As we look towards the offseason, a lot of talk with focus on who the Bengals should target when free agency rolls around. However, before that, the team has several in-house free agents to make decisions on. Guys like Tee Higgins, DJ Reader, Chidobe Awuzie, and Jonah Williams, who have been important starters, are set to hit the open market. As well, key depth players, like Akeem Davis-Gaither and Drew Sample, are among those whose contract will be expiring.
With Ja’Marr Chase also set to be extended at some point, decisions will have to be made, and not everyone will be able to stay. So far, only OT Devin Cochran has been re-signed, and as back-end depth, it wasn’t one that would have been difficult. Of the rest, who should stay, and under what conditions?
UFA’s:
WR, Tee Higgins
Higgins is the Bengals highest profile free agent this year. His situation is complicated, given Chase’s upcoming extension. The question for the Bengals is how much money can really be allocated to the WR position before you seriously start to suffer at other ones? It is fair to consider, but must also be considered alongside the consequence that would be losing a high end player like Higgins.
On the open market, Higgins is expected to get around $25M, with some saying he could end up north of $30M. With the value of the WR position exploding in value in recent years, who would really be surprised?
At the end of the day, the Bengals do still have some control. They can use the franchise tag on him, which would pay around $22M on a 1 year deal. This would give them an extra year of his services, and more time to make a decision on the future. As well, it would also give them the option to trade him for a heft package. Though the Bengals aren’t typically big on trades, you never know when a desperate team might make an offer they can’t refuse.
Verdict: Franchise Tag
Given the Bengals financial situation, and the agent of Higgins being known to push for as much money as possible, I think the franchise tag is the safest bet here. Probably the smartest thing to do, as well. You can keep the player for another year as you go for a Super Bowl (or trade him if the right offer comes along), and defer the decision to next offseason.
DT, DJ Reader
Reader has been the backbone of the Bengals run defence since the team signed him in 2020. And when he missed time due to injury, the difference was huge. Like with Higgins, the Bengals financial situation makes this one a bit complicated. Further complicating things is the season ending quad injury that he suffered against the Vikings.
The difference between Higgins and Reader is that Reader plays a position that the Bengals have absolutely zero depth at. There is no Ja’Marr Chase to fall back on. Now, prior to the injury his price would have figured to be around $15M, give or take. He is going to be turning 30 years old this summer, but elite NT’s generally are able to maintain a relatively high level of play into their early-mid 30’s. Still, is the team willing to allocate that much money to the position again? It’s hard to say, but there would be a big hole without him.
Verdict: Re-sign
Though he’ll be expensive, Reader is someone the Bengals simply cannot afford to lose. Replacing him in the draft will be tough, as you just can’t expect a rookie NT to come in and perform at that level, even if selected in the 1st round. Perhaps the injury history drives his price down, or he willingly accepts a “hometown discount.” Either scenario for the Bengals would help immensely, but if not, they might be forced to buck up.
OT, Jonah Williams
Williams had been the team’s starting LT from 2020-2022, before being moved over to RT in 2023. While 2022 was a bit of an up and down year, he has generally been consistent, regardless of his position. The high floor and reliability is something to like, but his low ceiling has caused some to jump off the bandwagon.
OL talent, especially OT, has become so hard to find over the past decade or so, making it a risk to let him walk. If he does walk, the Bengals could look to replace him in the draft. Doing so could land you a prospect with a higher ceiling and, if said player develops, would help immensely against tough AFC North opponents, like Myles Garrett and TJ Watt. But on the other hand, keeping Williams would allow you to go with more of a BPA (best player available) approach in the draft, and potentially attack a different position.
Verdict: Re-sign, but only at the right price
For me, it ultimately comes down to the price. I’d be willing to go up to around $11M or $12M to retain Williams, but I’m not sure if he’ll be willing to take that. As well, we don’t even know if he is interested in sticking at RT long term. Back to the price, if we get into the $14M-$15M range, I’m out. At that point, the Bengals could look to free agency for a replacement. If they strike out there, it would have to come through the draft.
