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Exclusive: New details emerge about Tee Higgins, Bengals contract negotiations
Kelsey ConwayCincinnati EnquirerThe Cincinnati Bengals placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins for the upcoming season after not being able to agree on a long-term contract extension over the last two years. New details about the Bengals and Higgins’ negotiation process have emerged.
Higgins never requested to become the highest paid wide receiver in the NFL, sources tell The Enquirer. In fact, the range Higgins was initially looking for is similar to what the Indianapolis Colts just gave wide receiver Michael Pittman this year after placing the franchise tag on him. The Colts and Pittman agreed to a three-year deal worth $70 million with an annual average salary of $23 million.
Terry McClaurin, Deebo Samuel comparisons at WR
Pittman’s contract falls in line with the deals the Washington Commanders gave wide receiver Terry McClaurin and what the San Francisco 49ers gave wide receiver Deebo Samuel, two other examples of the type of contract Higgins was originally seeking from the Bengals.
McClaurin signed a three-year contract extension with the Commanders worth $68.2 million with an average annual salary of $22 million. Samuel signed a three-year deal worth $71 million with an average annual salary of $23 million.How much did the Cincinnati Bengals offer Tee Higgins?
The Bengals never approached the $20 million range for Higgins, sources told The Enquirer. Due to the original offer Cincinnati’s front office gave Higgins for his annual salary, the two sides never advanced to the next round of conversations which would have been about guaranteed money, sources also confirmed to The Enquirer. Any speculation that Higgins and his representation are asking for a specific amount of guaranteed money from the Bengals is not accurate.
When The Enquirer reached out to the Bengals for a comment on the subject, they reiterated the following quote from head coach Zac Taylor.
"We’re excited for Tee to have a great year for us," Taylor said. "We think he’s our best chance to help us win a Super Bowl. I’ve enjoyed working with Tee the last four years, I expect this year to be no different.”
Higgins’ request for a trade this offseason came after the two sides never re-engaged in negotiations. Typically, when an NFL team uses the franchise tag on a player it’s used to give both sides more time to reach a long-term deal. Cincinnati’s front office has made it clear they don’t plan to trade Higgins.
Defensive end Josh Allen of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittman of the Colts are two examples of players who were tagged by their teams who eventually got long-term deals done this spring.
Tee Higgins stats with Cincinnati Bengals
In four seasons with the Bengals, Higgins has caught 257 passes for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns. He is coming off an injury-riddled season that led to him missing five games last year. Higgins amassed 1,000 receiving yards twice so far in his professional campaign.
Higgins and the Bengals have until July 15 to reach a long-term deal and if not, Higgins will play this season and make $21.8 million. When a team applies the franchise tag on a player, the number is set based on the average of the top five salaries at the position over the past five years.
The highest paid wide receiver in the NFL right now is AJ Brown who just agreed to a three-year extension with the Eagles worth $96 million. Brown’s annual salary is now $32 million. Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins is the second-highest paid wide receiver in the NFL making $30 million a year.
Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase are next in line for extensions at the receiver position. Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings have yet to come to an agreement on a new deal and it’s one Cincinnati’s front office will closely monitor.
The Bengals picked up Chase’s fifth-year option last week giving the team more time to work on a long-term deal with their Pro Bowl wideout. Chase said he wants to see what Jefferson is offered before engaging in contract discussions.
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Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati EnquirerSat, Apr 27, 2024, 9:21 PM CDT·3 min read
The Cincinnati Bengals 2024 draft class is set.
The Bengals opened the draft on Thursday with the selection of Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims 18th overall, then finished the event Saturday with six picks.
How well did the Bengals do? Here's what the national pundits think about the Bengals latest draft haul.
Cincinnati Bengals 2024 draft grades
Grade breakdown: There's a general consensus surrounding the Bengals' draft as an overall boom-or-bust class. Whether it be from injuries or off-the-field concerns, Cincinnati picked multiple prospects that could be long-term producers for a franchise with Super Bowl aspirations or could not fail to pan out.
Amarius Mims joins the Bengals, speaking at a press conference at Paycor Stadium on Friday April 26, 2024.It started right away with the first-round selection of Mims at No. 18. Mims fits into a Bengals' group of tackles that rivals some college basketball frontcourts with its height. Mims was borderline elite at Georgia in pass protection (six quarterback pressures in 402 pass-blocking snaps), but the best ability is availability and he only has eight college starts under his belt after needing season-ending ankle surgery in 2023.
Some experts liked that Mims won't have to start right away and has a year to develop behind veteran Trent Brown, who inked a one-year deal in March. Others question if Cincinnati should've drafted someone who could help right away on a team in win-now mode.
The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton in the third round of the draft.The Bengals added three pass-catchers in the draft. All were picked with some precaution of national pundits. There's an overall belief that third-round pick Jermaine Burton could be a franchise-changing wide receiver as an over-the-top threat if he can shed the maturity question marks that caused him to fall to the 80th overall pick.
"The best value pick of the draft," Pro Football Network's Cam Mellor said of the pick. "(Burton) enters the league with some character issues but immense production upside with his explosive vertical skill set."
At the tight end spot, Iowa's Erick All, a Fairfield High School product, is coming off a torn ACL a year after needing spinal surgery. Arizona's Tanner McLachlan needed core muscle surgery after his pro day and slid into the sixth round.
'You ready to come home?': Fairfield's Erick All gets call from Bengals' Zac Taylor
Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (DL13) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsWhich pick did experts like?
