Cincinnati Bengals News

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Tee Higgins  • WR  •  Bengals

Franchise Tag Could Be In Play For Tee Higgins

ESPN's Adam Schefter writes that the Cincinnati Bengals could work to re-sign impending free-agent wide receiver Tee Higgins before he officially becomes a free agent or put the $26 million franchise tag on him, which is lower than what he'd likely receive on the open market. The Bengals could also choose to tag and trade Higgins, but that option would require carrying their cap space past the new league year. Complicating matters is the fact that fellow wideout Ja'Marr Chase is entering the final year of his contract and will be looking to become the highest-paid receiver in NFL history in a deal that could average close to $40 million per year. Cincy has around $46 million in salary cap space, but it remains to be seen if they can pull off retaining both Higgins and Chase. Higgins has 34 touchdowns and two 1,000-yard seasons in five NFL seasons but could become a legitimate WR1 in 2025 if he leaves the Bengals.
15 hours ago   
Joe Burrow  • QB  •  Bengals

Joe Burrow Named Comeback Player Of The Year

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has been named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. This is a well deserved win for Burrow who put together a tremendous 2024 campaign. The 28-year-old threw for 4,918 passing yards with 43 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Burrow was limited to 10 games in 2023, but came back and played like one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Sadly, the Bengals struggled as a team and missed the postseason, but they will look to rebound with Burrow as their leader in 2025.
5 days ago   
Trey Hendrickson  • DE  •  Bengals

Trey Hendrickson Wants A New Contract Or To Be Traded

During an interview on The Pat McAfee Show during Super Bowl week in New Orleans, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson indicated that either a new deal or a trade are the only viable options for him moving forward. Hendrickson is heading into the final year of his deal in 2025 after leading the NFL in sacks (17.5), which earned him an All-Pro selection. This really isn't nothing new, as the 30-year-old star pass-rusher stated his desire for a new contract last year after a failed trade request. He also had 17.5 sacks in 2023. All four of Hendrickson's seasons in Cincy have resulted in Pro Bowl appearances, but he currently ranks 11th in annual salary among edge rushers. The Bengals have said that Hendrickson is a priority this offseason, but they will also be negotiating a bit-time contract extension for receiver Ja'Marr Chase and could be looking to re-sign receiver Tee Higgins as well.
6 days ago   
Joe Burrow  • QB  •  Bengals

Joe Burrow Willing To Restructure His Contract To Retain Core Players

Speaking on Breakfast Ball, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said he believes in the organization and that the Bengals have the salary cap space to retain core players like receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins (impending free agent), defensive end Trey Hendrickson and tight end Mike Gesicki (impending free agent). Burrow added that he's motivated to keep the core of the team together and that he'd be willing to restructure his contract in order to make that happen. Although the Bengals couldn't overcome a dreadful start in 2024 to make the postseason, Burrow led the NFL in pass attempts (652), completions (460), passing yards (4,918), touchdown passes (43) and passing yards per game (289.3) in 17 games. Even without the elite rushing ability of QBs like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, Burrow finished as the QB2 in overall fantasy points and will be a top-five QB in drafts this fall.
6 days ago   
Mitchell Tinsley  • WR  •  Bengals

Bengals Sign Mitchell Tinsley To Futures Deal

The Cincinnati Bengals announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley to a Reserve/Futures deal. Tinsley will not count on the team's active list until after the Super Bowl on Monday, Feb. 10. The 25-year-old went undrafted out of college in 2023 but eventually latched on with the Washington Commanders. He was active for two games with the Commanders in 2023 but wasn't targeted at all. Tinsley spent all of the 2024 campaign on the team's practice squad. He will now head to the AFC and continue his development with the Bengals all offseason up through training camp. If Tinsley sticks around beyond camp, he'll likely open the regular season this fall on Cincy's practice squad. Tinsley played collegiately at Hutchinson Community College, Western Kentucky and Penn State.
7 days ago   
Tee Higgins  • WR  •  Bengals

Tee Higgins Expected To Receive At Least $30 Million Per Year In Free Agency

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that team personnel that he spoke with think Cincinnati Bengals impending free-agent wide receiver Tee Higgins' market is $30 million per year, with most of them thinking he'll hit or clear the over on that mark. The lowest estimate is somewhere slightly above DeVonta Smith's three-year, $75 million deal. Higgins should do very well for himself in free agency because of his status as a No.1-caliber wideout and the fact that plenty of NFL teams are desperate for pass-catching help this offseason. If the Bengals wanted to, they could put the franchise tag on Higgins for less than $30 million in 2025, but the expectation is that they'll either sign him to an extension or let him walk. The 26-year-old has played in only 12 regular-season games in each of the last two years due to injuries, but when healthy, he's been productive. Higgins had a career-high 10 TDs and 911 receiving yards in 2024.
Feb 4   
Ja'Marr Chase  • WR  •  Bengals

Ja'Marr Chase Wants A "Fair" New Deal

On Friday, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase told ESPN's Laura Rutledge that he's hoping to get "what's fair" regarding his new contract. "Hopefully, I don't put too much pressure on anybody, but I just want it to be fair, that's all." As for what's "fair" from the 24-year-old's point of view: "I can't really say everything I want to say. It's what I deserve." Chase is coming off his best season as a pro, and it couldn't come at a better time for his looming contract. The superstar wideout became just the sixth pass-catcher in the Super Bowl era to lead the league in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns -- effectively taking home the Triple Crown. It appears he's insinuating he wants to match or exceed his former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson's contract value, which would make him the highest-paid non-QB in the league. Hopefully, the negotiations don't linger into the summer, as it's the only outcome that could prevent Chase from being a highly-selected fantasy asset in 2025.
Feb 3   
Jermaine Burton  • WR  •  Bengals

Jermaine Burton A Potential Cut Or Trade Candidate?

