Free agency is right around the corner. The legal tampering period begins on March 13, with free agency officially beginning a couple of days later, on the 15th. Until then, the Bengals still retain the negotiating rights to their in-house pending free agents. At this point, only LS Cal Adomitis has received a new contract. He was an ERFA, so it couldn’t have been difficult to get a deal done. There are several other players from last year’s team that the Bengals will have to decide whether or not they make an attempt to retain them. Let’s take a look at who is currently scheduled to hit the market.
UFA’s:
- S, Jessie Bates
Bates is scheduled to hit free agency after playing last season on the franchise tag. The two sides attempted last season to negotiate a contract, but were seemingly quite far apart, leading to the franchise tag being used. Bates is looking for top dollar on the open market, and there will likely be multiple teams interested. He has already been linked to the Falcons, after spending time with some of their players. The Bengals don’t seem to value the safety position enough to fork over the amount of money (guaranteed money in particular) that Bates is looking for. Should the market unexpectedly dry up on him, perhaps the two sides might circle back and come to a cheaper agreement. But that would be a surprise. Right now, signs are pointing towards Bates leaving in free agency.
Verdict: Let him walk.
- LB, Germaine Pratt
Pratt played the last year of his rookie contract in 2022, and had himself a career season. Overall, he was a pretty reliable tackler and played the run well. But where he really excelled was in pass coverage. He has the athleticism to match up against WR’s and not look out of place, but also the size to match the physicality of TE’s. These kinds of players do not grow on trees, and re-signing him would likely cost the Bengals a pretty penny. And Pratt is not looking to give out a hometown discount either. He wants to be paid, and recently pointed out his lack of usage on 3rd downs, mentioning that his year would have been even better had he been a three down LB. LB’s get paid significantly more when they can do it all. Pratt’s implication in the tweet was that he should not be lowballed just because the Bengals chose not to use him like one. The franchise tag for a LB will cost around $20M, which is obviously too much, so that is not an option. It will depend on the market, but as long as the price is not too outrageous, he is someone I’d like them to keep. But I don’t think he is someone they can afford to give top dollar.
Verdict: Re-sign if within a reasonable price range.
- S, Vonn Bell
Bell has been one of the biggest contributors since being signed a few years back. His role as a tone setter on the defence should not be understated. He is very reliable in run defence, and has been pretty solid on coverage as well. Bell will likely get a pay raise from his previous contract, but the market for SS’s aren’t often that big when it comes to price. With Bates likely leaving, the Bengals surely don’t want to lose both of their starting safeties, and Bell shouldn’t break the bank.
Verdict: Re-Sign.
- CB, Eli Apple
Despite not having a great reputation around the league, Apple has been solid in his two seasons as a Bengal. The fact that he was able to stay afloat when Chidobe Awuzie was lost for the year is telling. Apple is a serviceable #2, and would be a great #3 if Cam Taylor-Britt proves to be ready to take the jump. Cost shouldn’t be too high to retain him.
Verdict: Re-Sign.
- TE, Hayden Hurst
Hurst had a good year for the Bengals, proving to be a reliable option in the passing game. Based on his play, he probably deserves a raise. However, I don’t believe the Bengals are in position to give him one. He was clearly behind guys like Chase, Higgins, and Boyd in the preaching order, and this year’s draft class is loaded with talent at TE. If he is willing to return on a similar deal as last year, around $3-$4M, I’d bring him back. Otherwise, letting him go might be the smarter decision.
Verdict: Re-Sign at right price.
- RB, Samaje Perine
Perine, over the past couple of seasons, has operated at the change of pace back to Joe Mixon. He performed well, especially in pass protection and as a pass catcher out of the backfield. However, with his projected contract coming in at around $2M-$3M, the Bengals could find a suitable replacement elsewhere, and at a cheaper price. Should the Bengals cut or trade Joe Mixon, which would save a lot of money, it would make bringing Perine a lot more feasible. However, until I see otherwise, I would expect Mixon to be back next year. Perhaps Mixon would take a cut, which might chance my stance on Perine. Still, the Bengals will have Chris Evans back to compete in the offseason, and can add a rookie RB at some point in the draft.
Verdict: Let him walk.
- CB, Tre Flowers
Flowers has size that you don’t see from many CB’s. Though he isn’t particularly someone I’d want to have lining up on the boundary against receivers very often, I don’t mind the job he does when guarding TE’s. He wouldn’t be expensive, so there should be no harm in bringing him back.
Verdict: Re-Sign.