The Bengals ultimately didn't trade up in the second round despite a run on defensive tackles and eventually landed with Michigan product Kris Jenkins with the 49th overall pick. Jenkins, a team captain on the national-champion Wolverines in 2023, is the son of Kris Jenkins Sr., a three-time All-Pro defensive tackle.
"He has a P.H.D. in playing defensive tackle from his father," NFL Network Analyst Daniel Jeremiah said Friday after the pick.
Pro Football Focus called Jenkins the "pound-for-pound the strongest player in the draft," who excelled against the run last season. That's a good sign for a defensive line that lost D.J. Reader and is in a division with Derrick Henry, Nick Chubb and Najee Harris.
On the offensive trenches, draft analysts liked the Bengals seventh-round snag of Miami center Matt Lee, who didn't allow a sack on over 400 pass-blocking snaps last season.
Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas A&M defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson (DL11) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsWhich pick did experts dislike?
Multiple pundits agree the Bengals reached with their third-round compensatory selection of Texas A&M defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson.
"Jackson feels like a reach at this point given his inconsistent play," USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz said of the pick Friday night.
NFL.com ranks Jackson as the No. 22 defensive tackle in this year's class. Draft Analyst Lance Zierlein projected Jackson to be a sixth-round pick as a prospect who has solid strength overall but needs to develop his hands to shed blockers more efficiently.
https://sports.yahoo.com/well-did-bengals-draft-heres-022106666.html
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Bengals’ Amarius Mims responds to Nick Saban’s comments during NFL draft
Chris RolingSat, Apr 27, 2024, 8:04 AM CDT·2 min readCincinnati Bengals first-round pick Amarius Mims had his fair share of critics during the 2024 NFL draft before the team made him the 18th overall selection.
Nick Saban was a big one of those.
Appearing on ABC’s draft coverage, Saban had this to say about Mims after the Bengals made the pick, according to 247Sports’ Mike Rodak: “This guy’s got all the tools — he’s got great size, he’s got great power. … But it makes you wonder, how did the guy only start 8 [games?] Like, in the SEC championship game, he played only the first 15 plays of the game and then he’s out. Takes himself out. I don’t know what he injured, what he hurt, whatever. But you’ve got to be a little bit more consistent in your performance if you’re going to be a great player and a starter in the National Football League.”
Saban went on to question whether Mims developed the habits to play against guys who are up to his level of competition after playing at a small high school.
The sharp criticism of Mims isn’t exactly uncommon, mostly because Mims had trouble staying on the field at Georgia. Given the quality of his tape when he was on the field, had he played more snaps, he might not have lasted until 18th overall.
As for Mims, though, he took the high road, saying that he saw the comments but didn’t want to get into it, according to Laurel Pfahler of the Dayton Daily News: “Like I said, I don’t really know too much. I’ve got a lot of respect for coach Saban, even when he said that. He’s one of the greatest college head coaches. Like I said, it is what it is, but I’m just glad I’m a Cincinnati Bengal.”
That’s about as mature of a response as anyone could ask for from a college player on the biggest night of his career to date and, indeed, shows a level of focus that probably appealed to the Bengals in the first place.
https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-amarius-mims-responds-nick-130403227.html
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Bengals comfortable with Jermaine Burton draft selection
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Ben Baby, ESPN Staff WriterApr 27, 2024, 12:34 AM ET
CINCINNATI -- Bengals coach Zac Taylor said the team was comfortable with drafting former Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton despite off-field concerns.
In 2022, Burton was seen on video striking a female fan in the head during a field storming after Alabama's loss at Tennessee. Though Burton was never reprimanded, he came under scrutiny for the incident.
Following his selection, Taylor said the team got to know Burton through the pre-draft process and felt "really good about the pick."
"We did our research on all these guys that we've talked to and made sure we're aware of every incident they've been a part of," Taylor said. "There's certainly maturity things that come with some of these guys coming out of these colleges. That's one of the things he'll continue to grow with."
In his post-draft teleconference with local media, Burton acknowledged the incident, said it was something he had to move past and became a situation he learned from. He noted that in a similar incident shortly after the loss to Tennessee, he was one of the first players in the locker room.
"I quickly separated myself and just understand what's more at stake and just don't want to take the opportunity for granted," he said.
Burton began at Georgia before he finished the final two years of his four-year college career at Alabama. In his senior season with the Crimson Tide, he led the team in receiving yards (798) and receiving touchdowns (8). He also showed his capability as a big-play threat by averaging 20.5 yards per reception in his final season.
Cincinnati believes Burton can play a similar role in a group that features Pro Bowler Ja'Marr Chase and standout veteran Tee Higgins, who was given the franchise tag earlier this offseason.
"He's a legitimate 'take the top off [the defense]' deep threat," offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said.
Taylor said that with Burton and former Texas A&M defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, who was taken later in the third round with the 97th overall pick, the team used combine and top-30 visits in Cincinnati to further evaluate both players. Taylor said the interactions led to their selections Friday.
Burton said that in his visits with teams he wanted to emphasize that his emotion stemmed from playing the game.
"I express myself a lot through football," he said. "I just want to play and I don't care about anything else. Nothing else matters to me."
https://insider.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40034004/bengals-comfortable-jermaine-burton-draft-selection
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Shelby Dermer
Cincinnati EnquirerIt's no secret the Cincinnati Bengals are trying to find a defensive tackle to replace the loss of D.J. Reader in the NFL Draft. After missing out on Texas product Byron Murphy in the first round Thursday, there was a run at defensive tackles in the second round with five going in the first 16 selections.
The Bengals were still able to land a defensive tackle with the 49th overall pick, selecting Michigan's Kris Jenkins. His father, Kris Jenkins Sr., was a three-time All-Pro defensive tackle over a 10-season career with the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets.