WR, Tyler Boyd
Boyd took a couple of years to really get going, but after that famous play against the Ravens at the end of the 2017 season, things really took off for him. He became a leader on some teams that endured a lot of tough times, while also becoming one of the best slot receivers in the game. While his role diminished a little once Chase and Higgins arrived, he was still an important part of the offence, and now sits 7th for most receiving yards in franchise history.
Unfortunately, the business side of things can be tough. Though Boyd is a great player, the Bengals are unlikely to bring him back, given the situation with Chase and Higgins.
Verdict: Let him walk
Even if Higgins ends up leaving in one way or another, resources will certainly go towards finding a replacement before they go towards keeping Boyd. Further, the Bengals are in need of more speed in their offence, while Boyd excels in other areas.
CB, Chidobe Awuzie
Awuzie immediately became the Bengals CB1 after signing in 2021. He performed at an elite level, helping the Bengals reach the Super Bowl that same season. This level of play continued into 2022, before he unfortunately tore his ACL on Halloween against the Browns.
After the team invested their 2nd round pick in both 2022 and 2023 on a CB, their future at the position looked to be heading in a younger direction. And Cam Taylor-Britt is looking like a CB1, while Turner, as a rookie, showed plenty of upside. I wouldn’t have thought that Awuzie had a chance to stay. However, as the 2023 season went on, I began to wonder.
Verdict: Re-sign, but only at the right price
Awuzie, in his pre-injury form, would certainly have himself priced out of the Bengals range. But after a down year in 2023, likely to do with the injury, could his price have fallen down a little bit? Without him, the Bengals would still need to find a reliable CB4 to add onto the depth chart. If his price is in the $6M-$8M range, perhaps keeping him on a 1 year prove it deal would work out for both sides. The Bengals would have the ability to continue easing DJ Turner along, rather than throwing him into the deep end, while Awuzie would be playing for a bigger contract next year.
TE, Tanner Hudson
Since going undrafted in 2018, Hudson bounced around between the back end of various roster and practice squads. Towards the end of 2022, he signed with the Bengals practice squad. In the 2023’s training camp and preseason, he came out of nowhere and really impressed, leading many to then perceive him as a roster lock. However, he was surprisingly waived and signed to the practice squad, where he remained for the early part of the season. But when he finally got his chance later on, he did nothing but impress.
Verdict: Re-sign
Hudson slowly gained more and more playing time, becoming a solid downfield threat at the position, while also showing to be a solid blocker in limited reps. At age 29, he isn’t the long term answer, and the Bengals could look to the draft to further address the position. But as someone who has proven to be reliable, Hudson would be a great TE2, and a good enough stopgap, should the Bengals strike out in the draft. Should be on the cheaper side, as well.
TE, Drew Sample
Sticking with the TE position, Sample hasn’t always been a popular name, given his low offensive production for a 2nd round pick. But if you are able to move past his draft position, you’ll see that Sample has actually increasingly become an important part of the offence. Though he doesn’t offer much as a pass catcher, Sample has become one of the better blocking TE’s in the league. He is used often as an in-line blocker and, this year, he was also used in the backfield to help with pass protection.
Verdict: Re-sign
A scenario with Hudson and Sample as co-TE2’s is an appealing one. Both can see the field situationally, with Hudson getting more looks as a pass catcher, while Sample continues in his role as a blocking TE. Like with Hudson, Sample shouldn’t cost much, and should be easy to re-sign.
LB, Akeem Davis-Gaither
Davis-Gaither has primarily been a backup and special teamer in his 4 seasons with the Bengals. More recently, he has moved his way up to 3rd on the depth chart, and he is someone that I like as the primary backup.
