Arkansas Bengal

Zac Taylor: I’m excited for Dan Pitcher to increase his role on our staff By Myles Simmons Published January 25, 2024 09:40 AM The Bengals have made it official, announcing that they’ve promoted Dan Pitcher from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator. Pitcher has been with the Bengals since 2016, beginning as an offensive assistant. He was retained under head coach Zac Taylor in 2019 as assistant quarterbacks coach before being promoted to QBs coach in 2020 — just before the team drafted Joe Burrow. “I’m excited for Dan and his opportunity to increase his role on our staff,” head coach Zac Taylor said in a statement. “He has excelled in his job of helping develop our quarterbacks over the past five years. He has been a top contributor to our scheme and that role will now increase. I look forward to seeing him continue to grow in this new position.” Taylor serves as the offensive play-caller in Cincinnati. Still, the offensive coordinator role is still crucial for implementing the team’s scheme. “I couldn’t be more excited and energized by this opportunity,” Pitcher said. “I love this organization and am so grateful to Mike Brown, the Brown and Blackburn families, Duke Tobin and Zac Taylor. That they see me fit for this responsibility means the world to me, and I will work tirelessly to provide every ounce of value I can to this team.” Pitcher did receive interest from other teams as an offensive coordinator candidate, but elected to stay with Cincinnati and continue to work with Burrow. “Our relationship is as good as it gets,” Burrow said. “I wouldn’t be the player I am today without him. He’s been preparing for this for years. He takes his job very seriously and does it with a lot of passion.” Former Cincinnati offensive coordinator Brian Callahan was named head coach of the Titans earlier this week. Profootballtalk.com

I'm tired of Kansas City, but I DESPISE the Ravens. I will never forget the game September 24, 2000 at Baltimore. We were losing 37 - 0 in the 4th quarter, and Brian Billick still had the first string offense in the game, passing the ball trying to score more points. Bruce Coslet was so humiliated that he resigned the next day. So when Joe Burrow lit them up in Baltimore 41 - 17 in 2021, it was payback. FUCK THE RATBIRDS!!! I hope KC DESTROYS them Sunday.

ahoo Sp Tue, Jan 23, 2024 at 7:50 PM MST·1 min read The Cincinnati Bengals will have two additional selections in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft due to the compensatory pick process. So says the final projections from Over The Cap’s Nick Korte, which projects the Bengals land an extra fifth-round pick and an extra seventh-round pick, bringing their overall count in the draft to nine selections. The fifth would arrive due to the loss of safety Vonn Bell to the Carolina Panthers in free agency, while the seventh would be due to running back Samaje Perine to the Denver Broncos. Compensatory picks are awarded by weighing a team’s new signings vs. outgoing players on the market. So in the cancellation chart, the signing of Orlando Brown Jr. negated a possible third-round comp pick for losing Jessie Bates, while the arrival of Nick Scott canceled out the loss of Hayden Hurst. https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-net-2-draft-picks-025004167.html