In the third round, the Bengals drafted Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton with the 80th overall pick. There was talk of the Bengals targeting a receiver early in the draft with the question marks surrounding Tee Higgins' future. In four collegiate seasons split between Georgia and Alabama, Burton totaled 132 catches for 2,376 yards and 23 touchdowns.
With its compensatory third-round selection, Cincinnati added to the defensive line again, picking Texas A&M defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson.
Here's how NFL draft experts are grading the Bengals picks.
Kris Jenkins NFL draft expert grades
CBS Sports: A-
SB Nation: B+
Grade breakdown: The Bengals weren't going to replace the production of Reader with one pick, but the selection of Jenkins is a nice start to healing a run defense that ranked 26th against the run last season. Pundits raved about Jenkins' explosiveness and athleticism on the interior defensive line, pointing out that he was No. 6 on The Athletic's Bruce Feldman's list of College Football Athletic Freaks priors to last season.
While he may be one of the best run-defending defensive tackles in the draft, experts believe Jenkins has minimal ability to impact the pass rush.
Jermaine Burton NFL draft expert grades
USA TODAY: A-
Bleacher Report: A
CBS Sports: A
SB Nation: B-
Grade breakdown: The majority of pundits rave about Burton's ability to stretch the field as one of the best vertical threats in this year's receiver class. Burton ranked sixth in all of college football last season in yards per catch (20.46). Questions about his behavior caused Burton to sink in the draft, but it's worth the risk in the third round with the potential for Burton to become part of a formidable receiving tandem with Ja'Marr Chase if Higgins leaves next offseason.
McKinnley Jackson NFL draft expert grades
Bleacher Report: B
CBS Sports: B
SB Nation: C+
Grade breakdown: Pundits praised Jackson as a nice depth piece pickup on the Bengals defensive line. Jackson had 5.5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks last season for the Aggies and the experts believe he showed more on tape than during a poor Pro Day workout. Jackson uses his leverage to plug up gaps in the trenches with limited upside as a pass-rusher. The Bengals needed defensive line help and they got it in Day 2.
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Who should Bengals take on Day 3 of NFL draft 2024? Here are players to watch
Charlie Goldsmith
Cincinnati EnquirerAfter the Cincinnati Bengals doubled down on bolstering their defensive line on the second day of the NFL Draft, there’s still room for contributors at several different positions entering the final day of the NFL draft.
On Friday, the Bengals added defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, wide receiver Jermaine Burton and defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson. While adding a defensive tackle and a wide receiver was expected, they picked Jackson over a potential contributor at tight end, offensive guard or cornerback.
Cincinnati Bengals NFL draft needs
On offense, the Bengals are still looking for a third down running back, a developmental player at tight end and multiple backup interior offensive linemen. On defense, the Bengals need at least two more cornerbacks, and they also have room on the depth chart for a linebacker who can make an impact on special teams.
NFL draft best available players Round 4-7
Will Shipley, running back, Clemson
Shipley could make an immediate impact as a third down running back with his ability as a route runner and a pass blocker. He’s also a powerful short yardage runner who would bring a different profile alongside Zach Moss and Chase Brown.
Ja'Tavion Sanders, tight end, Texas
Sanders is a fluid pass catcher with the athleticism to give the Bengals a long-term option as a playmaker at the tight end position.
Tanor Bortolini, center, Wisconsin
Backup center is one of the weakest spots on the Bengals’ depth chart. Bortolini is a standout athlete for his position who offers versatility and impressive football IQ.
Nehemiah Pritchett, cornerback, Auburn
Pritchett ran a 4.36 second 40-yard dash and has long arms for his position, bringing the exact traits that Lou Anarumo looks for.
Decamerion Richardson, cornerback, Mississippi State
He broke up seven passes last year, possesses elite speed and long arms and stands out with a physical style of play. He also had totaled at least 79 tackles in each of the last two seasons.
Daijahn Anthony, slot cornerback, Mississippi
He played safety in college, but he has the tools to back up Mike Hilton in the slot. Playing in the SEC last year, he broke up 11 passes, forced three fumbles and developed a reputation as a hyper aggressive player who can blitz, tackle and make plays over the middle of the field.
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McKinnley Jackson to Bengals in NFL draft: Instant grade, analysis, stats for 97th pick
Jason Williams
Cincinnati EnquirerThe Cincinnati Bengals left no doubt late Friday night that they are fully committed to upgrading their defensive line, taking Texas A&M defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson in the third round with the 97th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. The Bengals used two of their top four picks on defensive tackles, also taking Michigan’s Kris Jenkins in the second round on Friday. Three of the Bengals’ draft picks so far are from the SEC, following a franchise strategy to draft players from high-profile, winning programs. Here's our instant draft grade of the pick and our rapid analysis of the pick.Texas A&M DT McKinnley Jackson to Bengals NFL draft grade: Instant reaction
Grade: B+
Why: Hand it to the Bengals. They weren’t good against the run last season, and they stuck to a plan to address their problems on the interior of the defensive line this offseason.
The Bengals signed Sheldon Rankins in free agency and made Jenkins their second pick in the draft. They then went to work on addressing their depth issues on the defensive line by picking Jackson, who’s 6-foot-2 and 326 pounds. He is strictly a run-stopper, and the Bengals need a guy like him to help clog things up in the middle after they ranked 26th in the NFL against the run in 2023.
Jackson is quick and has a low center of gravity, but he’s by no means a refined player entering his professional career. With 10 picks in the draft, though, the Bengals using the late third-round pick on a talented player who needs time to develop was a solid move. This is where you make developmental picks – not in the first round.
