No news about Tee Higgins-Bengals extension talks has surfaced this year, leading to a trade request — as seven of the other nine 2024 tag recipients agreed to deals. But the Bengals did discuss terms with Higgins last year; those talks did not go well. With Ja’Marr Chase on track for an expected record-setting receiver extension, it is not certain if the Bengals have a Higgins extension — at least, not one at the rate the Cincinnati WR2 would seek — in their plans. Just before last season, a report surfaced the Bengals and Higgins were not close on terms. This prompted the two-time 1,000-yard ..read more

When the Bengals made him a first-round draft choice two years ago, Dax Hill was considered the second-best safety in his class, behind only Kyle Hamilton. While Hamilton became a First-Team All-Pro in his second year in the league for the division-rival Ravens, Hill struggled to make the same leap, and as Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes, the Michigan product will be moved to cornerback. After playing just 131 defensive snaps as a rookie in 2022, Hill became a full-time starter at safety last year followng Jessie Bates‘ free agency defection to the Falcons. Hill’s surface-leve ..read more

On the eve of the draft, it was learned Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson has requested a trade. At the heart of the issue is not a desire to find a new team but rather one for an adjustment to his contract, a pact which has two years years remaining. Neither of Hendrickson’s bases salaries in 2024 and ’25 are guaranteed, and the three-time Pro Bowler is seeking a firm up front commitment from Cincinnati. Recent contract talks did not produce a new agreement (unlike last offseason), however, and team and player know where each other stand in this case. Following the draft, head coach ..read more

The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us. From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 257), we will be keeping tabs here: Round 1 1. Chicago Bears (via Panthers): Caleb Williams (QB, USC) 2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels (QB, LSU) 3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye (QB, UNC) 4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, Ohio State) 5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt (T, Notre Dame) 6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers (WR, LSU) 7. Tennessee Titans: JC Latham (T, Alabama) 8. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr (QB, Washington) 9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze (WR ..read more

A run on defensive players has come to an end. The Bengals have become the latest team to select an offensive lineman, drafting Georgia tackle Amarius Mims. The Bengals bid farewell to four-year starter (and 2023 right tackle) Jonah Williams this offseason, and while they used free agency to bring in a stopgap, Mims profiles as a long-term solution opposite left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. Mims’ frame only adds to the Bengals’ historic dimensions at this position. While Orlando Brown goes 6-foot-8, 345 pounds, presumptive bridge RT option Trent Brown is listed at 6-8, 370. Mims checks in at ..read more

NFL teams have until May 2 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2021 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of the player’s position, initial draft placement and performance- and usage-based benchmarks: Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag Players who achieve any of the following will receive the a ..read more

In the absence of a new deal, Bengals wideout Tee Higgins is known to be seeking a trade sending him elsewhere. The same is now true of edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. The latter is aiming to be dealt, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Hendrickson has two years remaining on his contract, but Schefter notes the Bengals have not been willing to meet his asking price on a new deal. Cincinnati will now have an interesting decision to make in this case on the eve of the draft. To no surprise, though, Paul Dehner of The Athletic adds the team has no intention of working out a trade. Hendrickson join ..read more

A day after the Broncos officially extended Patrick Surtain‘s contract through 2025, the Bengals are making a similarly easy decision. They picked up Ja’Marr Chase‘s fifth-year option. Chase became an instant-impact player for the Bengals, representing a central piece in the team’s rise during Joe Burrow‘s early years. This transaction gives the Bengals two more years of control with Chase, who will be tied to a $21.82MM guarantee in 2025. [RELATED: Tee Higgins Expects To Play For Bengals In 2024] The former No. 5 overall pick’s 2025 guarantee checks in on the top option tier, joining Surtain ..read more

The Chargers have engaged in discussions about trading down from No. 5 overall, and that may well be the new Bolts regime’s goal. Other teams believe the Chargers are eager to move down in Round 1, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes. As far as who would trade up, two AFC West clubs are checking in on what would be a high-profile intra-division transaction. The Broncos and Raiders have called to see about moving up to 5, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, who adds the Vikings have also discussed trade terms with the Bolts (subscription required). Both Fowler and Russini point to the Charge ..read more

Teams regularly come to extension agreements with players to replace RFA tender numbers; the Bengals will move forward on this front with Jake Browning a year early. Cincinnati’s backup quarterback agreed to terms on a two-year extension. Browning was tied to an ERFA tender. The team has announced the extension, one that could ensure the status quo remains on the Cincy QB depth chart for the foreseeable future. This deal keeps Browning on track for unrestricted free agency in 2026, but the Bengals will bypass the RFA process next year and have him locked down until then. This marks a notable c ..read more