Chris Roling Tue, Jan 23, 2024, 5:30 AM CST·6 min read 1 The Cincinnati Bengals enter the offseason with a host of questions to answer and free agency possibly providing major solutions. Granted, free agency presents some hurdles too, considering Cincinnati’s own such as Tee Higgins and Jonah Williams are currently slated to hit the open market. Still, the cap-savvy Bengals have once again juggled the cap well and currently boast roughly $59 million in free space, the sixth-highest mark in the NFL. Let’s rank the top free agents the Bengals could target on the open market when it opens, for now looping in all players slated for free agency before extensions and tags happen, including their own. 25. RB Derrick Henry Syndication: The Tennessean Great fit? Debatable. But it’s a fun one to have near the end of the rankings, as imagining defenses having to worry about Henry bulldozing them and accounting for Joe Burrow’s passing game seems like a nice mix. He’s slowing down, but still a threat. 24. DL Daquan Jones Syndication: Democrat and Chronicle Jones can rush from anywhere and excelled in Buffalo for that reason. He’s an ideal rotational piece, especially if DJ Reader isn’t back. 23. OT Mike Onwenu Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports Onwenu is massive and found a home at right tackle this year, possibly making him a budget Jonah Williams replacement. But the experience at other spots sure doesn’t hurt if injuries occur, too. 22. Edge Jadeveon Clowney Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports It looks like Clowney is going to finish out his career on one-year pacts. He’s coming off a career year with the Ravens and would look pretty good on the same line as Trey Hendrickson. 21. TE Hunter Henry Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports The market is pretty weak for tight ends but Henry just scored six more times in a bad New England passing attack and would be a nice option for Burrow. 20. TE Noah Fant Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports A former first-rounder yet to fully live up to potential, Fant is an interesting fit because of his ability after the catch. 19. RB Tony Pollard Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports Pollard’s slowing down too, but it’s pretty hard to ignore his explosive plays as a runner or receiver and how that might fit with Joe Mixon, provided the veteran returns as the main back again. 18. RB Austin Ekeler Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports Possibly more expensive than Pollard (but who knows, given how the league treats RBs), Ekeler remains the blueprint for an ideal pass-catching back and would fit great. 17. G Dalton Risner Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports Risner would arrive and make for an interesting bit of competition for Cordell Volson at left guard. 16. CB Steven Nelson Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports Going on 31 years old, Nelson is one of those reliable veterans the Bengals would probably love to add. 15. DL Teair Tart Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports The Bengals were one of the few teams to attempt to claim Tart on waivers earlier this year, which says it all about the team’s interest and fit. 14. Edge Denico Autry Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports Autry might turn 34 next year, but what he’s able to do across a defensive line remains impressive and will interest a Bengals team that needs to upgrade the entire rotation. 13. TE Dalton Schultz (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) Schultz is the best tight end possibly headed to market, reliable down the field and a solid run blocker, making him a pricer option than Cincinnati usually takes. 12. CB Chidobe Awuzie Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports Awuzie never got all the way back from his injury the year prior, clearly. But if he’s willing to return as a backup and rotational guy, the Bengals would probably love to retain his knowledge and example for a younger developing secondary. 11. OT Trent Brown Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Brown is over 30 years old but might be one of those Jonah Williams replacements that makes sense, especially because of his experience at other positons if the injury bug strikes. 10. DB Antoine Winfield Jr. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports Hey, do the Bengals want to go all out in correcting the Jessie Bates mistake? It would be impossible to not find a role for a player as talented as Winfield, provided the team is willing to pay. 9. OT Jonah Williams Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Williams enjoyed a career upswing at right tackle, even if he preferred to play on the left side. Finally finding a right tackle is surely appealing to the Bengals, though they will need to see what the market pays him like — and if it’s left tackle numbers instead. 8. DL Leonard Williams Syndication: The Record Williams continues to enjoy an upswing in pass-rush efficiency in a way that might appeal to the Bengals, depending on if the market goes wild for his services. 7. DE Chase Young Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports Young makes this list pretty much strictly because there’s a chance he needs to settle for a one-year, prove-it deal. That would certainly be a great buy for a Bengals line already sporting Hendrickson. 6. DL DJ Reader Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports Reader has been one of the biggest, yet underrated components of Cincinnati’s contention over the last few years. The season-ending injury makes this complicated, but if the market decides he only gets a one-year, prove-it deal, there’s zero reason to not bring him back when he’s ready. 5. CB L’Jarius Sneed Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports Sneed is a high-end No. 1 cornerback and about to be paid like it. But we’ve got to list him on the off chance the Bengals get impatient with the young secondary and pull a Trey Hendrickson-type move. 4. DL Justin Madubuike (AP Photo/Terrance Williams) Swiping a producer like Madubuike (half sack in 13 of 17 games this season) from a rival like the Ravens would be a no-brainer of a move. 3. DL Christian Wilkins Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports Wilkins probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves as an all-around player and would make for a fantastic, versatile option on the Cincinnati front. 2. DL Chris Jones (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) One of the most popular Twitter theories out there, Jones is one of the best interior pass-rushers and defenders of his generation, which Bengals fans know all too well. The logic here is simple: If Jones does leave the Chiefs, he’ll at least want to play for a contender and he and the Bengals know a thing or two about each other. 1. WR Tee Higgins (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) Who else? The Bengals are almost guaranteed to place the franchise tag on Higgins, making him their No. 1 target. There’s no sense in giving up that year of control and risking the championship window if they can’t find a way to work out an extension. https://sports.yahoo.com/top-25-free-agent-targets-113012101.html

Chris Roling Tue, Jan 23, 2024, 8:29 AM CST·1 min read It doesn’t feel like draft dseason gets officially underway until Mel Kiper Jr. issues his first mock draft. That arrived Tuesday and in Kiper’s first effort, the Cincinnati Bengals get a little risky. Risky, because the Bengals are willing to start over at a key spot on the offensive line again, standing still at No. 18 and selecting Alabama offensive lineman JC Latham: Not that Latham isn’t a good prospect and the fit makes sense if the team can’t or won’t pay Jonah Williams to stick at right tackle. But to be blunt, the Bengals have a horrific track record drafting offensive linemen, something they’ve quietly admitted in recent years by paying huge amounts of money to free agents other teams have drafted and developed instead. Granted, there’s a scenario where the Bengals simply can’t afford what the market pays Williams. But his solid play after making the transition to the right side might just be worth investing in so that the team doesn’t have to go back to an unknown at an offensive tackle spot as Joe Burrow comes back from another season-ending injury. https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-risk-mel-kiper-first-142918863.html

