2023 Off-season thread

[Bengals1]

Chad Forbes @NFLDraftBites
Told many would be surprised if #Falcons didn’t sign Jessie Bates III. A GM & new Defensive Coordinator that have spent heavily on safeties in the past. Falcons also in on Front 4 players.

[4256 Hits]

From Bengals Wire, via Hobson

Geoff Hobson recently spoke with agent Leigh Steinberg, author of plenty of historic deals in his own right, and the net result is a positive for fans worried about this topic.

Steinberg says there’s little reason to panic over the extension talks unfolding this offseason.

“Honestly, this appears to be a very happy marriage,” Steinberg said. “I don’t think this is going to be a difficult contract. It may be complex, but not difficult. I’d imagine you won’t hear anything about it until it’s done.”

Steinberg actually goes as far as to classify most quarterback contract extensions as the easiest contracts to do because there’s an agreed-upon market value, which lets the parties work on things behind the scenes.

Things are a little more complex for say, the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson right now, thanks to the Cleveland Browns and Deshaun Watson.

But Cincinnati? Ja’Marr Chase has already hinted Burrow might do a deal in a manner that lets the Bengals keep the weapons around him. That’s always been the general vibe, too — Burrow will likely become the NFL’s highest-paid passer, but the structure will be such (rolling guarantees like Mahomes in Kansas City, perhaps) that the team still keeps cap space wide open to pay others

The Mahomes type contract are great in early years but are cap busters near the end. KC will feel the pain soon.

[Joe Bananas]

From Bengals Wire, via Hobson

Geoff Hobson recently spoke with agent Leigh Steinberg, author of plenty of historic deals in his own right, and the net result is a positive for fans worried about this topic.

Steinberg says there’s little reason to panic over the extension talks unfolding this offseason.

“Honestly, this appears to be a very happy marriage,” Steinberg said. “I don’t think this is going to be a difficult contract. It may be complex, but not difficult. I’d imagine you won’t hear anything about it until it’s done.”

Steinberg actually goes as far as to classify most quarterback contract extensions as the easiest contracts to do because there’s an agreed-upon market value, which lets the parties work on things behind the scenes.

Things are a little more complex for say, the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson right now, thanks to the Cleveland Browns and Deshaun Watson.

But Cincinnati? Ja’Marr Chase has already hinted Burrow might do a deal in a manner that lets the Bengals keep the weapons around him. That’s always been the general vibe, too — Burrow will likely become the NFL’s highest-paid passer, but the structure will be such (rolling guarantees like Mahomes in Kansas City, perhaps) that the team still keeps cap space wide open to pay others

The Mahomes type contract are great in early years but are cap busters near the end. KC will feel the pain soon.

Yeah, agree. It seems like the Browns like loading the front end rather than the back end. Which is smart actually. Hope something gets done soon though.

[Jmble]

Left Tackle Taylor Lewan anyone?

From CBS Sports

For the first time in his NFL career, Taylor Lewan is a free agent. The left tackle became available last week after Tennessee released him in a cost-cutting move that saved the team more than $14 million in salary cap space.

Lewan was drafted by the Titans with the 11th overall pick in 2014 and over the past nine seasons, Tennessee is the only NFL home he's ever known. However, that will be changing now that Lewan is a free agent.

Although Lewan is still in the early stages of trying to figure out where he's going to end up next, the three-time Pro Bowler has already eliminated three options. During the latest episode of the "Bussin' With The Boys" podcast with Will Compton, Lewan made it very clear that he would never sign with the Jaguars, Texans or Colts.

"Those are the three teams that are for sure, no," Lewan said. "I would not go play for an AFC South team."

Lewan was then asked if he would consider signing with one of those teams if they offered him a contract worth $20 million per year and he had a simple one-word answer to that.

"No."

With those three teams and the Titans definitely out of the running, that leaves 28 teams that Lewan could eventually sign with. During the podcast, Compton asked him about a few other teams and Lewan seemed to rule out the Falcons, Cardinals and 49ers during that conversation.

On the other hand, one team Lewan sounded VERY interested in was the Cincinnati Bengals. Lewan was asked to name some winners or teams that he would be interested in signing with and the Bengals just happened to be the first team he mentioned.

"I know the Bengals need a left tackle," Lewan said before repeating himself. "I know the Bengals need a left tackle.

