Jason LaCanfora: Pats really want Higgins "He's going to New England"

[RobertWeathers]

There is a chance they won't sign Chase long term whether they keep Higgins or not. Chase is going to command like $40 million a year. The Bengals are cheap and they already paid Burrow. They may just try to keep Chase on the fifth year option and then franchise him next year and in 2027.

The problem is whether Chase will just take that or force a trade under that scenario.

Mike Brown is def "financially conservative" but they do spend $

Interesting article on the Bengals financial situation, historical cash spend, and what they are in a position to/not do.

Essentially they can afford to pay Higgins....or they can decide to absorb his tag $ again and still extend Chase.

Financial Breakdown: In-Depth Look at Bengals' Cap Space, Cash Spend and Ability to Improve Roster This Offseason

The Bengals need to make a plethora of moves on offense and defense this offseason. Do they have the resources and ability to do so?

www.si.com

 

[Ross12]

Deebo for a 4th, sign Slayton in FA and move on to the trenches ffs

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. Get Deebo for relatively low trade capital and sign Slayton and Westbrook-Ikhine to shore up the room. Consider the WR room "done" for the time being, but keep an eye on the Higgins situation in case he pops loose, as well as other potential WR situations. Put bigger focus on acquisitions at OL, DL, LB, DB.

 

[Rob0729]

Mike Brown is def "financially conservative" but they do spend $

Interesting article on the Bengals financial situation, historical cash spend, and what they are in a position to/not do.

Essentially they can afford to pay Higgins....or they can decide to absorb his tag $ again and still extend Chase.

Financial Breakdown: In-Depth Look at Bengals' Cap Space, Cash Spend and Ability to Improve Roster This Offseason

The Bengals need to make a plethora of moves on offense and defense this offseason. Do they have the resources and ability to do so?

www.si.com

Whether or not he can afford to pay is kind irrelevant. This article shows that the Bengals historically have spent below the average. The only time they spent the average amount was when they paid Burrow. Before that though, they have let a lot of top free agents walk. If they resign, Chase, Higgins, and/or Hendrickson, they are going have to spend above the average, which according to this article and their limited timeline, they have never done.

 

[maust]

Mike Brown is def "financially conservative" but they do spend $

Interesting article on the Bengals financial situation, historical cash spend, and what they are in a position to/not do.

Essentially they can afford to pay Higgins....or they can decide to absorb his tag $ again and still extend Chase.

Financial Breakdown: In-Depth Look at Bengals' Cap Space, Cash Spend and Ability to Improve Roster This Offseason

The Bengals need to make a plethora of moves on offense and defense this offseason. Do they have the resources and ability to do so?

www.si.com

It's really about the cash spending. The Bungles are facing a huge roster turnover this year along with a couple of big guns in Chase and Hendrickson on tap, at least one of which needs to be extended because they can only tag one next year. That's potentially a bleep-ton of upfront cash Mike Brown would have to pony up in the here and now. The cap can will accept being kicked down the road but cold hard cash actually has to be there and Mike Brown not only doesn't like to part with it he doesn't have a lot it compared to most NFL owners

 

[Pape]

Deebo for a 4th, sign Slayton in FA and move on to the trenches ffs

I'd rather focus on Cooper Kupp than Deebo... Kupp is productive. Deebo is in decline.

as for slayton, he's eh... not much different than what we already have.

 

[maust]

as for slayton, he's eh... not much different than what we already have.

Slayton can take the top off, we don't have that now. Would be different if we did.

 

[Love The Drake]

I'm on the D Slayton Bandwagon took me while. But we need alternatives if Tee Higgins is out.

Slayton is like shopping in the bargain bin again.
Not a fan of that move.
he competes for WR 4

 

[RobertWeathers]

Whether or not he can afford to pay is kind irrelevant. This article shows that the Bengals historically have spent below the average. The only time they spent the average amount was when they paid Burrow. Before that though, they have let a lot of top free agents walk. If they resign, Chase, Higgins, and/or Hendrickson, they are going have to spend above the average, which according to this article and their limited timeline, they have never done.

2% below ave is not a big number.

Historically they have paid QBs and WRs. They've always paid the WR1. Ocho, AJ, and we'll see either Hig or Chase be paid.

I do not think they will pay both but to say Cinci won't pay is wrong.

The question is which one, for how much, and contract length.

 

[Rob0729]

2% below ave is not a big number.

Historically they have paid QBs and WRs. They've always paid the WR1. Ocho, AJ, and we'll see either Hig or Chase be paid.

I do not think they will pay both but to say Cinci won't pay is wrong.

The question is which one, for how much, and contract length.

They have never paid big bucks to multiple WRs at once. In fact, I am not sure they have paid for more than one or two big contracts at any given time.

And 2% below average is based on a five year span which included two years where they paid a lot of money in bonuses to Burrow. You take out those years and it is well below 2% below average. In 2022, they spent 22% below the average.

 

[RobertWeathers]

It's really about the cash spending. The Bungles are facing a huge roster turnover this year along with a couple of big guns in Chase and Hendrickson on tap, at least one of which needs to be extended because they can only tag one next year. That's potentially a bleep-ton of upfront cash Mike Brown would have to pony up in the here and now. The cap can will accept being kicked down the road but cold hard cash actually has to be there and Mike Brown not only doesn't like to part with it he doesn't have a lot it compared to most NFL owners

...and financially they are the unhealthiest of all 32 teams.