Published: Jan 22, 2024 at 10:54 AM Headshot_Author_Bucky_Brooks_1400x1000 Bucky Brooks NFL.com Analyst Here's my first projection of how the entire first round will play out in Detroit when the 2024 NFL Draft begins on April 25. NOTES: As of this writing, the draft order for picks 1-28 is set. The order for picks 29-32 will be determined by postseason results. Those picks are ordered in this mock based on regular-season record, with strength of schedule as the tiebreaker. Pick 1 Chicago Bears (via CAR) Caleb Williams USC · QB · Junior GM Ryan Poles should take the best quarterback in the draft, with or without Justin Fields on the roster. The Bears could recreate the Alex Smith-Patrick Mahomes scenario for a season (with Williams enjoying a redshirt year before taking over) or they could move on from Fields this offseason to usher in a new era with a young -- and cheap -- franchise quarterback. Pick 2 Washington Commanders Drake Maye North Carolina · QB · Sophomore (RS) The Commanders could take Maye and sit him behind his former North Carolina teammate, Sam Howell, until he is ready to assume control as the franchise quarterback. Maye offers immense talent and potential, but with only two years of starting experience at UNC, he would benefit from an apprenticeship before taking over as QB1 down the road. Pick 3 New England Patriots Jayden Daniels LSU · QB · Senior If new head coach Jerod Mayo is serious about upgrading the most important position on the team, he cannot afford to bypass the Heisman Trophy winner at pick No. 3 in this exercise. The spectacular dual-threat playmaker would add some sizzle to an offense that lacked explosiveness under Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe. Pick 4 Arizona Cardinals Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State · WR · Junior The Cardinals add a Larry Fitzgerald-like playmaker to a lineup that desperately needs a No. 1 receiver on the perimeter. The Ohio State standout is a plug-and-play prospect with superstar potential. Pick 5 Los Angeles Chargers Brock Bowers Georgia · TE · Junior If the Chargers are committed to upgrading the supporting cast around Justin Herbert, Bowers could be the perfect pick as a playmaking tight end. Pick 6 New York Giants Rome Odunze Washington · WR · Senior If the Giants are going to continue with Daniel Jones as their QB1, they must add a legitimate No. 1 receiver to help the quarterback thrive. As a catch-and-run specialist with superior strength and power, Odunze could make the game easier for Jones. Pick 7 Tennessee Titans Olumuyiwa Fashanu Penn State · OT · Junior (RS) After dealing with a season of offensive woes, the Titans prioritize the front line with the selection of Fashanu. Pick 8 Atlanta Falcons Dallas Turner Alabama · Edge · Junior The need to upgrade the pass rush makes Turner the ideal pick at this point. The Alabama standout is an athletic speed rusher with outstanding first-step quickness. Pick 9 Chicago Bears Laiatu Latu UCLA · Edge · Senior Pairing an energetic pass rusher with Montez Sweat could help the Bears' defense continue to improve under Matt Eberflus. This ultra-athletic QB hunter routinely wins with an assortment of finesse moves off the edge. Pick 10 New York Jets Joe Alt Notre Dame · OT · Junior Fixing the offensive line is the top priority for GM Joe Douglas and Co. The Notre Dame standout is a Day 1 starter with strong hands and nimble feet. Pick 11 Minnesota Vikings Jared Verse Florida State · Edge · Senior Adding an athletic pass rusher to the lineup will enhance the Vikings’ aggressive schemes under Brian Flores. The Florida State standout flashes double-digit potential as a sack artist. Pick 12 Denver Broncos Terrion Arnold Alabama · CB · Sophomore (RS) The Broncos pair Pat Surtain II with Arnold, a polished cover corner. With exceptional instincts and awareness, the former Tide star is a scheme-friendly defensive playmaker on the perimeter. Pick 13 Las Vegas Raiders Taliese Fuaga Oregon State · OT · Junior (RS) Beefing up the offensive line is a top priority for a team that wants to control the trenches. Fuaga is a mauler/brawler with the size, strength and nastiness to help the Raiders dominate the point of attack. Pick 14 New Orleans Saints JC Latham Alabama · OT · Junior The Saints’ uncertainty at offensive tackle could lead the team to take another player at the position in Round 1. Latham is a massive brawler with the strength, power and length to punish defenders in the run game. Pick 15 Indianapolis Colts Malik Nabers LSU · WR · Junior Michael Pittman Jr.’s impending free agency could ultimately force GM Chris Ballard to take a No. 1 receiver early