The Bengals currently have Jonah Williams at left tackle, but he's going into the final year of his rookie deal. He's also coming off a knee injury that kept him from playing against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.

Lewan would likely be an upgrade over Williams, but only if he can stay healthy. Although Lewan was one of the best left tackles in football during his first six seasons, he's missed a total of 30 games over the past three seasons. He tore the ACL in his right knee in 2020, which caused him to miss 11 games, and then he tore that same ACL again in 2022, which caused him to miss 15 games.

If he were willing to sign a one-year prove-it deal, the Bengals might be interested, but if Lewan is looking for a substantial amount of money, Cincinnati would likely stay away.

If Lewan doesn't end up with the Bengals, he also listed the Steelers, Saints and Eagles as teams he might be interested in signing with.

[Jmble]

Left Tackle Taylor Lewan anyone?

He's 31, so he's got that going against him, but he is still performing when healthy.

I can't remember the last time the Bengals signed somebody over the age of 30, but if they view Left Tackle as a key to get them over the hump, you never know.

From CBS Sports

For the first time in his NFL career, Taylor Lewan is a free agent. The left tackle became available last week after Tennessee released him in a cost-cutting move that saved the team more than $14 million in salary cap space.

Lewan was drafted by the Titans with the 11th overall pick in 2014 and over the past nine seasons, Tennessee is the only NFL home he's ever known. However, that will be changing now that Lewan is a free agent.

Although Lewan is still in the early stages of trying to figure out where he's going to end up next, the three-time Pro Bowler has already eliminated three options. During the latest episode of the "Bussin' With The Boys" podcast with Will Compton, Lewan made it very clear that he would never sign with the Jaguars, Texans or Colts.

"Those are the three teams that are for sure, no," Lewan said. "I would not go play for an AFC South team."

Lewan was then asked if he would consider signing with one of those teams if they offered him a contract worth $20 million per year and he had a simple one-word answer to that.

"No."

With those three teams and the Titans definitely out of the running, that leaves 28 teams that Lewan could eventually sign with. During the podcast, Compton asked him about a few other teams and Lewan seemed to rule out the Falcons, Cardinals and 49ers during that conversation.

On the other hand, one team Lewan sounded VERY interested in was the Cincinnati Bengals. Lewan was asked to name some winners or teams that he would be interested in signing with and the Bengals just happened to be the first team he mentioned.

"I know the Bengals need a left tackle," Lewan said before repeating himself. "I know the Bengals need a left tackle.

The Bengals currently have Jonah Williams at left tackle, but he's going into the final year of his rookie deal. He's also coming off a knee injury that kept him from playing against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.

Lewan would likely be an upgrade over Williams, but only if he can stay healthy. Although Lewan was one of the best left tackles in football during his first six seasons, he's missed a total of 30 games over the past three seasons. He tore the ACL in his right knee in 2020, which caused him to miss 11 games, and then he tore that same ACL again in 2022, which caused him to miss 15 games.

If he were willing to sign a one-year prove-it deal, the Bengals might be interested, but if Lewan is looking for a substantial amount of money, Cincinnati would likely stay away.

If Lewan doesn't end up with the Bengals, he also listed the Steelers, Saints and Eagles as teams he might be interested in signing with.

[Jmble]

Here's what The Athletic said about him in the Free Agent Rankings

30. Taylor Lewan, LT, Titans (32)
Lewan’s contract outpaced his play in recent seasons, and injuries (two torn ACLs in three seasons) struck hard, leading to his release from the Titans. The three-time Pro Bowler and nine-year veteran told the team’s web site before his release that he was considering retirement. But if he plans to keep playing, Lewan should draw significant interest. When healthy, he remains a solid starter in a league that can never seem to find enough quality offensive tackles. — DeChant

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I would only want him if it is a low base contract and bonuses for playing time. Not sure he can stay healthy to help the team.

[Bengals1]

Classy move...

Titans drop off recently released player's belongings on his doorstep in garbage bags...

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/titans-d ... rbage-bags

[MeatHeadbengal]

"We're going to spend to the cap"

Not the same ol' Bengals

https://twitter.com/SiriusXMNFL/status/ ... 2044722178

[Joe Bananas]

I would only want him if it is a low base contract and bonuses for playing time. Not sure he can stay healthy to help the team.

Yeah. Basically if he comes cheap and if he's a true upgrade over Jonah then yes.