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51 minutes ago, Griever said:
Damn - sign his dad too!
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Frustration emerges over Bengals stadium lease negotiations
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- Mike Florio
Published April 25, 2024 06:33 AMThe Bengals’ lease at Paycor Stadium runs through 2026. And the Bengals are getting impatient with the pace of the talks.According to Scott Wartman of the Cincinnati Enquirer,
communications between the team and Hamilton County reveal growing frustrations between the team and the governmental entity responsible for the stadium.
“The team has grown concerned that there really isn’t political will for any deal,” Bengals Vice President Troy Blackburn wrote on August 8, 2023 to Hamilton County Administrator Jeff Aluotto, following a meeting regarding a lease extension.
The Hamilton County Commissioners have since agreed to make $39 million in repairs and renovations, including new turf and club seating. Blackburn wanted much more than that, with the county committing $300 million to improvements and the Bengals adding $50 million.
The bigger question is the agreement that binds the team to the venue.
“We think it’s a good start, but it’s not nearly enough just to maintain the building,” Aaron Herzig, an attorney for the Bengals, told the Enquirer. “So it’s only a good start. The big question is what does the county want to do next? And we don’t know.”They don’t know because nothing has been happening.
“In terms of moving forward on lease negotiations . . . we’ve seen no progress,” Herzig added. “And we’re wondering, we really have genuine questions about what the county wants.”
From the county’s perspective, a $300 million commitment to upgrade the stadium requires more than a five-year extension of the lease.
Earlier this week, the Hamilton County Commissioners nevertheless expressed urgency to get moving.
“It’s time,” Commissioner Alicia Reece said. “We need to give everybody a deadline so we’re not at the last minute with our back against the wall.”
Reece, as noted earlier this week, wants the NFL to pay at least $100 million for upgrades, with the Bengals, Ohio, and Hamilton County contributing, too.
The clock is ticking. The Bengals have until June 2025 to decide whether to exercise the first of five two-year extensions of the lease. If they decline that option, the Bengals will be on track for geographic free agency after the 2026 season.
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Arkansas Bengal - Taliese Fuaga - 120
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The Cincinnati Bengals enter the 2024 NFL draft looking to reload for the upcoming season in hopes to make another Super Bowl run. Cincinnati's front office filled a few needs through free agency in March but still has needs at the following positions: Defensive tackle, right tackle, wide receiver and a pass catching tight end.
For the first time in his six years as the Bengals' head coach, Zac Taylor has a new offensive coordinator in Dan Pitcher, who was promoted from his previous role as quarterbacks coach. Former offensive coordinator Brian Callahan left to become the head coach for the Tennessee Titans. Majority of the defensive coaching staff returns with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo continuing to run the show.
Here's how the Bengals ace the 2024 NFL draft:
Add starting defensive tackle early in 2024 NFL draft
The Bengals need to come away with a starting defensive tackle in the first two rounds. After losing DJ Reader to the Detroit Lions in free agency, the Bengals have a massive hole to fill at nose tackle. This needs to be the team's No. 1 priority heading into the draft for a few reasons. Cincinnati was one of the NFL's worst teams against the run last season.
They also play in a division with teams built to run the ball first and foremost on offense. Based off where the Bengals are picking, University of Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II could fall to them at No. 18 and could come in and start right away. If the Bengals choose to draft a right tackle in the first round, Round 2 must feature a defensive tackle for Cincinnati.
Add right tackle and wide receivers in 2024 NFL draft
A long-term right tackle and wide receiver are arguably the two biggest needs behind defensive tackle for the Bengals. For the last three seasons, the Bengals have featured a different starter at right tackle.
The franchise wants to find a long-term solution at right tackle and this might be the best year to snag one as this year's tackle class is talented and deep. The problem here is Cincinnati's track record of drafting starting offensive linemen isn't great. They must start hitting on their draft picks on the offensive line so they don't have to continue to spend all of their free agency money on the offensive line.
It wouldn't be a shock if the Bengals draft a wide receiver with their second-round pick, similar to what they did in 2020 when they selected Tee Higgins out of Clemson. All signs point to Higgins and the Bengals going their seperate ways after this season due to failed contract negotiations. The Bengals need to have a plan for life after Higgins to pair with Ja'Marr Chase. Georgia's Ladd McConkey, Michigan's Roman Wilson and Florida's Ricky Pearsall are all names that could be available in the second round for the Bengals.
Cincinnati Bengals 2024 NFL draft will be a success if ...
If the Bengals first three rounds of the draft include a starting defensive tackle, future starting wide receiver and a guard/tackle, Cincinnati's draft will be a success. The most important rounds of the draft are rounds one through three, and the Bengals need starting caliber players at those positions.
Rounds 1 and 2 must feature players who can come in right away and contribute, not development style players. This is an important draft for the Bengals to set themselves up to contend this season and next as quarterback Joe Burrow's contract is going to really start to kick in from a cap standpoint next season.
Burrow will carry a $46 million cap hit in the 2025 season and it will limit what the Bengals can do in free agency putting bigger emphasis on making sure the team hits on their top draft picks.
When is the 2024 NFL draft?
The 2024 NFL draft will be April 25-27 in Detroit. The first round begins at 8 p.m. April 25 and will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Rounds two and three begin April 26 at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN and NFL Network. Rounds four through seven begin Saturday at noon and will be on ESPN and NFL Network.
Where do the Bengals pick in each round?
The Bengals have 10 draft picks in the 2024 NFL draft with fourof the first five picks coming in the top 100.