in the draft. Nabers is a baller with the ability to shine as a featured playmaker in the Colts’ scheme. Pick 16 Seattle Seahawks Byron Murphy II Texas · DT · Junior Fixing the defense is a must for Seattle after the unit struggled down the stretch. Murphy is a disruptive interior presence with the speed and quickness to dominate against the run or pass. Pick 17 Jacksonville Jaguars T'Vondre Sweat Texas · DT · Senior After watching the defense crumble over the second half of the season, the Jaguars are intent on upgrading the front line. Sweat is a massive interior defender with the strength, power and heavy hands to snuff out the run at the point of attack. Pick 18 Cincinnati Bengals Brian Thomas Jr. LSU · WR · Junior The potential loss of Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd in free agency could force the Bengals to take an offensive weapon early in the draft. Thomas is an athletic playmaker with the size and ball skills to thrive as a WR2 opposite Ja’Marr Chase. Pick 19 Los Angeles Rams Bo Nix Oregon · QB · Senior As Matthew Stafford heads toward his age-36 season, the Rams could target his eventual replacement early in the 2024 draft. Nix’s experience and maturity fits a locker room that takes a business-like approach to preparation. Pick 20 Pittsburgh Stealers Amarius Mims Georgia · OT · Junior A commitment to retool the offense could prompt the Stealers to add a massive blocker to the lineup. Mims’ size, athleticism and movement skills make him an intriguing option for a team that excels in player development. Pick 21 Miami Dolphins Jackson Powers-Johnson Oregon · IOL · Junior Beefing up the line could help the Dolphins upgrade an offense that struggled against physical defensive fronts. Pick 22 Philadelphia Eagles Nate Wiggins Clemson · CB · Junior The Eagles’ secondary woes will force GM Howie Roseman to address the situation in the draft. Wiggins is an athletic freak with the tools to flourish early in his career. Pick 23 Houston Texans (via CLE) Troy Fautanu Washington · OL · Senior With C.J. Stroud blossoming into a franchise quarterback, the Texans must make a concerted effort to keep him protected. Fautanu would give the team the flexibility to reshuffle the O-line and put its five best pass protectors in front of the emerging superstar. Pick 24 Dallas Cowboys Tyler Guyton Oklahoma · OT · Senior The Cowboys must prepare for left tackle Tyron Smith’s eventual departure. Guyton is ideally suited to play on the right side, but his presence would give the 'Boys options for a potential reshuffle if Smith leaves Dallas this offseason. Pick 25 Green Bay Packers Kool-Aid McKinstry Alabama · CB · Junior Adding a dynamic cover corner would upgrade the Packers’ depth in the defensive backfield. McKinstry flashes CB1 skills, but needs some time to refine his technique before assuming that role as a pro. Pick 26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Keon Coleman Florida State · WR · Junior Mike Evans’ age (will turn 31 before next season) and impending free agency pushes WR1 to the top of the Buccaneers’ needs list. Coleman is a pass-catching phenom with outstanding ball skills and leaping ability. Pick 27 Arizona Cardinals (via HOU) Jordan Morgan Arizona · OT · Senior The Cardinals commit to building up the front line. Morgan is a gritty player with the potential to fill a role on the interior or outside at tackle. Pick 28 Buffalo Bills Cooper DeJean Iowa · DB · Junior Sean McDermott loves versatile defensive backs with instincts and a high football IQ. DeJean is an A+ athlete with experience at multiple positions in the secondary. Pick 29 Kansas City Chiefs Kris Jenkins Michigan · DT · Junior (RS) The Chiefs’ surging defense has thrived with a collection of young players slotted into prominent roles. Jenkins is an intriguing prospect with the bloodlines -- his father, Kris Sr., was a four-time Pro Bowler -- and physical tools to blossom into a star. Pick 30 Detroit Lions Chop Robinson Penn State · Edge · Junior The Lions need to find a complementary pass rusher to place opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Robinson is a freak athlete. Pick 31 San Francisco 49ers Quinyon Mitchell Toledo · CB · Senior The sensational MAC standout possesses the prototypical dimensions and playmaking attributes to flourish for the 49ers. Pick 32 Baltimore Ravens Bralen Trice Washington · Edge · Senior The Ravens have a knack for selecting prospects who outperform their athletic-testing numbers. Trice is a standout football player with the polished pass-rushing skills to create problems for blockers. https://www.nfl.com/news/bucky-brooks-2024-nfl-mock-draft-1-0