- TE, Drew Sample
Though he never lived up to the 2nd round draft slot, Sample has been a good blocker for the Bengals. Sample never showed much as a receiver over the course of his rookie contract. As well, he has had a few injuries, including one that cost him most of the 2022 season. For me, I don’t view Sample as more than a #3, and I am fine retaining Mitchell Wilcox (an ERFA) for that role. However, Sample shouldn’t cost much, so it wouldn’t bother me if they did end up keeping him around.
Verdict: Indifferent.
- CB, Jalen Davis
Davis hasn’t played much, but he has shown to be a pretty reliable depth piece when on the field. Zac Taylor, at one point, even mentioned him as being one of the 32 best slot CB’s in the league. I don’t know if I agree with that, but I do like him as the backup to Hilton. The price would not be high to retain him, either.
Verdict: Re-Sign.
- LS, Clark Harris
Harris essentially missed all of last season after picking up an injury in week 1. Before that, he was rock solid in over a decade spent with the team. Cal Adomitis filled in and was fine, but not quite as good as what we’ve seen from Harris over the years. Harris is up there in age, by now, but if recovered from his injury, should still be able to do the job. At the very least, bringing him back as competition for Adomitis would be good, as it would give the Bengals some security, should the young guy perform below expectations.
Verdict: Re-Sign.
- WR, Trent Taylor
Taylor played sparingly on offence, but was the team’s primary punt returner. Though he is generally solid and reliable, Taylor is underwhelming when it comes to his ceiling. Adding a young, higher upside, depth option and a return man with more speed would be ideal.
Verdict: Let him walk.
- G, Max Scharping
Scharping was claimed off waivers from the Texans back in September. He filled in at RG when Alex Cappa went down, but for the most part, performed below expectations. He had some bright moments at LG earlier in his career with the Texans, but those days might be behind him. The Bengals could likely find better depth on the market.
Verdict: Let him walk.
- QB, Brandon Allen
Allen has been second on the depth chart for two and a half seasons now. We have seen that he is capable against the bottom feeder teams, when he carved up the Houston Texans defence a couple of years ago. He is not the worst backup to have, and his presence in the room does seem to bring some value. However, in tougher situations, he tends to underwhelm. In order to keep the floor for the position at a relatively decent level, I think Allen is brought back. However, adding some actual competition, through a somewhat bigger named veteran and/or a younger guy with developmental traits, would be smart.
Verdict: Re-Sign.
- S, Michael Thomas
Thomas was a captain and core special teamer last year for the Bengals. Though he doesn’t play on defence, he has been an important part of the special teams unit since being picked up. He wouldn’t cost more than the veteran minimum, so I don’t see any reason not to bring him back. His spot wouldn’t be guaranteed, but as long as nobody else forces their way onto the roster, I would expect him to make the team.
Verdict: Re-Sign.
- RB, Trayveon Williams
Williams has played sparingly since being drafted in the 6th round by the Bengals in 2019. But this year, he did take over at the mid-way point as the primary kick returner, and he got a few snaps at RB. There were no glaring issues, but I didn’t see anything too special either. Personally, I prefer Chris Evans, and with this year’s draft being deep at RB, I don’t see the need to bring back Williams, even on a cheap deal.
Verdict: Let him walk.
RFA:
- LB, Joe Bachie
Bachie mainly served as a depth player and special teamer for the Bengals last year. In limited action over the past couple of years, he has looked pretty solid. Bachie won’t blow you away, but is reliable enough as a depth player. Being a RFA, the Bengals will be able to tender him, and then match any offer from another team, should he accept the conditions. The contract would likely come cheap enough, so he’s someone I’d bring back to compete for a spot once again.
Verdict: Re-Sign.
ERFA’s:
- TE, Mitchell Wilcox
Wilcox slid up to 2nd on the depth chart last season after Drew Sample was lost to injury. He even sat atop it for a little while when Hurst missed a bit of time. While I wouldn’t care for him as the permanent #2, I like him in the 3 slot. Wilcox brings enough ability as a blocker and a receiver for a depth role, and his work on special teams has made him a favourite of Darrin Simmons. This is not to say a replacement wouldn’t be easy to find on the market, either. After all, we’re talking about the 3rd string TE. But if all things are equal, might as well go with the continuity that the in-house guy brings.
Verdict: Re-Sign.
- LB, Clay Johnston
Johnston is kind of similar to Bachie. Hasn’t played a ton on defence, but solid in limited action. He was especially noticeable at times during the 2021 playoff run. Mostly, he has played on special teams, and has been good in that role. A good, reliable depth option, and someone who is easy to retain as an ERFA, there doesn’t seem to be much reason not to bring him back.
Verdict: Re-Sign.