Round 1, pick 18
Round 2, pick 49
Round 3, pick 80
Round 3, pick 97 (compensatory)
Round 4, pick 115
Round 5, pick 149
Round 6, pick 194
Round 6, pick 214 (compensatory)
Round 7, pick 224 (from Arizona via trade with Houston)
Round 7, pick 237
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Catching Up With Joe Burrow: 'We Know We Have The Right People In Place'
Apr 11, 2024 at 02:11 PM
In his perpetual pursuit to evolve as the Bengals franchise quarterback, Joe Burrow showed up for work Thursday with a growing frame to match.
"Trying to get a little bigger and stronger. That's kind of been a focus this offseason," said Burrow of his weight as he put on his cleats while sitting on the turf of the IEL Indoor Facility. "We'll see where it goes. That will kind of be determined as we get closer to training camp. See how I feel."
It looks to be more than his customary 215 pounds, but one thing that feels right is that his offseason regimen with longtime trainer Dak Notestine hasn't gone off track with the rehab for his throwing wrist.
"I'm doing the rehab every day. That's always a part of it," Burrow said. "As far as my offseason training, it hasn't really affected it too much. I've been able to pretty much do everything I normally do from a lifting and conditioning standpoint. I'm in a great spot body-wise."
He says the wrist is, too, after the injury ended his season in the tenth game. His last pass turned out to be a touchdown flip that helped keep him the NFL's all-time accurate passer heading into 2024.
"Getting better every day. We'll continue to throw and progress," Burrow said.
He's also paying attention to the rest of his body.
"I'm confident I've put all the work in I need to make sure I'm healthy," Burrow said. "I'm continuing year-to-year to better hone that and make that more efficient. Maybe listen to my body a little more throughout the offseason and not push through things that maybe I have in the past. I'm just starting to learn my body more and more."
In an offseason where the Bengals lost offensive coordinator Brian Callahan to the head-coaching ranks, Zac Taylor made sure Burrow wouldn't have to learn an offense when he promoted quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher to replace Callahan and assistant quarterbacks coach Brad Kragthorpe to replace Pitcher.
"The goal is to stay as close to the same as you can. It's why we promoted Pitch, it's why we promoted Brad," Burrow said. "We tried to keep most of the things in-house and then we had a couple of additions that we think will bring a new element to our process. I think that's always a good thing, too. I'm excited to see what that working relationship is going to be like.
"Whoever is here you're going to self-scout and tweak what you did from last year to be a better offense."
There's no question what Burrow has in mind on how to take his offense into the top tier. And make no mistake. He's talking the top.
"We have to be more consistent than we were last year. Part of that was the injury to me," Burrow said. "I think we just need to take that next step as an offense. Be more consistent series-to-series. We've been pretty good game-to-game, but I think if we really want to be one of those top one to three offenses in the league, we have to be more consistent."
Burrow acknowledges the departures of running back Joe Mixon and slot receiver Tyler Boyd are going to give the offense a new feel, but he also says the additions of players such as tight end Mike Gesicki, right tackle Trent Brown, and running back Zack Moss hit the spot.
"I think they'll fill big roles for us," Burrow said. "I think we signed the right kind of guys after meeting them."
If an offense evolves, so does a locker room. Burrow heads into a room without Mixon, Boyd, and DJ Reader for the first time in his career. He seems to sense he'll be a more senior captain.
"Every year I'm growing and evolving as a player and as a leader," Burrow said. "I think every year I take a step in the direction I want to go as far as leading, leading by example, having conversations with guys. It's just another year under my belt where I'm more comfortable and have a better understanding of those things. As you get older, you get wiser, you better understand how to try to put all the personalities of a team to make the locker room a fun place and that translates to the field."
He believes it's a locker room stocked to win.
"We know we have the right people in place to reach our goals," Burrow said. "It's just about putting all those pieces together and finding our roles to optimize what we can do."
That all starts Monday at Paycor Stadium when the Bengals open their offseason workouts. But Thursday night, Burrow does something he rarely does and will make a podcast appearance on the New Heights live show of Jason and Travis Kelce at the University of Cincinnati's Fifth Third Arena.
"There's not a ton of purely football podcasts out there. I never mind talking ball and those guys are Ohio guys and they're good dudes," said Burrow, wearing an Ohio all-star game t-shirt. "I'm always down to talk ball."
https://www.bengals.com/news/joe-burrow-speaks-we-know-we-have-the-right-people-in-place
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The Bengals start their offseason program on Monday and quarterback Joe Burrow will be leading an offense that looks a bit different than the one he commanded before his season-ending wrist injury last year.
Running back Joe Mixon is in Houston, right tackle Jonah Williams signed with the Cardinals, wide receiver Tyler Boyd remains unsigned as a free agent and wide receiver Tee Higgins won’t be joining the team after requesting a trade in response to getting a franchise tag. New faces like tight end Mike Gesicki, running back Zach Moss, and tackle Trent Brown will be part of the mix and Burrow said this week that he believes they are “the right kind of guys” to help the Bengals push their way back into the playoffs.
“We know we have the right people in place to reach our goals,” Burrow said, via the team’s website. “It’s just about putting all those pieces together and finding our roles to optimize what we can do.”
The roster shuffling is significant, but Burrow’s health looms much larger when it comes to the Bengals’ hopes for the coming season. He said he’s in “a great spot” when it comes to his physical condition and that’s great news for Cincinnati.