Hell, they bail on the run after a series or two even if it DOES produce...

Chris Roling Sun, Jan 21, 2024, 9:07 PM CST·1 min read The Cincinnati Bengals approach a key offseason with plenty of questions to address over a stretch that will decide much about 2024 and beyond. With a top-20 draft pick, key free agents like Tee Higgins and Jonah Williams and a variety of needs to address, the team doesn’t have a lot of time to figure it all out. Here’s a guide to some of the most important dates of the offseason: February 20 – Clubs may designate Franchise or Transition players February 27 through March 4 – NFL Scouting Combine March 5 – Deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players March 13 – Start of the 2024 league year March 13 – Free Agency begins April 15 – Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs. April 25 through April 27 – NFL Draft in Detriot, MI Beyond roster management, one thing Bengals fans will want to keep in mind is that Joe Burrow expects he could be throwing again by the spring. https://sports.yahoo.com/cincinnati-bengals-important-offseason-dates-030739373.html

What a choke job by Bass!!

No way the refs will let the Bills win this.

That is one of the worst things I've ever seen...

Lamar getting knocked on his ass!!! Keep it up!

Fairbairn choked…

Go Texans!

New mock draft shows Bengals could get stuck in run on OL Chris Roling January 19, 2024 7:00 pm The Cincinnati Bengals could be on the hunt for first-round offensive line help in the 2024 NFL draft. That’s a common thought that has shown up a lot in mock drafts already. A new one, though, shows the Bengals could have some problems getting the guy they prefer in the offensive trenches. In a new mock from NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah, starting at pick No. 7, a stunning nine offensive linemen come off the board through the 25th pick. For what it’s worth, the Bengals go with Alabama’s JC Latham at No. 18: Point is, the Bengals might want to be more open to the idea of moving around in the draft than in the past if they really prefer one guy over the other — because this feels like the first time in a long time that there could be a massive push at the spot in the opening round. Or, in order to prevent this problem, the team could always find a way to re-up with Jonah Williams after his mini-breakout at right tackle this year, removing the need for a first-round tackle completely. https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2024/01/19/bengals-new-mock-draft-jc-latham/?itm_source=parsely-api

