Subscribe to the Sharp Football Email Newsletter to get content like this delivered to your inbox 1-2 times per week:
The Cincinnati Bengals are regarded as one of the most talented rosters in the NFL and currently sit as the sixth favorite to win it all next February according to BetMGM.
With several important pieces already gone and more big contracts coming up, though, it is fair to question how long this core group can stay together.
How will the team fare without their defensive veterans?
Jessie Bates was the first major piece to leave in 2023, heading to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency after playing under the franchise tag for one season.
This offseason, the trend has continued with both Chidobe Awuzie and D.J. Reader leaving the team.
Both players struggled with injuries during their careers in Cincinnati, but their departure remains a huge concern.
Awuzie was a starter in Cincinnati when healthy, and Reader is among the best run stoppers in the league.
Sheldon Rankins is a notable addition to replace Reader, but he likely will not bring the same run stuffing production.
Cincinnati also rebuilt their defense through the NFL draft.
DJ Turner, Dax Hill, and Cam Taylor–Britt were all drafted in recent years to upgrade the team’s secondary.
The team has also invested draft capital in the front seven by drafting Myles Murphy, Joseph Ossai, Zach Carter, and Kris Jenkins since 2021, but they need to get more from that group.
Trey Hendrickson‘s and Sam Hubbard’s contracts will both expire in 2025, and they will be looking to be paid.
How many of these veterans can Cincinnati afford to keep?
Could this be the last season with Tee Higgins?
The Bengals have also had issues retaining their stars on offense.
Joe Mixon was the first to go this offseason after a spectacular seven-year career in Cincinnati.
Tyler Boyd was another lifelong Bengal who departed from the team. He was a cornerstone for Cincinnati for eight seasons.
Now, the Bengals must deal with the future of Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase.
Higgins, a former second round pick out of Clemson, is a vital piece to Cincinnati’s offense.
His partnership with Chase makes the Bengals receiving core among the best in the league.
Higgins received the franchise tag from Cincinnati for the upcoming season but, similar to Bates just two seasons ago, it looks inevitable that he will depart in free agency.
Chase, on the other hand, is likely to sign a long term extension somewhat soon.
He expressed optimism about his contract situation in a recent interview despite missing training camp due to stalled negotiations.
Chase will likely receive a similar contract to CeeDee Lamb, who became the highest paid non-QB in NFL history.
Joe Burrow is also among the highest paid players in the league.
The Bengals have invested draft capital in young receivers like Jermaine Burton, Andrei Iosivas, and Charlie Jones, but they were mostly later round picks.
The odds are against anyone from that group performing at the level that Higgins or Boyd have for the past few years.
Will just Burrow and Chase suffice?
The good news for Bengals fans is that the salary cap can be easily manipulated.
Also notable is that the team has committed to bringing in talented free agents each year during the Burrow era.
Maybe the front office can keep this team in the Super Bowl mix long term, but this season could be the last chance for Cincinnati to grab a ring.