Verdict: Re-sign
Davis-Gaither is athletic and has ability in coverage. His tackling and play against the run has also improved quite a bit in recent years. I don’t think there is much debate as to whether he is someone the Bengals would like to have back. However, I do wonder if his preference is to leave in hope of finding more playing time. Barring an injury, he won’t start ahead of Pratt or Wilson in Cincinnati. The LB market has been funny lately, so it is tough to predict what will happen. But if nobody gives him a real shot to compete for a starting spot, it would be good to have him back.
LB, Markus Bailey
Bailey has primarily been a special teamer in Cincinnati, while playing sparingly on defence. As a depth player, he brings enough reliability, and his play on special teams seems to have him on Darrin Simmons’ good side.
Verdict: Re-sign
This seems like a case of, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It certainly wouldn’t be a big deal if Bailey does walk. Depth LB’s can be replaced. But I don’t anticipate him costing much more than the minimum (nor would I pay much more), if at all, and he has been good in his role. No need to change it, unless there is a surprise market for his services.
LB, Joe Bachie
Bachie falls into the same boat as Bailey. Primarily a special teamer that does well in his role. He is not as athletic, but has shown he can hold his own in limited snaps, especially against the run.
Verdict: Re-sign
Bachie, if brought back, would likely be competing for the 5th or 6th spot on the roster, depending on the draft, free agency (+UDFA’s). He would not be a lock, and the development of someone like Shaka Heyward could push him off the roster. But like with Bailey, the reliability is an asset here, and if he doesn’t make the roster, you could probably get away with stashing him on the practice squad. Don’t see any downside to keeping him around for now.
TE, Irv Smith
Smith was signed later on in free agency to replace Hayden Hurst as the starter. However, he was never really able to get his feet off the ground. Drops, an inability to separate, and injuries plagued the first half of his season.
Verdict: Let him walk
Smith did improve a little bit as the season went on, especially one he was in a much heavier rotation. But with Hudson and Sample both jumping him on the depth chart last year, and a younger option likely to be brought in through the draft, it makes no sense to re-sign him.
WR, Trenton Irwin
Irwin has slowly worked his way up the depth chart, since starting his time in Cincinnati as a practice squadder in 2019. The last couple of seasons, he has been the team’s WR4.
Verdict: Re-sign, but only for the minimum
Irwin has put up some good performances on occasion, when filling in. However, he has also been quiet during some of his more important opportunities, such as the 2022 AFC Championship. I don’t mind the player. That said, he is not a candidate to occupy a top 3 spot on the depth chart. As well, Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones are roster locks for next season. That is already 5. Further, the Bengals would be wise to bring in a couple of players with more speed, an element that Irwin doesn’t bring. Ultimately, I’m fine bringing him back to compete. But at anything more that the minimum, I don’t think he is a fit.
DT, Josh Tupou
Tupou has been the team’s backup NT for a while now. In fact, he was one of the last remaining holdovers from the Marvin Lewis era on last year’s team. His massive frame has been an asset at times in run defence, and there have been instances where his athleticism has looked better than you’d expect.
Verdict: Re-sign
I’m fine bringing Tupou back, but I do feel like his play took a step back in 2023. My reasoning for bringing him back is to have some insurance at the position. The contract would have to be at or near the minimum with no guarantees, and in all honesty, I can’t see him getting more than that anyways. At this stage, he should definitely be competing for his spot, and the Bengals need to be looking for more depth at the position. If the depth can be upgraded, they likely move on during final cuts. But at this stage, it doesn’t hurt to have him around as a safety net to fall back on.
G, Max Scharping
Scharping has been a depth G for the team since the beginning of the 2022 season, when he was claimed off waivers. An injury to Alex Cappa forced him to start in the playoffs, but he did not play particularly well.
Verdict: Let him walk
Scharping did get some work at C last preseason, and was half decent. However, he hasn’t performed well in meaningful action in quite some time. The Bengals should be looking to upgrade their depth, both in free agency and through the draft.