Cleveland Browns Set to Watch $45.7 Million Worth of Talent Hit NFL Free Agency Story by Luke Norris • 16h After posting a surprising 11-6 record during the 2023 NFL regular season to earn the No. 5 seed in the AFC, the Cleveland Browns were embarrassed in the opening round of the playoffs in a 45-14 loss to the Houston Texans. The Browns are now faced with an interesting offseason as executive VP of football operations and general manager Andrew Berry faces some salary-cap issues and a lengthy list of unrestricted free agents. That’s a list of 26, to be exact, according to Over the Cap, some of whom were key contributors to Cleveland’s success this past year. The most recognizable name, of course, is quarterback Joe Flacco, who came off his couch to lead Cleveland to four key victories down the stretch. Never a long-term option, Flacco isn’t likely to be back as the Browns are obviously set under center with Deshaun Watson and his massive guaranteed contract. Besides, Flacco may end up getting the chance to start elsewhere. Other notable names include defensive end Za’Darius Smith, linebackers Anthony Walker Jr. and Sione Takitaki, tight end Harrison Bryant, safety Rodney McLeod, offensive tackle Geron Christian, punter Corey Bojorquez, and running back Kareem Hunt. The Browns Have 26 Pending Free Agents Heading Into the 2024 NFL Offseason As mentioned, the Browns have 26 total players set to hit the market this offseason. And while many justify retention, both stars and role players alike, the fact remains that Berry will have to let some of them walk as Cleveland is in somewhat of a pickle financially. But before we get to that, here’s the Browns’ full list of pending free agents. 2024 Cleveland Browns Free Agents Player Position Type Current APY Za’Darius Smith EDGE Void $11,677,000 Shelby Harris IDL UFA $3,500,000 Sione Takitaki LB UFA $2,582,500 Joe Flacco QB UFA $2,200,000 Harrison Bryant TE UFA $1,750,000 Marquise Goodwin WR UFA $1,700,000 Jordan Elliott IDL UFA $1,700,000 Corey Bojorquez P UFA $1,690,000 Jakeem Grant WR Void $1,512,500 Mike Ford CB UFA $1,500,000 Kareem Hunt RB UFA $1,350,000 Rodney McLeod S UFA $1,317,500 Matthew Adams LB UFA $1,232,500 Jordan Kunaszyk LB UFA $1,232,500 Anthony Walker Jr. LB UFA $1,232,500 Duron Harmon S UFA $1,165,000 Jeff Driskel QB UFA $1,140,000 Jacob Phillips LB UFA $1,086,078 Geron Christian LT UFA $1,080,000 Maurice Hurst IDL UFA $1,080,000 James Proche WR UFA $1,010,000 Michael Dunn LG UFA $1,010,000 P.J. Walker QB UFA $1,010,000 Nick Harris C UFA $902,412 Sam Kamara IDL ERFA $870,000 Ty Nsekhe LT SFA $438,444 For those scoring at home, that’s $45,736,434 worth of Cleveland Browns talent ready to test free agency. The Browns Are Projected to Be $13.86 Million Over the Salary Cap Even with the 26 names above off the books, the Browns face some financial concerns heading into this offseason, as Spotrac projects them to be $13.866 million over the salary cap. The biggest issue, of course, is the $63.977 million hit they’re set to take on Deshaun Watson, which marks the largest cap hit in NFL history, according to The Athletic. But it’s not as if Watson is the only well-paid player on the Cleveland roster, as Amari Cooper, Denzel Ward, and Myles Garrett are all set to rake in more than $20 million during the 2024 campaign. Now, Berry has already restructured Watson’s contract once and will likely do so again this year to free up space. Exactly how much space is obviously yet to be known, but even if Watson’s cap hit goes down, the Browns will still face some problems in free agency, whether it’s retaining some of the players listed above or bringing in new blood. In addition, there are likely going to have to be some cap casualties, one of which may be running back Nick Chubb. The four-time Pro Bowler, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in Week 2, is owed $15.825 million in 2024 but only carries a dead-cap hit of $4 million, which means the Browns could free up more than $11 million if they cut him. Wide receiver Elijah Moore and kicker Dustin Hopkins could find themselves on the chopping block as well. Buckle up, Browns fans. It’s bound to be a wild offseason. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/cleveland-browns-set-to-watch-45-7-million-worth-of-talent-hit-nfl-free-agency/ar-BB1gY7J2?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=7921c068db6745d2a57b4fb98e29d54f&ei=75

