The Bengals’ offseason plans are coming into focus, and the 2025 NFL Draft might be a major a part of it.
On Monday, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported that Cincinnati intends to re-sign three of its most efficient gamers, extensive receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and defensive finish Trey Hendrickson.
The Bengals are anticipated to use the franchise tag to Higgins for the second consecutive season, whereas Chase and Hendrickson are coming into the ultimate yr of their respective offers.
Chase clinched the NFL receiving triple crown in 2024, ending the yr first in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,704) and receiving touchdowns (17).
Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks (17.5), whereas Higgins had 911 receiving yards and a career-high 10 receiving touchdowns in 12 video games.
The Bengals should not have problem paying the three stars. Per Over The Cap, Cincinnati has an estimated $46.3 million in cap area. Chase ($21.8 million) and Hendrickson ($18.7 million) have two of the crew’s three highest cap numbers for 2025, however these figures will decrease with extensions.
Conserving the trio in Cincinnati is likely to be simpler than it appears. The extra difficult half might be including to a roster that has didn’t make the playoffs for 2 consecutive seasons.
The Bengals had one of many league’s worst defenses a season in the past. They have been No. 25 in each complete (348.3 yards per recreation) and scoring protection (25.5 factors per recreation).
The Bengals will not be able to pursue free brokers aggressively, doubtless solely having the ability to provide quick one- or two-year offers whereas accounting for his or her stars’ rising cap prices in 2026 and past.
That is the place the draft comes into play. Cincinnati’s finest method to enhance the protection might be by discovering prospects on reasonably priced rookie offers.
The Bengals are proper to prioritize protecting their finest gamers in-house, however that may come on the expense of heavy investments in enhancing the protection.
If Cincinnati rebounds from consecutive 9-8 seasons, will probably be as a lot because of a profitable 2025 NFL Draft as from protecting the band collectively.
