Today is the start of the legal tampering period in free agency. While deals cannot become official until Wednesday, several big contracts, agreed to in principle, will continue to flow in. The Bengals entered the day with major needs along the OL, and they wasted little time addressing one of those positions.
The Bengals have agreed to terms with Alex Cappa on a 4 year/$40M contract.
Cappa was originally a 3rd round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018. As a prospect, he was raw, and faced lesser competition at a smaller school. However, his physical talent was evident and teams saw starter potential.
He developed nicely in Tampa, eventually becoming the starter at RG. He was part of a great unit that was tasked with protecting Tom Brady, and helped lead his team to a Super Bowl Championship at the conclusion of the 2020 season.
Cappa should slide right in at RG for the Bengals. It will be a welcomed addition after the spot has largely been a rotation in recent years between guys like Hakeem Adeniji, Xavier Su’a-Filo, and Jackson Carman.
With RG now being addressed, it gives the Bengals a few more options at the other G spot. Quinton Spain remains a possibility to be brought back. Additionally, it should allow Jackson Carman to focus on the left side, where he looked much more comfortable in his rookie year.
In other news, the Bengals have extended a right of first refusal tender to OT Fred Johnson. Johnson is a RFA.
Outside teams will now be able to negotiate a contract with Johnson, but the Bengals would have five days to match or let him walk, should a deal come to fruition.
If he plays under the tender, Johnson will make $2.43M.
