Some guys who believe they are at the top of the draft don't test so they don't mess with that.
If Lathem thinks he's the #2 Tackle, it makes sense not to test and mess that up.
If the Bengals agreed in good faith and are reneging now that is going to hurt them with other guys they want to sign long term.
I really hope this isn't true and we are not slipping back into our old way of doing business.
The fact that even if the Bengals wanted to, they couldn't give him a new contract right now is embarrassing for his agent. I'm guessing they approached the Bengals, the Bengals scoffed at it since they just extended him and he will be 30+ when the contract is over and as such isnt as likely to get the money he wants.
Hopefully both sides can meet somewhere in the middle in 3 months. But if he is asking for a trade right now knowing the Bengals cant do a contract right now, it seems like that isn't likely.
So what we are likely looking at is he is going to play for us the next 2 years and move on.
So next year we should start looking at adding another DE, to pair with Murphy for the long term
Don't even make the threat if you arent serious.
Sounds like he met with Zach yesterday, hopefully Zach can talk some sense into him.
This may be blasphemous but hear me out.
The Brown family only have the Bengals as a source of income. In order to raise money for things like this (or to put money in escrow for contracts) they have to use the stadium for other events, or they have to raise money with local businesses buying into the Bengals and that only happens when the Bengals are successful which requires money for investing in the stadium and the team.
Events require good weather because we are an outdoor team.
What if the Bengals put forth a proposal to add a roof to the stadium so that we can do more events when the weather isnt good?
I would love this. Fiske is a bit older, so you'd likely only get his rookie deal out of him, but between him and Sweat and you add an OT and Center. Plus a WR. If it falls out this way Ill be happy.
My concern is the Bengals are doing what they did when Carson signed long term. Getting cheap again because they think they can win with just the top end QB.
That may get you into the playoffs, but as we saw last year with Mahomes. He did not win by himself, their defense carried him.
It can't be a one man show.
It's why I think Carson finally got fed up, and Chad the year before him.
I'm not on this "fuck these players" train. This is solely on management.
Lathem is the "he's fine" pick for me. Mims is the "I'm excited if he reaches his potential, but nervous as hell about the inexperience and injury thing." Fuga is the "excited for the run game to get in gear, but hope his pass blocking improves" pick.