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By Josh AlperPublished April 9, 2024 07:10 AM
When tight end Mike Gesicki caught 73 passes for the Dolphins in 2021, it looked like the start of big things for the 2018 second-round pick but the next two seasons didn’t see a repeat of the big numbers.
Gesicki caught 32 passes after Mike McDaniel became the Dolphins head coach in 2022 and a move to the Patriots last season resulted in even fewer catches and targets for the tight end. Gesicki moved on to a contract with the Bengals last month and said he “would like to think” he’s still the same player from that would-be breakout season in Miami, but knows he has to show it on the field.
“New team, new staff, new quarterback. Everything is new for me,” Gesicki said, via the team’s website. “So I have to go out there and earn the trust. It’s more proving what I’m capable of doing and earning more and more opportunities once the football starts. It’s only April. A long way to go.”
The new quarterback is a big upgrade from New England and finding a quick way into Joe Burrow’s good graces would be a big plus to Gesicki’s hopes of turning things around in 2024.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/cincinnati-bengals
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After five seasons with the Dolphins and one with the Patriots, tight end Mike Gesicki signed a one-year deal with the Bengals last month.
Gesicki’s production has significantly dipped in the last two seasons after he caught 73 passes for 780 yards with two touchdowns in 2021. But playing with a quarterback like Joe Burrow, Gesicki thinks he’s in a position for that to change.
When it comes to Burrow, Gesicki recently said, via Geoff Hobson of the team’s website, that he’s “never been in the huddle with that kind of talent.”
Since entering the league in 2018, Gesicki has played with the likes of Ryan Tannehill, Brock Osweiler, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Josh Rosen, Jacoby Brissett, Teddy Bridgewater, Skylar Thompson, Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, and Tua Tagovailoa — with Tagovailoa clearly the best of the bunch. But when healthy, Burrow has certainly been better than every signal-caller on that list.
Gesicki and his new QB have already connected before Cincinnati officially starts its offseason program next week.
“I’m not going to bother him too much. But he’s been great. He’s been somebody I’ve been able to reach out to and have conversations,” Gesicki said. “He’s been a leader in the locker room who a lot of guys look to. I’m definitely one of those guys looking to him. I’ve heard great things about him as a teammate. He’s easy to talk to. Good sense of humor.”
Playing all 17 games last season for New England, Gesicki caught just 29 passes for 244 yards with two touchdowns. The Bengals could use more production out of the tight end position, particularly with Tyler Boyd likely departing the team as a free agent.
Gesicki should be able to provide that kind of solid target for Burrow in 2024.
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- 2 minute read
Ernie Adams was the epitome of a football guy. How else can someone last 20+ years as an assistant for Bill Belichick?
Adams was the New England Patriots’ football research director. He would dive into the film for Belichick to pinpoint the smallest area of weaknesses on a weekly basis.
It’s arguable that the Pats would not have won six Super Bowls without Adams, so when he mentions Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in a positive fashion, that’s some high praise.
Adams, who retired from football following the 2020 season, came on former Patriots receiver Julian Edelman’s podcast Games With Names and brought up Burrow as his answer to an NFL Scouting Combine question he remembered asking.
“What’s the thing you’re really proud of in football? And the one I remember was Joe Burrow,” Adams said. “State Championship, came down to a goal line stand, and he was the linebacker.
“Hey, right here. This is my kind of guy. He’s a football player.”
He’s not wrong. Burrow did lead Athens High School to a State Championship appearance in 2014. Athens lost that game, and it remained Burrow’s lone playoff loss up until Super Bowl LVI.
That loss has been brought up by Burrow many a time, so it’s no surprise to hear him mention it even right after he led LSU to a National Championship a month prior to his interview with Adams. The 2020 Combine took place in February of 2020.
Burrow was a part of the last NFL Draft class that Adams helped interview as an NFL personnel member.
Adams has probably heard thousands on thousands of answers to that question over the years, so when a future 1st overall pick at quarterback thinks back to his days as a linebacker as his proudest moment, that would leave an impression.
Adams and New England never had a shot at drafting Burrow. At least Burrow gave them a good interview before proving Adams right in Cincinnati.
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How Stefon Diggs trade could affect Tee Higgins' future with the Bengals
Kelsey Conway
Cincinnati EnquirerThe Buffalo Bills pulled off a blockbuster trade that shocked the NFL world on Wednesday as they sent four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans.
Trouble had been brewing in Buffalo with Diggs for some time now dating all the way back to the Bills’ divisional round loss to the Bengals in 2023. Diggs showed his frustration with Buffalo’s quarterback Josh Allen in a sideline feud that led to a controversial offseason last year. The Bills tried to downplay the drama, but Diggs’ drop off in production last season said otherwise.
Diggs spent four years with the Bills and now will play for his third team in the NFL. For Diggs’ services, the Texans are reportedly giving the Bills a second-round pick in 2025.
What does this mean for Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Nothing. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor explained his excitement to coach Higgins this season in Cincinnati just last week at league meetings in Orlando, Florida. Don’t expect the Bengals to trade one of their best players to one of their AFC rivals. The Bengals placed the franchise tag on Higgins with the intention that he’ll play at least one more season with the club.
Cincinnati’s front office and coaching staff believe Higgins gives them the best chance to make another Super Bowl run in the upcoming season.
“We’re excited for Tee to have a great year for us,” Taylor said at the end of March. “We think he (gives us) our best chance to help us win a Super Bowl. I’ve enjoyed working with Tee the last four years, I expect this year to be no different.”
Where does Higgins stand with the Bengals?
Higgins expressed his displeasure with the Bengals due to failed contract negotiations when he requested a trade ahead of free agency. The Bengals hold all the power, though. To this point, the Bengals haven’t shown any signs they would be willing to move on from Higgins ahead of this year.
