| News |
|---|
|
Andrei Iosivas Andrei Iosivas Early favorite for No. 3 job?
Fri, Jul 26, 2024, 12:16 PM
Bengals WRs coach Troy Walters recently said Iosivas is "probably No. 3" on the depth chart at the moment, Paul Dehner of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: With Ja'Marr Chase (contract) not practicing and Tee Higgins being eased in after missing the offseason program, a number of players are getting first-team WR reps early in training camp. Iosivas seems to be at the top of that list, including Wednesday when he exclusively worked from the slot. He doesn't fit the typical slot mold at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, but he'll need some level of comfort there in order to win the No. 3 job, even if Tyler Boyd's offseason departure leads to Chase playing inside more often. While Iosivas was limited to 15 catches and 266 snaps last season after the Bengals drafted him in the sixth round, there's no doubt he has sufficient raw physical tools to succeed in the NFL, having run a 4.43 40 at the 2023 Combine. Incoming third-round pick Jermaine Burton has similar speed (4.45 40) and faced SEC competition rather than Iosivas' Ivy League opponents at Princeton, but Burton isn't quite as big (6-foot, 196 pounds) and seems to be further down the depth chart at the start of training camp. Trenton Irwin and Charlie Jones may also be candidates for the No. 3 job. |
|
Mike Gesicki Mike Gesicki Showing chemistry with Burrow
Fri, Jul 26, 2024, 9:50 AM
Gesicki already seems to have good chemistry with QB Joe Burrow, SI's James Rapien reports.
Analysis: It sounds like the tight end is getting a lot of first-team reps early in training camp, which wasn't a sure thing after he had only 244 yards for the Patriots last season and then got only $240,000 guaranteed this spring on his one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Bengals. It's backup money by most standards, yet enough to make Gesicki a starting candidate in a TE room where the other veteran options are Drew Sample and Tanner Hudson. The Bengals also have two rookie draft picks, fourth-rounder Erick All (knee) and sixth-rounder Tanner McLachlan, but Gesicki is shaping up as an early favorite to lead the team's tight ends in targets. |
|
Ja'Marr Chase Ja'Marr Chase Present but not practicing
Thu, Jul 25, 2024, 1:24 PM
Chase (contract) is present on the sideline but not practicing for the second straight day at Bengals camp Thursday, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Analysis: One of the many star wideouts across the league looking for a new contract, Chase is following Brandon Aiyuk's lead and "holding in" at Bengals camp. He's observed workouts from the side each of the first two days of training camp. In addition to Aiyuk and Chase, CeeDee Lamb is another receiver looking for a big extension, except Lamb is away from the team completely and is holding out. Bengals owner Mike Brown recently said Chase's extension could take a while. |
|
Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Fully cleared for contact
Mon, Jul 22, 2024, 10:51 AM
Coach Zac Taylor said Monday that Burrow (wrist) has been cleared for full contact to begin training camp, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Analysis: Burrow has spent the offseason cautiously managing his surgically repaired right wrist, and back in June he declined to put a specific percentage on his rehab process. Even if the Bengals still end up giving Burrow rest days during camp and/or the preseason, he's been cleared for all activities save contact since May, so this represents the last substantial step in his recovery ahead of Week 1. With Burrow at full strength, he and top wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins -- the latter of whom will play on the franchise tag for 2024 -- are well positioned to bounce back and lead what should be one of the league's best passing offenses. Cincinnati added a rookie third-round pick with 4.45 speed in Jermaine Burton during April's draft, plus TE Mike Gesicki in free agency, both of whom could help Burrow better threaten opposing defenses downfield. Burrow's YPA across 10 games in 2023 sat at a career-low 6.3, but he figures to improve on that mark in the 2024 campaign. |
|
Erick All Erick All Put on active/NFI list
Sat, Jul 20, 2024, 12:52 PM
The Bengals placed All (knee) on the active/non-football injury list Saturday.