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton was selected with the No. 80 overall pick (third round) in the 2024 NFL Draft after a strong final season at Alabama. However, the 23-year-old played sparingly in his rookie season and caught just four passes for 107 yards on 14 targets in 14 games. At the Senior Bowl this year, Bengals director of player personnel spoke on Burton's status with the organization. "He's done nothing, and he's going to have to start doing something quickly. We knew we were taking a risk. We felt comfortable that we could help him through some of the challenges he's had in the past, and we're going to continue to try to help him," Tobin said. "But this is professional football, and you have to take accountability, and you have to be accountable to your teammates, your coaches, and the team that you're playing for, and he has to figure that out." Burton notably did not travel with the team for a must-win game against the Pittsburgh Steelers late in the 2024 campaign and seems to be falling out of favor with the coaching staff and front office quickly. The speedster could be at risk of being released or traded before the next regular season.
Jan 30   
Trey Hendrickson  • DE  •  Bengals

Bengals Unsure On Long-Term Deal For Trey Hendrickson

Cincinnati Bengals defense end Trey Hendrickson hoped to sign a contract extension or be traded last offseason, but the two sides did not come to an agreement. After two straight 17.5-sack seasons, his asking price is likely even higher, but the front office might have trouble signing him to a long-term deal. "Has he earned a pay raise and a bump in an extension he has," Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said. "We're cognizant of that, and we will give that to him. But whether we agree on what that looks like is, is what is to be determined." Cincinnati has already signed quarterback Joe Burrow to a hefty long-term deal, and both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are seeking new deals heading into 2025. "We can't have guys at the top of the payroll in every position, right?" Tobin said. "We'll do what we can." It's a tricky situation to navigate for the franchise, but it's unlikely that Hendrickson, Chase, and Higgins will all be signed to deals making them among the highest-paid players at their respective positions.
Jan 30   
Tee Higgins  • WR  •  Bengals

Bengals To Attempt To Re-Sign Tee Higgins?

The top priority for the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason is signing All-Pro wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase to a long-term contract extension that is expected to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history. Despite that, director of player personnel Duke Tobin said the team needs to find the "right number" to re-sign impending free-agent wideout Tee Higgins as well. Most folks have assumed that Higgins will leave in free agency, and even Tobin admitted "it's going to be hard" for the Bengals to bring Higgins back. Plenty of teams are in need of a receiver of Higgins' caliber, so he's likely to receive plenty of lucrative offers that will exceed what the Bengals are able to offer. It will all depend on if the 26-year-old is willing to accept a "hometown" discount to stay with Chase and quarterback Joe Burrow. Leaving Cincy would give Higgins a higher fantasy ceiling, depending on where he ends up.
Jan 30   
Ja'Marr Chase  • WR  •  Bengals

Ja'Marr Chase Extension A Priority For Bengals This Offseason

Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is entering the final year of his rookie deal with the team in 2025 after not being able to agree on a new contract last offseason. This offseason, director of personnel Duke Tobin said a long-term extension for Chase will be "a priority for us." The Bengals should expect Chase's representation to ask for significantly more than what Cincy's final offer was last year after he led the NFL in receiving yards (1,708), receptions (127) and touchdowns (17) to capture the receiving Triple Crown. The 24-year-old will be a finalist for Offensive Player of the Year. When everything is said and done, Chase will be the league's highest-paid non-quarterback in league history. The Vikings' Justin Jefferson reset the WR market with a four-year deal worth $140 million, which Chase will exceed. For good reason, Chase will be the first WR off the board in fantasy drafts in 2025.
Jan 30   
Erick All Jr.  • TE  •  Bengals

Erick All Jr. Expected To Miss All Of 2025 Season

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Erick All Jr. (knee), who tore his right ACL on Nov. 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders, is expected to miss all of the 2025 season due to complications from a previous knee surgery in college, according to team and league sources. All will need two surgeries to fix the issue. The 24-year-old fell to the fourth round of the 2024 draft because of medical concerns. In addition to his knee injury, he suffered a back injury in 2022 while at Michigan that led to "life-changing" spine surgery. All has now ended the last three years with an injury. His second knee surgery should set him up to hit the ground running in 2026, and the Bengals hope All can pick up where he left off in his rookie season when he caught 20 of 22 targets for 158 yards in nine games before tearing his ACL. All's biggest impact came in the running game as a blocker, though.
Jan 28   
Tee Higgins  • WR  •  Bengals

