The season is over and free agency is right around the corner. The legal tampering period begins on March 14, with free agency beginning only a couple of days later on the 16th. Prior to the tampering period, the team can only sign their own players to extensions. The Bengals have announced a couple of smaller ones, including Jalen Davis and Trent Taylor, but most of the big name guys are left unsigned, with less than 2 weeks remaining before they can hit the open market. Let’s take a look at the in-house free agents that the team must make decisions on.
Unrestricted Free Agents:
– S, Jessie Bates
Bates is the biggest name on the Bengals list of free agents. After being selected in the 2nd round of the 2018 NFL Draft, he has gone on to become one of the best safeties in the league. Although his regular season was somewhat of a down one, by his standard, he showed in the playoffs why he deserves the pay raise that he is about to get. That question is whether that raise will come in the form of a long term deal, or the franchise tag. Bates market price is somewhere in the $15M AAV range. And of course, guaranteed money and term will factor into any potential deal.
Both sides have indicated their desire to get a deal done. However, if they are unable to reach one by the franchise tag deadline, the Bengals will use the franchise tag on Bates. Under the tag, he will earn $13.544M on a 1 year contract. If franchise tagged, the two sides can still negotiate a long term deal up until the deadline in July.
– DT, Larry Ogunjobi
Ogunjobi is off a 1 year prove it deal in which he made $6.2M. He rewarded the Bengals with 7 sacks. While his progression as a pass rusher was excellent, he also played well against the run, something he did more of back in his Cleveland days. The soon to be 28 year old improved his stock this season and will likely be looking for a raise. He was a big part of the team’s defence and the Bengals surely want to keep him. That said, there will be competition for his services.
– DT, BJ Hill
The Bengals traded Billy Price to the Giants in exchange for BJ Hill prior to week 1. Price had been a failed 1st round pick for the Bengals, and they looked to take advantage of a Giants team searching for OL depth. Hill, to that point, had also underperformed, after a solid rookie season. However, the upside was never a question. Once in Cincinnati, Hill looked much more like the player the Giants were hoping to get when they drafted him. He provided a well rounded rotational piece for the Bengals DL, holding up against the run, while contributing 5.5 sacks.
Hill made close to $1.012M in 2021 and, like Ogunjobi, seems to be in line for a raise. You figure at least one of Ogunjobi and Hill will be back. However, it will be tough to keep both of them. That said, there is some hope, as the Bengals have over $50M in cap space to play with, even before they inevitably cut Trae Waynes.
– CB, Eli Apple
The Bengals took a $1.2M flyer on Apple in free agency. The former 1st round pick had bounced around a bit and was looking to resurrect his career. Widely expected to slot in as the CB4, Apple ended up starting most of the season on the boundary, first filling in while Waynes was injured, and then because he supplanted Waynes on the depth chart. Despite the largely unfounded public opinion of him, Apple had more than a solid year, as he finally played to the ability that was expected of him when he was drafted.
While he will likely command more than the measly $1.2M he made last year, Apple is not expected to break the bank. If they can keep him in the $3M-$4M range, they should definitely look to do that. Whether Apple or someone else, there seems to be a good chance the team goes into the offseason with a veteran and rookie competing for the number 2 spot, opposite Awuzie.
– TE, CJ Uzomah
Uzomah enjoyed his best season as a pro, racking up 493 yards and 5 TD’s. This coming off a torn achilles injury suffered in week 2 of the 2020 season. Uzomah proved to be a very solid complimentary piece in the offence, while also serving as one of the biggest leaders in the locker room.
The issue with Uzomah is that it comes down to value. He is now 29 years old, isn’t an elite threat, and will likely be able to get something in the $8M range, along with term. Is that a contract the Bengals can afford for a good but not great TE that is nearing 30?
Additionally, it seems to be an excellent TE class in the draft, meaning the Bengals can add someone, with more upside, on a cheaper contract.