Analysis: All tore the ACL in his right knee last October, but that didn't prevent Cincinnati from selecting him in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. It's not clear how far along All in his recovery or whether he'll be ready to play by the start of the regular season. However, he can be activated off the NFI list at any point during training camp, at which point he'd be able to practice and play in preseason contests. |
|
Tee Higgins Tee Higgins Won't sign extension
Sun, Jul 14, 2024, 10:45 AM
Higgins and the Bengals will not agree to a contract extension by Monday's deadline, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Higgins signed his franchise tag in mid-June and will play on that tag this year before likely becoming a free agent in the 2025 offseason. Per Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site, it's possible the Bengals could franchise-tag Higgins again or work on a tag-and-trade scenario, though it's likely that this will be his final season as a Bengal. Higgins missed five games last season due to injuries but racked up over 1,000 receiving yards in each of the prior two campaigns. |
|
Tee Higgins Tee Higgins Signs franchise tag
Sat, Jun 15, 2024, 11:01 AM
Higgins signed his franchise tag with the Bengals on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: As a result, the star wideout will report for Cincinnati's training camp poised to make $21.8 million on the one-year tag. Schefter's report also indicates it's unlikely Higgins and the team will come to terms on a long-term deal, making this possibly the 25-year-old's last campaign with the team as the Bengals push for another Super Bowl appearance. The fourth-year wideout struggled with injuries throughout last season and never really got into a rhythm within the offense, especially after quarterback Joe Burrow went down with a season-ending wrist injury in Week 12. With everyone expected to be fully healthy entering the 2024 season, Higgins and the passing unit should be in a position to be electric once again. |
|
Ja'Marr Chase Ja'Marr Chase Only doing walkthroughs
Wed, Jun 12, 2024, 11:14 AM
Chase has been a limited participant in minicamp, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Analysis: It sounds like he's opted for a "hold-in" rather than a holdout, showing up for mandatory minicamp but only participating in walkthroughs and meetings. Chase doesn't want to risk an injury while his agent is negotiating a contract extension, so it'll be interesting to see what approach he takes if nothing is signed before the start of training camp in late July. Tee Higgins, meanwhile, is missing minicamp without accruing fines, as he still hasn't signed his franchise tag and technically isn't under contract. |
|
Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Won't put a number on progress
Wed, Jun 12, 2024, 8:56 AM
Burrow (wrist) said Tuesday that he'll be ready for the start of the season but doesn't want to put a percentage on his rehab progress, Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati reports.
Analysis: Burrow hinted at a more cautious approach than he had with past injuries, noting that he should have "taken more time" after he suffered a calf injury last summer (and then averaged 182 passing yards and 0.5 TDs over the first four weeks of the season). Burrow rebounded in a big way with averages of 296 yards and 2.4 TDs over the next five games, only to suffer a season-ending wrist injury Week 11 at Baltimore. He had surgery Nov. 27 to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist, and by early May he'd been cleared for everything besides contact. Burrow has been lifting weights for more than three months and throwing footballs for more than a month, but it sounds like he won't push too hard this summer, at least not until training camp opens in late July. |
|
Tee Higgins Tee Higgins Not attending minicamp
Tue, Jun 11, 2024, 8:38 AM
Higgins hasn't signed his franchise tag and isn't attending June minicamp, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Higgins would need to sign the tag before practicing and can't be fined while he's technically not under contract. He reportedly asked for a trade in March, but in April he told reporters that he expected to play for the Bengals this season. There's a July 15 deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term contracts. |
|
Ja'Marr Chase Ja'Marr Chase Not holding out
Tue, Jun 11, 2024, 8:30 AM
Chase is present Tuesday for the start of mandatory minicamp, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Chase's presence for the first mandatory practice of the offseason confirms he's not holding out after skipping voluntary OTAs throughout May. The Bengals picked up his fifth-year option in March, keeping Chase under contract through 2025. Tee Higgins, on the other hand, still hasn't signed his franchise tag and thus technically isn't under contract, allowing him to miss minicamp without being fined. Both wide receivers want contract extensions, and Chase's talent may make him the priority even though Higgins can become a free agent sooner. |
|
Tee Higgins Tee Higgins Not at OTAs, as expected
Tue, May 28, 2024, 2:43 PM
Higgins and teammate Ja'Marr Chase are not present at voluntary OTAs on Tuesday, Ben Baby of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Higgins still hasn't signed the franchise tag Cincinnati placed on him back in February, and with Chase also eligible for an extension, both of the Bengals' top wideouts appear to be vying for new deals. Until Higgins signs the franchise tag he won't be eligible to report for organized team activities. He formally requested a trade after having the franchise tag placed on him but has since indicated he anticipates suiting up for the Bengals for the 2024 season, and coach Zac Taylor plainly stated that he's not worried about the absence of either Higgins or Chase at this time. |