OT, Cody Ford
Ford was highly touted during his draft year, before eventually going in the 2nd round. However, he did not reach his potential, and bounced around a bit before the Bengals then signed him as a reclamation project. However, his play in limited snaps was not anything special.
Verdict: Let him walk
Ford got work at G and OT in camp, and ended up being the swing tackle, playing ahead of Jackson Carman and D’Ante Smith. But when he did see the field, Ford didn’t show much improvement from previous seasons. As I mentioned above, the Bengals will need to look to both free agency and the draft to improve their OL depth.
TE, Mitchell Wilcox
Wilcox has been a depth player and special teamer since joining the Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2020. For a fringe TE3/4, I don’t mind what he brings to the table offensively. More importantly, he has been good on special teams.
Verdict: Re-sign
Wilcox has been good in his role the last few years, so I don’t see a lot of reason not to bring him back for another camp. He won’t cost much. Ideally, the Bengals draft a rookie TE, while also keeping Hudson and Sample. That would mean Wilcox, as the 4th guy, would not be a roster lock. The Bengals kept 4 this past season, but the numbers game varies from year to year. Still, we are just talking about retaining him to compete in camp. At the low price that he would cost, there is no downside, unless they find a better option to use the roster spot on.
RB, Trayveon Williams
Williams has, at times, served as the 3rd down back and primary kick returner. However, he has failed to truly secure a role in the offence, with Chase Brown leapfrogging him towards the end of the year.
Verdict: Let him walk
For a while, Zac Taylor puzzlingly continued to give Williams opportunities. I say puzzlingly because he has never stood out on the field, both in the preseason and regular season. This all while Chris Evans couldn’t get on the field, despite showing several flashes in limited snaps, and Chase Brown taking until the very end of the season to be used, despite possessing superior traits. With that in mind, Williams isn’t on my list of guys to re-sign.
QB, AJ McCarron
McCarron returned for a second stint with the Bengals when he was signed to the practice squad in week 3. He was then promoted to the active roster to serve as the backup after Joe Burrow was lost for the season with a wrist injury. While we didn’t get to see much of him on the field this year, McCarron impressed in the XFL just a year ago, showing to still be a capable player.
Verdict: Re-sign
As long as Browning is in the mix, McCarron won’t be higher than number 3 on the depth chart. However, should the Bengals get an unbelievable trade offer for Browning, having a veteran like McCarron isn’t a bad thing. Further, on a cheap contract, he wouldn’t prevent them from drafting a QB, should a good one be available somewhere on day 3 of the draft. I don’t see any downside to keeping McCarron around. If nothing else, he’d be a high-end 3rd string QB.
ERFA’s:
QB, Jake Browning
A team whose player is an ERFA (exclusive rights free agent) only needs to make a qualifying offer to said player in order to retain their exclusive negotiating rights. The qualifying offer is a minimum deal, and the player has little leverage when it comes to negotiations. Simply, if the team wants a player back who is an ERFA, they will get that player back.
With Browning, there is no question about it. After playing quite well with Burrow out, Browning will receive a qualifying offer and remain a Cincinnati Bengal. It is possible that the Bengals reward him with more than the minimum, but with money being tight, I don’t personally think it is likely. If not, he’ll play for the minimum next year.
Verdict: Re-sign
The real question is if the Bengals will trade him to a QB needy team. Most will remember how long it took for them to agree to trade McCarron during his first stint, in a deal that eventually fell through due to the Browns failure to get the papers submitted before the trade deadline. The compensation was said to be around a 2nd and 3rd, and even then they were reluctant. So it should be safe to say that Browning won’t be going anywhere for just a mid round pick. But if something significant is offered, it will be interesting to see which route they take.
LS, Cal Adomitis
Adomitis took over for Clark Harris as the starting long snapper, after the veteran picked up an injury in week 1 of 2022 and was lost for the season. Since then, he hasn’t looked back. There haven’t really been any issues with Adomitis, so I don’t see the Bengals not bringing him back. This one will be a simple transaction.
Verdict: Re-sign
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