have elite talent on the defensive live.  That means Trey and it means we need to add free agent talent.  This is more important than keeping Tee.  We cant afford to pay Burrow 55 million, Chase 36 million and Tee 30 million.  That would be 121 million of a 272 million cap for just 3 guys on offense.  Do we not want a defense next year?  The priority should be Chase, Trey then look to add a free agent guard or two along with a DT or two.  We can not go into next season relying on Rankins and our two rookies.  That is a recipe for another disaster of a season. 

[*bfine32*]

(02-12-2025, 09:49 AM)XenoMorph Wrote: he should have been traded while on the tag now we will get nothing as he walks

I'd imagine he'd bring us a 3rd RD Comp.

As to the OP Tee should be first. They need to pitch their best offer between now and FEB 20th and if they cannot work a deal place the Transition Tag on him. 

Once Tee is settled, work on JC and Trey. All of this should be settled by 10 MAR 25

We can make those happen without a JB restructure, but the last move should be talking JB to restructure to bing in a couple "Big" FAs

[007BengalsFan]

(02-12-2025, 02:26 PM)ochocincos Wrote: ...Chase is a justifiable tag (twice) candidate, so there's time for him.
Each year that goes by bumps up his cost though on new deal.

They could tag Chase twice or even three times and still get him for much less than what he is demanding over the next 3 or 4 years.  You wouldnt want to do this however as it would create an unhappy player.  At the same time this also should be a notice to Chase that he needs to come back with a fair salary offer and not something outrageous because if you get too outrageous the Bengals could simply tag him multiple times.  Threatening to sit out or retire doesnt work with the Brown family. 

[*ochocincos*]

(02-12-2025, 06:15 PM)007BengalsFan Wrote: They could tag Chase twice or even three times and still get him for much less than what he is demanding over the next 3 or 4 years.  You wouldnt want to do this however as it would create an unhappy player.  At the same time this also should be a notice to Chase that he needs to come back with a fair salary offer and not something outrageous because if you get too outrageous the Bengals could simply tag him multiple times.  Threatening to sit out or retire doesnt work with the Brown family. 

Here's the situation though...

Worst case, Bengals can have Chase for the next 3 years due to the double-tag.
There isn't technically anything Chase can do about it.

If he doesn't report, Bengals get that $$ back that can be used elsewhere.
If he misses just some games but doesn't hit the report deadline for the tag year to count, that's also some $$ they get back.

There really isn't that much power Chase holds in this situation other than holding up some cap that the Bengals could use on other players, but they can get some back going into the following year if he doesn't report.

Sucks for the potential longevity of the player with the current team and the potential impact to the current year of not having an elite guy out there, but financially it doesn't hurt the Bengals much.