Tee Higgins Has Been Playing Through High-Ankle Sprain

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (ankle) said on Saturday that he has been playing through a left high-ankle sprain and will continue to do so if the Bengals make the playoffs. "I have no choice," Higgins said. The 25-year-old pass-catcher was forced to leave in the second half of Saturday night's win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers with his ankle issue and never returned. The Bengals need both the Broncos and Dolphins to lose on Sunday to get into the postseason, but if it all comes to fruition, Higgins will try to continue playing through his injury. Higgins has 11 catches for 131 yards and three touchdowns in the Week 17 win over the Broncos but only had four catches for 53 yards on Saturday before leaving early. If the Bengals advance, Higgins could carry a questionable tag into wild-card weekend.
Jan 5   
Drew Sample  • TE  •  Bengals

Drew Sample Moderately Involved In Bengals' Win

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Drew Sample caught all four of his targets for 14 yards on Saturday in his team's 19-17 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Though the yardage total wasn't anything to write home about, the veteran tight end tied a season high in catches. More importantly, Cincinnati's offense did just enough to earn a fifth straight victory that kept its playoff hopes alive for another day. Whether Sample and the Bengals get a shot in the Wild Card round will come down to Week 18, when Cincy needs both Denver and Miami to lose.
Jan 5   
Cade York  • K  •  Bengals

Cade York Rebounds In Bengals' Big Win

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Cade York had a perfect night Saturday in Pittsburgh, converting all four field goal attempts and his lone extra point in a 19-17 victory that kept the Bengals' playoff hopes alive. After a brutal miss last week that forced the Bengals into a tense overtime against Denver, there was no such kicker drama in Week 18. The journeyman converted field goals from 48, 27, 35, and 23 yards, the last of which proved to be the game-winner as Cincinnati held on in the fourth quarter. Whether York gets the chance to kick in the postseason will come down to results elsewhere, as the Bengals need Denver and Miami to lose Sunday to make the AFC playoffs.
Jan 5   
Andrei Iosivas  • WR  •  Bengals

Andrei Iosivas Has Two Grabs Versus The Steelers

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas had only two catches for 12 yards in Saturday's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The wideout has had the best year since entering the league, totaling a career-high six touchdowns to end the 2024-25 campaign. However, he still hasn't been consistent by any means. With that in mind, Tee Higgins (ankle) future in Cincinnati is up in the air, so there could be room for Iosivas to win the No. 2 job behind Ja'Marr Chase heading into next season. Yet, the front office may finally come to their senses and do what is necessary to retain Higgins, which wouldn't be good for Iosivas' outlook moving forward.
Jan 5   
Mike Gesicki  • TE  •  Bengals

Mike Gesicki Shows Up Again In Week 18

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki had eight catches for 68 yards in Saturday's victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The veteran hasn't been consistent during the 2024-25 campaign. Yet, after catching 10 passes for 86 yards in the overtime win over the Broncos, he had another potent showing in Week 18. Gesicki signed a one-year deal to join the Bengals during the offseason. It's likely the team will look to bring him back, considering he was starting to build rapport with quarterback Joe Burrow. Either way, Gesicki is worth monitoring in fantasy drafts heading into next season, although he may benefit the most from a statistical standpoint by remaining in Cincinnati.
Jan 5   
Khalil Herbert  • RB  •  Bengals

Khalil Herbert Has A Solid Showing Versus The Steelers

Cincinnati Bengals running back Khalil Herbert got the start for the injured Chase Brown (ankle) in Saturday's crucial win over the Steelers. The 26-year-old, who was acquired by the Bengals in November, had played sparingly since arriving in Cincinnati. However, he did exactly what was needed on Saturday night, running for 69 yards off 20 carries while adding seven catches for 14 yards. The Bengals still have a shot at the postseason. But if Herbert's season is finished, he'll likely draw interest from at least a few teams in free agency. With that said, unless he gets a meaningful role in 2025-26, his fantasy upside will remain capped.
Jan 5   
Ja'Marr Chase  • WR  •  Bengals

Ja'Marr Chase Leads The Way In Week 18

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase caught 10 of his 14 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's win over the Steelers. The former LSU Tiger didn't find the end zone in Week 17 versus the Broncos. However, he showed up in a big way on Saturday to help keep the Bengals' postseason hopes alive. With that said, Chase has had an impressive year, amassing 1,708 yards, 127 grabs, and 17 touchdowns, making him a top-five overall option in fantasy drafts entering the 2025-26 campaign.
Jan 5   
Joe Burrow  • QB  •  Bengals

Joe Burrow Cools Off On Saturday Night

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 277 yards, one touchdown, and one pick off 37-for-46 passing in Saturday's much-needed win over the Steelers. The signal-caller entered Week 18 by tossing at least three touchdowns each of his last eight appearances. While he cooled off on Saturday night, he still did enough to lead the Bengals to another victory while keeping the team's postseason hopes alive. With that in mind, regardless of what happens with Cincinnati concerning the playoffs, Burrow will be a top-five quarterback in all fantasy drafts heading into the 2025-26 campaign.
Jan 5   
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