The Cincinnati Bengals have extended star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s contract through the 2025 season by exercising his fifth-year option. This move ensures that the Pro Bowl standout remains with the team for two more years and highlights the Bengals’ commitment to building a championship-caliber roster around quarterback Joe Burrow. Chase’s exceptional performance since joining the Bengals in 2021 has made him a key contributor to the team’s success, and his extension is a testament to his value. With Chase and Tee Higgins under contract, the Bengals boast one of the most dynamic wide receiver duos in the NFL.
Results for: Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals currently possess the No. 18 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but they may consider trading up if they believe they can acquire an elite talent. College scouting director Mike Potts has hinted at the team’s willingness to make a move for a player who can significantly boost their roster. With several needs addressed through free agency, the Bengals can now adopt a best-player-available approach.
The Cincinnati Bengals have 10 draft picks this year but may struggle to fit all 10 rookies onto their 53-man roster. To address this, the Bengals are considering trading up in the draft, particularly in the top 100 picks, to acquire players with starting potential. This strategy aligns with the team’s belief that they are close to championship contention and need to fill specific holes on their roster. While the Bengals have traditionally been reluctant to reduce their number of draft picks, they have made several trades up in recent years, including moves in the fourth and fifth rounds in 2019 and a second-round trade in 2022. The success of these trades will depend on the Bengals making the right deals for players who can make an immediate impact.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard has revealed that an ankle injury he suffered last season was more serious than initially believed. Hubbard dealt with the injury throughout the year, playing through it to record 58 tackles, six sacks, and 17 QB hits. However, his production declined in the second half of the season, and a fluoroscopy after the season revealed that it wasn’t a routine ankle sprain. Fortunately, Hubbard underwent successful surgery and is expected to be fully healthy for the start of the 2024 season.
The Houston Texans have added running back Joe Mixon to their roster in a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals. Mixon, a former Pro Bowler, was acquired for a seventh-round draft pick. Despite the signing of star wide receiver Stefon Diggs, the move for Mixon has received less attention. Texans general manager Nick Caserio explained that Mixon was set to be released and the team saw an opportunity to acquire him. Mixon had a productive 2023 season, rushing for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns. He also caught 52 passes for 376 yards and three touchdowns. The 27-year-old has four 1,000-yard seasons in his career, but his efficiency has declined in recent years. It remains to be seen if Mixon can regain his efficiency with the Texans in 2024.
The Cincinnati Bengals have signed former draft pick Logan Woodside to a one-year deal and re-signed exclusive rights free agent Jake Browning to a two-year contract. Browning, who started seven games for the Bengals last season, was signed to a deal that is considered unfair and clumsy, as it only pays him the league minimum salary. Woodside, a fifth-year player out of the University of Toledo, has played in 13 career games for the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons.
The Cincinnati Bengals have re-signed exclusive rights free agent quarterback Jake Browning to a two-year deal, the team announced on Tuesday. Browning, 28, has been with the Bengals since 2021 and emerged as a reliable backup to Joe Burrow last season. In nine games with seven starts, he threw for 1,936 yards and 12 touchdowns with seven interceptions while completing 70.4 percent of his passes. Additionally, the Bengals have signed quarterback Logan Woodside, a former seventh-round pick who spent last year with the Atlanta Falcons.
The Cincinnati Bengals are looking to bounce back from a disappointing season in 2022. The team has made some key roster moves, including placing the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins and trading running back Samaje Perine. The Bengals also have a number of draft picks in the upcoming NFL Draft, including the 18th overall pick. The team could use these picks to address needs at offensive tackle, wide receiver, and running back.
Oregon State star offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga is expected to be selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Several mock drafts have him going to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals, or Los Angeles Chargers, with the latter being a potential landing spot due to their need for offensive line improvement and head coach Jim Harbaugh’s focus on building from the line.