Report: Marvin Lewis is expected to join Antonio Pierce’s staff By Charean Williams Published January 19, 2024 09:27 PM The Raiders have their head coach, taking the interim tag of Antonio Pierce’s title Friday. Now, he can begin the process of filling out his staff. Pierce reportedly is consulting with Tom Coughlin. The Raiders want Marvin Lewis in some official capacity on staff, NFL Media reports. Pierce hired Lewis to help him after he was named interim coach halfway through the season. Lewis now is expected to have a formal role. It is not surprising given the long relationship between the men. Lewis coached Pierce in Washington and the two were on Herm Edwards’ staff at Arizona State before Pierce joined the Raiders in 2022. Pierce will not retain most of the team’s offensive staff, including interim coordinator Bo Hardegree, per NFL Media. The Raiders averaged 289.5 yards per game, which ranked 27th, and 19.5 points per game, which ranked 23rd. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/report-marvin-lewis-is-expected-to-join-antonio-pierces-staff

Chris Roling Fri, Jan 19, 2024 at 4:27 PM CST·1 min read 1 Before he heads to NFL free agency, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd was announced as a member of the WPIAL Hall of Fame Class of 2024. A massive honor for the former Clairton football and Pittsburgh Panthers star, Boyd fielded many questions about his career recently during events related to the nomination. One of those centered on the future. While Boyd had nothing but good things to say about a Bengals organization that took a risk on him, he also gave an expected answer when asked what he thought about possibly joining the Pittsburgh Stealers in free agency. “You never know,” Boyd told Dominic Campbell of Pittsburgh Sports Now. “I love Coach Tomlin. He’s probably one of the realest dudes in the sport’s business. Obviously, I played at Pitt, and I had a lot of run-ins with him and talked to him just about football. His personality is more like a father figure, it’s a great connection, but who knows? Even if I don’t go after this year, I could do a one-year deal at the end of my career and maybe finish up, but who knows.” ADVERTISEMENT The entire interview is very much worth a read, but Boyd leaving the Bengals to go home is something fans have speculated for a while now. There, he’d play the Bengals twice a year while forming a trio with George Pickens and Diontae Johnson. Given the hometown connection, the Stealers have to be considered one of the likeliest landing spots for Boyd if he and the Bengals don’t find a way to work something out while the major contracts go to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Chad Johnson predicts Bengals championship in 2024 By Jeremy Rauch Published: Jan. 18, 2024 at 9:57 PM CST|Updated: 19 hours ago CINCINNATI (WXIX) - Cincinnati Bengals legend Chad Johnson was back in the Queen City Thursday night for a special event, and he had a lot to say about his NFL team. Johnson was at the 53rd-annual Roger Bacon Sports Stag where he received the Tom Roebel Good Fellowship Award. Not only was the former wide receiver there for the event, but he also shared his thoughts on the Bengals. “I know the script for the NFL next year. We’re going to the Super Bowl. What school did Joe Burrow go to? LSU. Where’s the Super Bowl next year? New Orleans. That’s it,” Johnson said. He also gave a special message to Tee Higgins. “Tee, I love you. Call me,” he said. Johnson told FOX19 that he would love for Higgins to stay with the Bengals, but understands the business side of things and believes he deserves to be a number-one receiver somewhere if the money does not work here. But he did not stop with a message for Higgins. Johnson also made a pitch to Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor. “Give me any spot on the coaching staff, I’ll leave Miami and come back to Cincinnati,” he said. https://www.fox19.com/2024/01/19/i-know-script-chad-johnson-predicts-bengals-championship-2024/