|
Ja'Marr Chase Ja'Marr Chase Absent from OTAs
Tue, May 28, 2024, 2:38 PM
Chase and teammate Tee Higgins are not present for voluntary OTAs on Tuesday as they continue to negotiate potential contract extensions, Ben Baby of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Chase hasn't yet participated in voluntary workouts for Cincinnati this offseason, and he's now eligible for a contract extension. The Bengals picked up his fifth-year option. Higgins, meanwhile, has yet to sign his franchise tender after Cincinnati placed the one-year tag on him back in February. Coach Zac Taylor stated that he's not worried about the absence of either wideout, saying "they'll be ready and focused when it's time to come back." For now, though, Joe Burrow (wrist) will be taking reps without either of his top receivers present. |
|
Tee Higgins Tee Higgins Not expected for start of OTAs
Mon, May 20, 2024, 8:45 PM
Higgins is not expected to sign his franchise tender by the end of the week, which will make him ineligible to report in time for the start of organized team activities next week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Higgins formally requested a trade from Cincinnati after the team placed the franchise tag on him prior to free agency. He appeared to have a change of heart in April, as the wideout hinted that he anticipated playing for the Bengals in 2024 at his youth camp, per Ben Baby of ESPN.com. It remains to be seen if that will occur via the franchise tag or the long-term extension the pass catcher has been seeking. As of now, it looks like this conflict will linger into OTAs. |
|
Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Continues to progress
Tue, May 7, 2024, 2:43 PM
Burrow (wrist), who has resumed throwing, indicated Tuesday that he's fully cleared to do everything that doesn't involve contact, Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Analysis: Burrow, who is bouncing back from a procedure to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist, started throwing again in April, noting that at this stage his focus is on mechanics like his footwork and arm path, as well as the "little intricacies of the throwing motion." While it remains to be seen when he'll be cleared for contact, Ben Baby of ESPN relays that the Bengals' franchise signal-caller feels as though he's "in a good spot" in his recovery process, and there's nothing to suggest that Burrow won't be ready to go well ahead of Week 1. |
|
Joe Burrow Joe Burrow Throwing at minicamp
Mon, May 6, 2024, 1:35 PM
Burrow (wrist) was on the field throwing at the Bengals' facility Monday.
Analysis: Burrow's season ended 27 snaps into Week 11 last season, after which he required surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right (throwing) wrist. Earlier in the offseason, he stated that he expected to be fully cleared by mid-May, and it appears he's on track. Burrow should be all systems go well in time for training camp later this summer. His weaponry has gone a bit of an overhaul, with Joe Mixon, Tyler Boyd and Irv Smith jettisoned. Veterans Zack Moss and Mike Gesicki were signed as free agents to go along with returnees Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. |
|
Chase Brown Chase Brown Looks set for No. 2 role
Mon, Apr 29, 2024, 4:01 PM
Brown appears primed to work as the top backup to Zack Moss following the 2024 NFL Draft, Paul Dehner of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The Bengals didn't select a single running back across 10 picks in this year's draft, so even if the team brings in a handful of talented UDFAs, Brown looks like a notable winner for fantasy purposes. He flashed across 12 appearances as a rookie last season, and while Moss' experience with a large workload and on third downs may make him the favorite for the No. 1 role, Brown's short-area burst could make him an effective complementary option. If Brown can put together a solid offseason and push for increased touches, he could be an interesting late-round sleeper in 2024 drafts. |
|
Zack Moss Zack Moss Looks secure as lead back
Mon, Apr 29, 2024, 3:53 PM
Moss retains his position atop the Bengals' backfield depth chart following the 2024 NFL Draft, Paul Dehner of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Moss inked with Cincinnati as a free agent back in March, and though the team will certainly add some UDFAs to the mix, he has to be considered a huge winner for fantasy after the Bengals opted not to spend a single draft pick on the running back position. Coming off a breakout season with the Colts, Moss looks primed for a high-volume role considering his experience between the tackles and on third downs, while Chase Brown could act as a more explosive complement out of the backfield. Both could be intriguing fantasy sleepers in 2024 drafts. |
|
Ja'Marr Chase Ja'Marr Chase Fifth-year option picked up
Wed, Apr 24, 2024, 12:03 PM
The Bengals have elected to pick up Chase's fifth-year contract option.
Analysis: With the expected move, Chase will remain under contract with Cincinnati through the 2025 campaign. This past season, the 2021 first-rounder recorded a career-high 100 catches (on 145 targets) for 1,216 yards and seven TDs in 16 regular-season games. The 24-year-old is thus poised to remain QB Joe Burrow's top pass-catching option for the next couple of years, and in that context Chase remains a top tier fantasy option at the wide receiver position. |
|
Logan Woodside Logan Woodside Back in Cincinnati
Tue, Apr 23, 2024, 2:44 PM
Woodside signed a one-year contract with the Bengals on Tuesday.
Analysis: Woodside was selected by Cincinnati in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft and will return to the team after stops with the Titans and Falcons. The Toledo product has made spot appearances in 13 games over the past four seasons, completing 4 of 7 pass attempts for 34 yards and an interception. |
Connect With Us:
