Big decisions looming for the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason will make an impact in years to come.
If free agency wasn't enough, the Bengals are also set to likely give Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow a contract extension that could reset the market for quarterbacks. All of that plays into how the Bengals will head into free agency and what that means for their potential draft decisions this April.
All of that requires planning and attention on many fronts, including the salary cap. The Bengals have the sixth-best salary cap space in the league ($35.7 million) according to Spotrac.
Will the Bengals try and make more room to pave the way for Burrow? What about wide receiver Tee Higgins?
Higgins has one year remaining on his contract but, like Burrow, he too is eligible for an extension along with linebacker Logan Wilson. Mix in the fact that Ja'Marr Chase will likely ask for one when he's eligible in 2024 and that makes for some complex decision-making.
The Bengals could possibly save cap space by restructuring some deals or cutting players to save money, although that's not a dire necessity. Running back Joe Mixon, offensive tackle La'el Collins and other veterans are examples of players who could potentially be salary cap targets in order to expand cap space.
Do the Bengals try and expand their cap space, or do they try to allocate their resources through free agency and draft capital? What does that look like?
The Strictly Stripes crew looks at the Bengals' salary cap numbers and compares and contrasts any decisions that can impact what happens not just this offseason, but next year as well. They also start looking at early areas of need for the Bengals as they are still not even a full week into this fresh offseason.
This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek.
Music: Starfields by Hallman
Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/
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