Go Texans!!!

Chris Roling Thu, Jan 18, 2024, 3:48 PM CST·1 min read The Cincinnati Bengals figure to address the tight end position this offseason once again. Whether that comes in the form of another cost-effective deal or big resource spend like a notable draft pick is up for debate. What isn’t, though, is who the team might be interested in during free agency. Dalton Schultz is the name listed as the one free agent the Bengals should pursue from Pro Football Focus’ Gordon McGuinness: Schultz, going on 28 years old, appeared in 15 games last season, his first with the Houston Texans, with 635 yards and five touchdowns. That’s the third season in a row he caught at least five scores. While the Bengals seem likely to keep Drew Sample and Tanner Hudson in some capacity, Schultz is one of those possibly cheaper options who might be able to outplay expectations. https://sports.yahoo.com/pff-wants-see-bengals-chase-214841297.html

Ben Baby, ESPN Staff WriterJan 18, 2024, 06:00 AM ET CINCINNATI -- Pinpointing where exactly things went wrong for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023 isn't as easy as it appears. The obvious choice is Week 11 at the Baltimore Ravens, when quarterback Joe Burrow tried to throw the ball on the sideline but couldn't because a ligament in his right wrist popped. But it was just one of many issues that derailed Cincinnati's hopes of making a deep playoff run for the third straight season. One could go back to the beginning of the offseason, when safeties Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell signed with other teams in free agency, leaving a big void in the Bengals' secondary. Another inflection point occurred when the Bengals were unable to find a viable starting tight end in free agency. And of course, the injuries that put Cincinnati off on a bad foot from the beginning. "It was a weird year," Burrow said on Jan. 8, one day after the Bengals ended the year with a 9-8 record. "Never really felt like we really reached our potential to what we were." An ailing quarterback Things seemed doomed from the second practice of training camp. That day, Burrow arrived wearing a compression sleeve on his right calf. During team drills, Burrow suffered a strained right calf when he rolled right on a pass play. Not only did Burrow miss more than a month of practice, but he was limited for the first several weeks of the season. In his final news conference of the regular season, Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said the team's offensive game plan for 2023 was derailed once Burrow went down. "We were trying to manage Joe the best we could," Callahan said. "So, a lot of the things that we had intended to do earlier than we did was more about that than anything else." Through the first four weeks of the season, the Bengals operated out of shotgun on 93.6% of their offensive plays, according to ESPN Stats & Information. When Burrow's mobility improved, that number dropped to 85.4%. And in the five games Burrow was healthy, the Bengals went 4-1, a stretch that included wins over the San Francisco 49ers and the Buffalo Bills and a narrow home loss to the Houston Texans. All three teams made the divisional round of the playoffs. In 2022, the Bengals were .500 through the first eight games of the season before they won eight straight games and eventually won their second straight AFC North title. Burrow's season-ending injury in 2023 came on a touchdown pass that gave Cincinnati a 10-7 lead on the road against the Ravens. That game ended in a 34-20 Bengals loss. "An injury happened right where we usually start to take that jump in the year where we have in years past," Burrow said. "It was a tough year." Offseason attrition The salary cap squeeze was on the horizon once it became clear in 2021 that Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase were going to command massive contracts to reward their importance to the team's future success. That impact was felt months before Burrow signed his $275 million contract extension in September. Bates, Cincinnati's starting free safety for five seasons, signed a four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons worth $64 million. Bell, who had been with the Bengals since 2020 as a strong safety, signed a three-year deal with the Carolina Panthers worth $22.5 million. To replace them, Dax Hill, a first-round pick in 2022, took over for Bates, while the Bengals signed Nick Scott to a modest three-year deal worth $12 million, including $3 million guaranteed, to fill in for Bell. That was part of a difficult year for Cincinnati's defense. The Bengals led the NFL in most plays allowed of 20 or more yards. Of those 82 plays surrendered, 65 were on passing plays. When third-round pick Jordan Battle replaced Scott midway through the season, that gave Cincinnati three first-year starters in the secondary (Battle, Hill, rookie cornerback DJ Turner). Part of the growing pains for the young group were in-game breakdowns that the Bengals were unable to solve. "Some of the things unfold during the game that don't unfold during the week of practice," defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said on Jan. 3. "It's hard to fix if it's not fixable during the week. And so those are the things that we have to correct and figure out as we move forward." On the offensive side, the Bengals also struggled to replace tight end Hayden Hurst, who signed a three-year deal with the Panthers worth $21.8 million. Irv Smith Jr., who began the year as the starter, didn't see the field in the final three games of the regular season. Lack of big plays in the run game Another key offseason decision played a role in how the Bengals looked offensively last season. Starting running back Joe Mixon, the former Pro Bowler whom the team drafted in 2018, agreed to terms on a restructured deal that softened his salary cap hit for the 2023 season. The total numbers show Mixon had a productive year. He was 12th in the NFL in total scrimmage yards with 1,410 (1,034 rushing, 376 receiving). That earned him a spot as a first Pro Bowl alternate. But Mixon didn't hit on big runs. Against defensive boxes with six or fewer defenders, Mixon was 25th in success rate among running backs with at least 20 carries, per NFL Next Gen Stats. Rookie Chase Brown, who had his first career touchdown on a screen pass he converted into a 54-yard score, was last among 76 qualifying running backs in success rate against light defensive boxes. Entering 2023, players and coaches said having an explosive running game was going to be important. As the Bengals get ready for 2024, that remains a focal point. "I think we can be more explosive in the run game," Burrow said. "I think we've been efficient. The run game has been able to keep us on schedule. It would be nice to hit a couple of big runs." Burrow said Mixon had one of his best seasons and praised how the duo looked at the end of the season. But the Bengals will have to decide again if that group is good enough to push Cincinnati back into title contention next season. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39330472/burrow-injury-secondary-attrition-derailed-bengals

Browns Fire OC Alex Van Pelt, Two Offensive Assistants Story by Anthony Poisal • 59m Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski has reportedly made some major changes to his offensive coaching staff to begin the 2024 offseason. Stefanaki, who just led the Browns to their second trip to the playoffs since becoming head coach in 2020, fired offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, running backs coach Stump Mitchell and tight ends coach T.C. McCartney, according to a report from Josina Anderson. Anderson also noted that "some of the players are upset from the news." The firings, which happened Tuesday, per Anderson, are a bit shocking after the Browns became the first team since 2015 to win games with four different starting quarterbacks. They finished 16th in the NFL in yards per game (335.9) and 10th in points per game (23.3) despite losing Deshaun Watson, Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb and their top three offensive tackles to season-ending injuries throughout the year. Van Pelt, Mitchell and McCartney had all been on Stefanski's staff since he arrived with the team in 2020. McCartney oversaw a career-best season from tight end David Njoku last season after the seventh-year player finished second on the Browns with 882 receiving yards and six touchdowns — both career-highs. McCartney had also previously been an offensive assistant in 2020-21 and was also with the team as an offensive assistant in 2014. Mitchell had been the running backs coach since Stefanski became the head coach. The Browns finished the year 12th in the league with 118.6 yards per game despite losing Chubb with a season-ending injury in Week 2. That opened the door for Jerome Ford to take over the starting role and lead the Browns with 813 rushing yards, although his 4.0 yards per carry ranked 29th in the league among rushers with at least 100 carries. The Browns finished the regular season with four wins in their final four meaningful games behind the stellar play of then-38-year-old QB Joe Flacco, but their hot streak came to an abrupt end Saturday in the Wild Card Round with a 45-14 beatdown from the Texans. Flacco threw back-to-back-pick sixes in the second half of the game, which essentially shut down any shot of the Browns climbing back from a 10-point deficit at halftime. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/report-browns-fire-oc-alex-van-pelt-two-offensive-assistants/ar-AA1n7uBA?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=313366089e624b6daf7e4dfe2a61f44b&ei=40