The former second-round pick out of Clemson will make close to $22 million if and when he signs the franchise tag and plays in Cincinnati this season. It’s hard to imagine any scenario in which Higgins would turn down more money for one season than he’s made in four years playing in the NFL.
If the Bills received a second-round pick for a 30-year-old wide receiver, the Bengals likely believe Higgins is worth no less than a first-round pick. Higgins is only 25 years old and has recorded two 1,000-yard seasons.
Tee Higgins' value as an NFL free agent
One of the likely reasons the trade market for Higgins has been slow is because of the future contract he’ll demand. Higgins will likely hit the open market next year seeking a new deal worth more than $25 million annually. It’s hard for NFL teams to justify giving up a first-round pick while knowing they also have to pay Higgins a significant amount of money.
Even if the Bengals did agree to trade with Buffalo, the Bills wouldn’t be able to afford Higgins based off their current salary cap situation. In trading Diggs, the Bills will eat $31 million in dead cap. Per ESPN Stats & Info, this will be the highest known dead money charge for a wide receiver in any season all-time.
For the Bengals, it makes the most sense at this point for Higgins to play one more season on the franchise tag and draft a wide receiver early this year knowing both sides will part ways next year. And for the Bills, they’ll likely draft a wide receiver in the first round with an understanding while this is a costly decision for the franchise, they believe it’s what is needed moving forward.
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Chris RolingSun, Mar 31, 2024, 8:01 PM CDT·1 min read
The Cincinnati Bengals took a long-term approach to the 2023 NFL draft and it showed on the field.
It also shows in the latest regrading effort.
Over at The Athletic, Diante Lee issued the Bengals a “D” grade while spotlighting the first three picks of the class:
The Bengals took three swings on defense to open the 2023 draft — Myles Murphy (No. 28), DJ Turner II (No. 60) and Jordan Battle (No. 95) — and Turner looks most likely to grow into a full-time starter. Battle struggled to grasp the communication and play-to-play responsibilities of Cincinnati’s defense; Murphy didn’t make much of an impact, even as his participation increased.
In Cincinnati’s defense, none of the three were supposed to play that often. Murphy was to rotate with Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson, Turner was to do the same, but Chidobe Awuzie never fully got healthy and at safety, Nick Scott was a flop.
Still, that’s what happens when rookies are shoved into action because the depth isn’t right at other spots. If there’s any consolation, all three guys can still turn into long-term starters and Charlie Jones, Chase Brown and Andrei Iosivas showed flashes of being able to contribute in the base offense over the long-term and/or special teams.
https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-2023-draft-class-flops-010130818.html
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March 30, 2024 9:27 am ETThe Cincinnati Bengals got one of the steals of free agency by signing Geno Stone away from the Baltimore Ravens.
So says ESPN, where Matt Miller graded the move as an “A+” while pointing out that a weak safety class could mean one doesn’t get drafted over the opening two rounds:
This is the steal of the free agent class so far. Stone will be tied for the 11th-highest-paid safety in the game. Stone, who was drafted in the seventh round of the 2020 draft, gets rewarded after four years of league minimum pay. The 24-year-old has eight career interceptions … but notched seven in 2023 alone, playing in new defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald’s scheme.
The Bengals desperately needed to find safety help after a disastrous year following the loss of Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates.
So arrives Stone, a rangy playmaker who can be on the field with Dax Hill and Jordan Battle. Or, he can play that deep Bates-styled role and Hill can move to the slot.
Plus, given the contract details we now know, it’s a savvy deal along the same lines as Chidobe Awuzie the front office has pulled off in recent years.
So good value at the right time, hitting a major need and taking from a divisional rival — it certainly feels like one of the better moves of free agency.
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Chris RolingSat, Mar 30, 2024, 8:23 PM CDT·1 min read
Kickoffs and speical teams are a huge topic around the NFL right now after the recent rules changes.
That includes the Cincinnati Bengals, with the subject of who might return kicks next year a question.
As it turns out, after an electric, short stint as a punt returner next year, sophomore Charlie Jones will get a look, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com:
Yes, Jones is going to get a shot at kickoffs. He didn’t return one as a rookie after 45 kick returns in college, headlined by his 2021 season at Iowa when he took one back and averaged 25.4 yards for a year he ran back 25 kicks. Jones has shown adroit lateral moves.
Jones took one punt back for a touchdown last season as a rookie, so it only makes sense that his workload would expand.
That said, the Bengals have already brought back running back Trayveon Williams and could add more competition for the role via the draft soon.
Looking ahead to next year, the addition of Mike Gesicki could eat up a chunk of the base offense’s snaps that used to go to Tyler Boyd, so Jones getting more work on special teams is the likely move.
https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-charlie-jones-shot-primary-012308617.html
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Ian Rapoport@RapSheet·2hSources: #Panthers and free agent pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney have agreed to terms.-
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By Mike FlorioPublished March 26, 2024 01:03 PM
A week ago, we thought it would be easy to spot a violation of the inevitable hip-drop tackle ban. Now? We don’t know what to think.
The confusion started on Monday. After the rule was passed, we posted a story with a photo of Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson hip-drop tackling Ravens tight end Mark Andrews. The Bengals contacted us to point out that, under the rule as written, the Wilson tackle would not have been a violation.
Now, the NFL informs PFT that the Wilson tackle would have been a violation — even though it was not included in the reel of violations displayed at Monday’s press conference regarding the new rule.
So, basically, we don’t know what to think at this point.