Losing Uzomah would certainly be a blow to the culture in the room, and his production will have to be replaced. But it seems increasingly possible, if not, probable that he will need to take a discounted price in order to stay.
– G, Quinton Spain
The OL continues to be a point of emphasis for the Bengals. And while the 2021 lineup did not cut it, Spain was one of the brighter spots (if you exclude his final snap of the Super Bowl).
Now on the wrong side of 30, it would not be a surprise to see him walk. Especially with the Bengals expected to be in the mix for multiple outside free agents at the position, as well as some of the highly rated draft prospects, and with Jackson Carman still in the picture. That said, if they can keep him on a 1 year deal in the $1M-$2.5M range, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him back, either as competition or a bridge player.
– OT, Riley Reiff
Reiff is one of the more interesting free agents for the Bengals to think about. They originally signed him to a 1 year, $7.5M contract last year. The now 33 year old was an upgrade over Bobby Hart, and was missed when Isaiah Price had to fill in for him in the playoffs after he got hurt.
While $7.5M might be a bit high, Reiff could get a similar contract either as a swing tackle or a spot starter. Considering he was solid at RT for the Bengals, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him back for one more year. That said, there are other options in free agency, and even the draft, that might end up being better long term solutions. At this point, Reiff re-signing can’t be ruled out, but the chances seem to be 50/50 at best.
– LS, Clark Harris
Despite the fact that he will be 38 in July, Harris has continued to be a valuable member of the Bengals special teams unit. You don’t hear his name often, and as a long snapper, that is a good thing. His consistency snapping the ball, and ability to get down the field after the ball is punted, has made him one of the better ones in the league.
With his age, the question of how long he can keep doing it will always linger. However, the Bengals don’t currently have another long snapper on the roster. At one point, they seemed to be grooming Dan Godsil to take over, but he unexpectedly retired last offseason. Until shown otherwise, I’d expect him to be back for at least another year.
– CB, Tre Flowers
Flowers was a mid-season pickup by the Bengals after he was cut by the Seahawks. Lou Anarumo found a nice niche for him, using him primarily in coverage against TE’s. There were some early inconsistencies, but he did seem to grow into it. Whatever happens with Flowers won’t be a surprise. However, I do think that they would like to have him back as a depth piece.
– WR, Auden Tate
Statistically, Tate had a down year. He wasn’t used as often, with Chace, Higgins, and Boyd sitting above him on the depth chart. He also missed a significant amount of time due to injury.
While he is not the biggest threat athletically, we have all seen Tate’s highlight reel ability through the air. It would be great to keep him. Unfortunately, the sense seems to be that he wants more playing time. Things can change, but right now, it seems like he won’t be back next year.
– CB, Darius Phillips
Phillips might be in a similar spot as Tate. While talented, it just doesn’t seem to be in the cards for him to move up the depth chart in Cincinnati. Like Tate, he had a down year. But we have seen plenty of flashes when he has slotted in at CB. Unfortunately, inconsistency has plagued him.
Phillips has an added element to his situation, as he spent much of the year as the team’s primary punt returner. Despite his great athleticism and previous success, he didn’t have a great year. His multiple muffs against the 49ers did not do him any favours either.
As a talented player, it would be nice to keep him around with the hope that he improves. However, the Bengals might be ready to wash their hands, and Phillips might chase greener grass on the other side of the fence, anyways.
– DT, Josh Tupou
Tupou opted out of the 2020 season due to covid, but regained his role as a rotational piece for 2021. He doesn’t offer a ton as a pass rusher, but is good against the run, and is able to eat up blocks. However, the Bengals could add to the position in the draft. As well, they invested a 4th round pick in 2021 on Tyler Shelvin, who is a similar player. I wouldn’t rule anything out here, but it seems like he could be someone they let walk in free agency.
– P, Kevin Huber
Huber has been with the team for over a decade. Losing him would be tough for some. That said, his play has declined in recent years, and younger options at the position are usually cheaper.
