Free Agency 2023 Thread.

[Joe Bananas]

Sounds as if from all I'm reading that Mikey and them are extremely valuing the comp picks from Bates and others and basically values them over anyone in FA. I'm not sure that if we do sign anyone that they'll be no more than just a 2nd or 3rd string body. If they sign a top 2 under 30 FA now they are going to lost their 3rd round comp pick we got from Bates walking. I realistically cannot see this team signing anyone with any or much quality due to the way they are valuing the comp picks they are going to get.

[Bengals1]

Super Bowl bound baby!

Report: Bengals Re-Sign Running Back Trayveon Williams

CINCINNATI — The Bengals are bringing back running back Trayveon Williams on a new deal.

Williams had 6 carries for 30 yards last season. He was a solid kick returner last season, returning 16 boots for 356 yards (22.25 average). 10 of those returns were for 20-plus yards.

[Joe Bananas]

I had a feeling Mikey wouldn't want the staff to be active in FA until Burrow is extended. Plus a few months ago if you read the article where they talked to him he made comments about this. Made comments that the chiefs had to let alot of talent go in order for them to pay Mahomes what they did and they're still ok... just reading between the lines.

Basically he's saving his money. Oh m he'll spend it, he had too, but the Readers, Hendricksons, and other quality vet starters aren't on their radar. He focused on Burrow and others. Which I mean I can't blame him. Why sign a top TE, a top S and a top CB and not be able to afford Burrow??

Plus, as I said earlier, they are really really really valuing the comp picks they are going to recieve next year. Which I don't understand. Why take a chance on a 3rd or 5th rounder and say you know what in 2027 they're gonna be quality starters....maybe.... why not spend what you need to spend on proven NFL guys now and be ready now and not in 2027 or 2028...?

The future is now with this team. It's almost like he's in semi-rebuild mode.

[Bengals1]

Plus, as I said earlier, they are really really really valuing the comp picks they are going to recieve next year. Which I don't understand. Why take a chance on a 3rd or 5th rounder and say you know what in 2027 they're gonna be quality starters....maybe.... why not spend what you need to spend on proven NFL guys now and be ready now and not in 2027 or 2028...?

The answer is $$$$. It almost always is with SoP.

A TE like Hurst is going to cost you 7mil+ for 3 years. A 3rd or 4th round TE on a rookie contract is going to cost the team 2mil/yr or less for 4 years. Same with a mid-round RB vs Peestain or Elliot etc...

SoP has simply never believed in paying big money to veteran Free Agents. He's explained his philosophy in interviews over the past few years. His feeling is that if a veteran player was really worth all that money why didn't his original team pay it to him? So now that he's hit the market why should the Bengals give him a huge contract when the team that knows him best wouldn't...? That's just how SoP looks at it....period.

It's all about the Benjamins...

[Joe Bananas]

From Paul Daughtry

I swear this is allllllll they have been raving about.

The Bengals have now maxed out their 2024 compensatory picks at four, with a 6th rounder for Hayden Hurst going to Carolina, as pick #4

As I said. I like comp picks too but I want players now! Not in 3 years. Cmon guys!

[Joe Bananas]

Plus, as I said earlier, they are really really really valuing the comp picks they are going to recieve next year. Which I don't understand. Why take a chance on a 3rd or 5th rounder and say you know what in 2027 they're gonna be quality starters....maybe.... why not spend what you need to spend on proven NFL guys now and be ready now and not in 2027 or 2028...?

The answer is $$$$. It almost always is with SoP.

A TE like Hurst is going to cost you 7mil+ for 3 years. A 3rd or 4th round TE on a rookie contract is going to cost the team 2mil/yr or less for 4 years. Same with a mid-round RB vs Peestain or Elliot etc...

SoP has simply never believed in paying big money to veteran Free Agents. He's explained his philosophy in interviews over the past few years. His feeling is that if a veteran player was really worth all that money why didn't his original team pay it to him? So now that he's hit the market why should the Bengals give him a huge contract when the team that knows him best wouldn't...? That's just how SoP looks at it....period.

It's all about the Benjamins...

Well yeah agree. I just can't believe that the future is now and all the team talks about is collecting comp picks. Gee whiz. I'll tell ya right now if we don't get better than we was last year then this team will be lucky to make the playoffs. So far we are weaker than we were last year. And absolutely no rumors or signs or extending or signing anyone. Guess they gonna have to count on the draft. But here's the thing. Now we HAVE to draft for need and not BPA. NOW we have to draft a CB, S, RB, TE, NOW we don't have the luxury of picking whomever we want. Sad days..... I'm sorry but it is.

[Bengals1]

Well yeah agree. I just can't believe that the future is now and all the team talks about is collecting comp picks. Gee whiz. I'll tell ya right now if we don't get better than we was last year then this team will be lucky to make the playoffs. So far we are weaker than we were last year. And absolutely no rumors or signs or extending or signing anyone. Guess they gonna have to count on the draft. But here's the thing. Now we HAVE to draft for need and not BPA. NOW we have to draft a CB, S, RB, TE, NOW we don't have the luxury of picking whomever we want. Sad days..... I'm sorry but it is.

I understand but I still think we'll sign a veteran Safety and maybe a low cost veteran TE before the draft. Just a hunch..

[stripesincarolina]

I'd be willing to bet that Tyler Boyd is on the trade block for a safety. You cant let Mixon go yet, but if they have determined that Higgins stays no matter what, Boyd could be trade bait.

[Joe Bananas]

Well yeah agree. I just can't believe that the future is now and all the team talks about is collecting comp picks. Gee whiz. I'll tell ya right now if we don't get better than we was last year then this team will be lucky to make the playoffs. So far we are weaker than we were last year. And absolutely no rumors or signs or extending or signing anyone. Guess they gonna have to count on the draft. But here's the thing. Now we HAVE to draft for need and not BPA. NOW we have to draft a CB, S, RB, TE, NOW we don't have the luxury of picking whomever we want. Sad days..... I'm sorry but it is.

I understand but I still think we'll sign a veteran Safety and maybe a low cost veteran TE before the draft. Just a hunch..

Yes. But it won't be anyone worth a fck. If they sign a top tier under 30 FA then they lose that 3rd rounder. Mikey values picks more than he does players. So when it's daid and done yes we'll sign bodies, not players - there's a huge difference.

[MeatHeadbengal]

I see a lot of what I feel is over reaction from fans for not jumping in and signing the big name on day 1. However I feel that this team has a plan and they've been working the plan.

We resigned Pratt, that's a big return. I think they had an idea they were going to lose Bell and we all knew deep down we were going to lose Bates. I know from reports we were in on the Safety from Philly we just we're his choice in the end. Hurst while he might have been a fan favorite can be replaced, if you look at his numbers they weren't that great, and if I recall they weren't even as good as Uzamah's the year prior.

They are going to resign Higgins and Burrow this year, and we're going to find vet's on cheap 1 to 2 year prove it deals, but I think this will be after they do find at least 1 safety.