Cincinnati Bengals on the Forbes NFL Team Valuations List

Cincinnati Bengals #32 on the Forbes NFL Team Valuations List

www.forbes.com

Their EBITDA is only $42m.

For comparison, Cowboys have an EBITDA of $550 million. Rams had $243 million, Patriots $250 million, and the New York Giants had $185 million.

They can sign them but I agree, they won't.

 

[RobertWeathers]

They have never paid big bucks to multiple WRs at once. In fact, I am not sure they have paid for more than one or two big contracts at any given time.

And 2% below average is based on a five year span which included two years where they paid a lot of money in bonuses to Burrow. You take out those years and it is well below 2% below average.

Most was in the early 2000s when they paid Ocho 11m and TJ 5m.

My point is they will pay a WR1 top dollar.

 

[Rob0729]

Most was in the early 2000s when they paid Ocho 11m and TJ 5m.

My point is they will pay a WR1 top dollar.

But that was before top WR money was $40 million a year. And TJ Housmazadeh got #2 money and I am not even sure it is top #2. Higgins is going to want #1 WR money since he will get it on the open market. Or even if they tag and trade him.

 

[maust]

Historically they have paid QBs and WRs. They've always paid the WR1. Ocho, AJ, and we'll see either Hig or Chase be paid.

Historically they have front loaded their contracts to avoid serious cash outlay outside of cap spending. I suspect from a Mike Brown standpoint the operative word in your second sentence is that "or" between 'Hig or Chase' and, lest we forget, Hendrickson has to fit in there somewhere too

 

[RobertWeathers]

But that was before top WR money was $40 million a year.

That # is relative to the league wide revenues. Revenues back in 2004 are a 1/4 of what they are now.

And TJ Housmazadeh got #2 money and I am not even sure it is top #2. Higgins is going to want #1 WR money since he will get it on the open market. Or even if they tag and trade him.

Again the narrative of the Bengals not paying top dollar for WRs is not accurate.

I agree. They aren't paying Chase and Higgins both WR1 money. Won't happen.

 

[maust]

...and financially they are the unhealthiest of all 32 teams.

Mike Brown is one of the few NFL owners with less than $1B in net worth. Probably has more than a little to do with it

 

[Rob0729]

That # is relative to the league wide revenues. Revenues back in 2004 are a 1/4 of what they are now.

Again the narrative of the Bengals not paying top dollar for WRs is not accurate.

I agree. They aren't paying Chase and Higgins both WR1 money. Won't happen.

I never said they wouldn't pay top dollar for WRs. I said I have never seen them pay top dollars to multiple positions at the same time. I also have said I don't see them paying Chase record breaking money (which is what he will get) and Higgins good to near top #1 WR money (which what he will get too).

 

[RobertWeathers]

I never said they wouldn't pay top dollar for WRs. I said I have never seen them pay top dollars to multiple positions at the same time.

Next year (as of now) Burrow will be 11th in cash for QBs, Chase 11th for WRs and Hendrickson 11th for DEs. That's 1/3 of their total cash spend on 3 players. Strange how they are all outside the top 10 lol.

I also have said I don't see them paying Chase record breaking money (which is what he will get) and Higgins good to near top #1 WR money (which what he will get too).

I see them paying Chase over Higgins. They might give Chase the big bucks. We'll see

 

[RobertWeathers]

Historically they have front loaded their contracts to avoid serious cash outlay outside of cap spending. I suspect from a Mike Brown standpoint the operative word in your second sentence is that "or" between 'Hig or Chase' and, lest we forget, Hendrickson has to fit in there somewhere too

Hendrickson will be 31 next year. They might let him find his last deal in 2026

 

[Rob0729]

Next year (as of now) Burrow will be 11th in cash for QBs, Chase 11th for WRs and Hendrickson 11th for DEs. That's 1/3 of their total cash spend on 3 players. Strange how they are all outside the top 10 lol.

I see them paying Chase over Higgins. They might give Chase the big bucks. We'll see

Chase is playing on his fifth year option of his rookie deal.

Hendrickson is playing on an one year extension of his contract originally written in 2021 before the new TV deals. They gave him that extension to lower his cap number in 2023.

From both Sportstrac and Over the Cap, they have Burrow 6th.

2025 NFL Salary Rankings

Listing the top salaries, cap hits, cash, earnings, contracts, and bonuses, for all active NFL players.

www.spotrac.com

2025 Quarterback Contracts and Salaries | Over The Cap

Ranking the top NFL 2025 Quarterback contracts and salaries in the NFL

overthecap.com

 

[imahobgoblin]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. Get Deebo for relatively low trade capital and sign Slayton and Westbrook-Ikhine to shore up the room. Consider the WR room "done" for the time being, but keep an eye on the Higgins situation in case he pops loose, as well as other potential WR situations. Put bigger focus on acquisitions at OL, DL, LB, DB.

It may be better for SF just to cut Deebo post June 1 and save $5 million.