The rule contains multiple elements. First, the defensive player grabs the runner with both hands or wraps the runner with both arms. Second, the defensive player unweights himself “by swiveling and dropping his hips and/or lower body.” Third, the defensive player lands on and traps the runner’s leg(s), at or below the knee.
On Monday, Competition Committee chairman Rich McKay told reporters that the NFL wants a flag to be thrown only if the officials see all elements of the foul in real time. That won’t be easy to do, especially with most violations happening in the cluster of legs, arms, and torsos that is the tackle box.
The bulk of the enforcement apparently will come from the NFL imposing discipline after the fact, with the players appealing to one of the two hearing officers, Derrick Brooks and James Thrash.
The practical problem, as it relates to the integrity of the game, is that enforcement via penalties will become hopelessly inconsistent. And it will become another foul that either will or won’t be called in a key moment of a key game, fueling the potential perception that the fix is in.
Why even make it a penalty? Why not just make it something for which players are fined? Instead of accepting the “shit happens” defense to the inability of officials to affirmatively see all elements of the violation as they happen, defer the entire enforcement mechanism to league-office discipline.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/cincinnati-bengals
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Kelsey Conway, Cincinnati Enquirer
Mon, Mar 25, 2024, 2:09 PM CDT·2 min readCincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton (21) and Cincinnati Bengals safety Dax Hill (23) break up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) in the fourth quarter of a Week 15 NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals won 27-24 in overtime.MoreORLANDO, Fla. – Where will Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Dax Hill play in the 2024 season?
It’s one of the most intriguing questions the Bengals face heading into the upcoming season. After an up and down season in 2023, the Bengals are trying to figure out the best place for Hill to play.
The Bengals selected Hill in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft and the hope was he'd become the Bengals’ starting free safety for years to come. But his first season as a starter didn’t go as planned. Hill struggled to be able to communicate and often failed to make plays when needed.
Cincinnati Bengals' secondary heading into 2024 NFL season
Cincinnati’s front office went out and signed two safeties in free agency, signaling Hill’s spot in the lineup was no longer safe. The Bengals signed Geno Stone and Vonn Bell in the first wave of free agency.
So, what does this mean for Hill moving forward? Taylor addressed the future of Cincinnati’s former first-round pick.
“We’ve got high expectations for Dax,” Taylor said. “We drafted the talent. One thing about Dax, he’s served a lot of different roles at Michigan and here, so (that) is something that we continue to assess as the offseason goes. It could evolve over the course of the summer but still have really high expectations of Dax.”
Where will Dax Hill play for Cincinnati Bengals?
Taylor was specifically asked where Hill will line up next season and Cincinnati’s sixth-year head coach declined to get into the specifics. The Bengals’ coaching staff is working through the options of where they could place Hill.
“That will continue to evolve as we go here,” Taylor said.
Hill has experience playing slot corner and outside cornerback and the Bengals will likely move him around this offseason and through training camp to figure out where his new home will be. Veteran slot cornerback Mike Hilton returns as does cornerbacks Cam Taylor-Britt and DJ Turner and Hill will likely compete with all for his job next season.
https://sports.yahoo.com/where-does-dax-hill-fit-190906183.html
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By Josh AlperPublished March 25, 2024 10:42 AM
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said earlier this month that he expects to be fully cleared from his season-ending wrist injury in the middle of May and it doesn’t sound like anything has altered that timeline in the last few weeks.
Head coach Zac Taylor spoke to reporters from the league meetings in Florida on Monday and said that the team is happy about how things are progressing with the quarterback. He shares Burrow’s belief that he will be ready to go during the offseason program.
“It’s positive,” Taylor said, via Brady Henderson of ESPN.com. “It’s right on schedule, and so we’re encouraged with everything we thought it was going to be and where he’s going to fit into our offseason.”
The Bengals were able to manage a winning record despite Burrow’s loss last season, but they missed the playoffs after a pair of deep postseason runs. The hope in Cincinnati will be for better health and a return to a spot among the final teams in this year’s mix.
Bengals announce updates to Paycor Stadium including decision to keep primary logo
in THE BENGALS FORUM - For Bengals Fans *Only*
Posted
Paycor Stadium is undergoing several updates as the home of the Cincinnati Bengals. The team announced updates on the ongoing projects on Wednesday, including the decision behind keeping the 50-yard line logo the same after considering a change as new turf gets installed.
Cincinnati announced it would be installing new turf at Paycor Stadium ahead of the upcoming season. FieldTurf CORE system is the surface they decided to use moving forward. The Bengals used FieldTurf from 2004-11 and are now one of eight teams to use this as their playing surface.
The Bengals considered changing their primary logo that sits on the 50-yard line, Bengals.com writer Butch Hobson said. They considered the leaping tiger, helmet and tiger head as options before deciding to stick with their primary “B” logo.
"We want our field to be immediately recognizable and our primary logo accomplishes that in a clean, crisp way," Elizabeth Blackburn, the Bengals director of strategy and engagement told Hobson. "The 50-yard line is the natural spot for a team's primary logo and we feel lucky to have a mark that presents well on TV from a distance."
Paycor Stadium also got new club seats in addition to a plaza expansion at the entrance of Gate D. The entrance widens from 60 feet to 200 feet with the hope to make arrivals and departures easier. More technology is also being added as 1,600 TVs will now be scattered around Paycor Stadium.
These upgrades are in addition to the Bengals’ decision to renovate the locker room, a year after upgrading the training room. The Bengals will learn their schedule for the upcoming season as the NFL will release the schedule in the next couple of weeks.
https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-announce-updates-paycor-stadium-155257663.html