The team has had Drue Chrisman bouncing more than a basketball, continuously going through the rotation of signing him to the practice squad, releasing him, and then signing him again. They obviously like the young punter, who was signed as a UDFA in 2021. It is possible that they view him as the guy who will take over for Huber. If this is the case, the question becomes whether Huber returns as an offseason security blanket, or if they bring in another cheap free agent. Likely the ladder.
– LB, Jordan Evans
Evans was having a solid season in a depth/special teams role before reading his ACL earlier in the season. However, once he went down, guys like Markus Bailey, Clay Johnston, and Joe Bachie filled in nicely.
Johnston is an ERFA (will touch on him later in the article) and should be back, while Markus Bailey and Akeem Davis-Gaither should be on the team next year. Bachie could potentially be brought back as well. With the depth they have at the position, it may be time they let Evans go. Maybe they decide to bring him back once more as a camp body and injury insurance, but even that is a big question mark.
– QB, Brandon Allen
Allen has served as the primary backup to Joe Burrow for the past season and a half, roughly. He filled in while Burrow was out, and showed that he is capable in a spot start. He possesses the baseline requirement of a backup QB — the ability to run the offence and win some games if the team helps him out. In 2020, he beat up on bad defences, like the Texans. However, as we saw in his spot start in week 18 against the Browns, things won’t go well if the guys around him don’t carry a lot of the load.
Allen works well with Burrow, and I do expect him back. The team could potentially bring in some competition at the position. But it is still likely that he will be part of that competition.
– WR, Mike Thomas
Thomas has played very sparingly on offence, but has been a major contributor on special teams. He has been one of the team’s best gunners over the past two seasons. It is hard to say whether they bring him back. The value he brings on special teams is something to consider, but perhaps they look to the draft to find a depth option with more offensive upside.
– CB, Vernon Hargreaves
Hargreaves was a mid-season pickup for the Bengals. He played very sparingly, being used mostly on special teams when he wasn’t a healthy scratch. Will will likely be most remembered by Bengals fans for getting flagged in the Super Bowl, despite being a healthy scratch.
As a former 1st round pick, he does have talent. Is it possible they see potential and wish to try their hand at unlocking it? Sure. But it seems more likely that they will let him walk in free agency.
Restricted Free Agents:
– OT, Fred Johnson
As a restricted Free agent, the Bengals can render Johnson at one of three levels and also match any offer received. Either a 1st round, 2nd round, or original round tender. That would determine the compensation the team receives if they choose not to match his offer and let him sign with another team. However, as a UDFA, an original round tender would result in no compensation.
Given the salary that would come with the first two options, the original round tender seems likely. Johnson is someone I’d like to see back. He is a solid depth option and position versatile. However, Johnson seemed to fall out of favour with the coaching staff, losing his place to Isaiah Prince. For that reason, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them move on.
– WR, Stanley Morgan
Morgan has been used very sparingly as a receiver. However, you could argue that he is the best special teamer on the Bengals. This past year, he was also used situationally as a blocker in the run game. While he wouldn’t be a lock for the 53 man roster, I think the Bengals will get a deal done to bring Morgan back.
Exclusive Rights Free Agents:
– LB, Clay Johnston
Johnston was a late season addition but was solid when the Bengals had to tap into their depth. As an ERFA, the team is in control of the situation. Unless released into unrestricted free agency, Johnston would only be able to negotiate with the Bengals. These kind of deals are usually simpler. We could see guys like Johnson signing in the near future.
– TE Mitch Wilcox, WR Trenton Irwin, DE Wyatt Ray
All are in team control, but it would not be a surprise to see the Bengals let them go. Wilcox did have a role in special teams and as a blocker. Perhaps he stays, but his position is easily replaceable.
Irwin stood out in the preseason, but failed to parlay it into much regular season success. This could be the end of the road for him with the Bengals.
Ray, meanwhile, had a few solid moments. I could see him being retained to compete for a spot in camp, but that isn’t a lock to happen. As a bottom of the roster depth guy, the team may decide to go in another direction.
