Tag: bengals

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91), left, and Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) celebrate a sack in the second quarter during a Week 16 NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.

Good things in threes? Trey Hendrickson, Bengals talking contract

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals are negotiating toward a contract extension after the two sides previously agreed to look for a trade partner for the 2024 NFL sacks leader.

According to The Athletic, the Bengals are attempting to keep Hendrickson long-term while working through salary-cap hurdles.

The news comes one day after multiple reports the team agreed to sign wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to massive contract extensions.

Chase, who was entering the final year of his most recent deal, is reportedly lined up for a four-year, $161 million contract that includes $112 million guaranteed.

The annual average salary of $40.25 million sets the league record for most lucrative for a non-quarterback.

Higgins reportedly agreed to a four-year, $115 million contract with the first two years guaranteed. The Bengals had used the franchise tag on Higgins for the second consecutive year to block him from reaching unrestricted free agency for the 2025 season. The one-year salary for franchise-tagged wide receivers is $26.2 million.

The Bengals and Higgins had a deadline of July 15 to come to terms on a long-term contract agreement. Higgins said he wanted to stay with Cincinnati. His trade value set under the terms of the CBA on franchise tags would be two first-round draft picks, if the team could have found a suitor for their No. 2 receiver.

The franchise was trying to figure out how to compensate two players at the same position as well as the entire team under the salary cap. The Bengals negotiated last preseason with Chase, who held out part of training camp before deciding to play without a new deal.

Hendrickson, 30, led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last season. He has one year remaining on a contract extension he signed in 2023 with a base salaary of $15.8 million for 2025.

The market for defensive players has climbed quickly.

Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby signed a record three-year, $106.5 million contract extension with Las Vegas in the latest signal of where the market could be headed for premium pass rushers. Crosby, 27, has 22 total sacks the past two seasons.

Then Cleveland Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett topped that with a reported four-year, $160 million extension that includes $123.5 million guaranteed.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, personnel boss Duke Tobin said Cincinnati was angling to keep Hendrickson, who was named first-team All-Pro last season and has a league-high 35 sacks since the start of the 2023 season. In four seasons with the Bengals, Hendrickson recorded 57 sacks and 11 forced fumbles.

Chase, who turned 25 on March 1, led the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and touchdown receptions (17) as well as yards per game (100.5) in 17 games (16 starts).

The Bengals selected Chase with the fifth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft out of LSU, where he was a teammate of his quarterback in Cincinnati, two-time Pro Bowl selection Joe Burrow.

For his career, Chase has 395 catches for 5,425 yards and 46 touchdowns in 62 regular-season games (61 starts). He also has 45 receptions for 588 yards and three TDs in seven playoff games (all starts).

He has been selected to the Pro Bowl in all four seasons, and was first-team All-Pro in 2024. Chase was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021.

Higgins, 26, played in 12 games (nine starts) in 2024 and caught 10 TD passes with 73 receptions for 911 yards. He has 34 career touchdowns, 330 catches and 4,595 yards in 70 regular-season games (62 starts) since being selected in the second round of the 2020 draft.

The Bengals used the No. 1 pick in the same draft to select Burrow, who has said he would be disappointed if Higgins doesn’t return.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Tee Higgins (5) and Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrate a touchdown during a game on Nov. 17, 2024.

Reports: Bengals signing WRs Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins to 4-year deals

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cincinnati Bengals are keeping star wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins after the pair agreed to contract extensions, according to multiple reports on Sunday night.

The receivers told Fox Sports, with figures confirmed by an NFL Network report, details of the new pacts. Chase, who was entering the final year of his most recent deal, agreed to a four-year, $161 million contract that includes $112 million guaranteed.

The annual average salary of $40.25 million sets the league record for most lucrative for a non-quarterback.

Higgins has agreed to a four-year, $115 million contract with the first two years guaranteed. The Bengals had used the franchise tag on Higgins for the second consecutive year to block him from reaching unrestricted free agency for the 2025 season. The one-year salary for franchise-tagged wide receivers is $26.2 million.

The Bengals and Higgins had a deadline of July 15 to come to terms on a long-term contract agreement. Higgins said he wanted to stay with Cincinnati. His trade value set under the terms of the CBA on franchise tags would be two first-round draft picks, if the team could have found a suitor for their No. 2 receiver.

The franchise was trying to figure out how to compensate two players at the same position as well as the entire team under the salary cap. The Bengals negotiated last preseason with Chase, who held out part of training camp before deciding to play without a new deal.

Chase, who turned 25 on March 1, led the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and touchdown receptions (17) as well as yards per game (100.5) in 17 games (16 starts).

The Bengals selected Chase with the fifth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft out of LSU, where he was a teammate of his quarterback in Cincinnati, two-time Pro Bowl selection Joe Burrow.

For his career, Chase has 395 catches for 5,425 yards and 46 touchdowns in 62 regular-season games (61 starts). He also has 45 receptions for 588 yards and three TDs in seven playoff games (all starts).

He has been selected to the Pro Bowl in all four seasons, and was first-team All-Pro in 2024. Chase was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021.

Higgins, 26, played in 12 games (nine starts) in 2024 and caught 10 TD passes with 73 receptions for 911 yards. He has 34 career touchdowns, 330 catches and 4,595 yards in 70 regular-season games (62 starts) since being selected in the second round of the 2020 draft.

The Bengals used the No. 1 pick in the same draft to select Burrow, who has said he would be disappointed if Higgins doesn’t return.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras (64) calls out the defense in the second quarter of the NFL Week 2 game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. The Bengals led 16-10 at halftime.

Bengals’ Ted Karras added to NFLPA executive committee

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Ted Karras is joining the executive committee of the NFL Players Association’s board of player representatives as vice president.

He will begin his two-year term immediately and fill the spot left vacant with the departure of Michael Thomas from the committee.

“I’ve been involved with the NFLPA for a long time and have seen the great work that guys like Michael Thomas and Austin Ekeler have done,” Karras said. “My biggest thing will be educating and informing our player population on not only what the union does, but the benefits and programming that have been created for players. I’m excited to get to work and help lead this union.”

Current members of the executive committee are Jalen Reeves-Maybin (president), Thomas Hennessy (treasurer), Ekeler, Oren Burks, Calais Campbell, Cameron Heyward, Case Keenum, Ryan Kelly, Brandon McManus and Thomas Morstead, who were elected to two-year terms in 2024.

Karras, who turned 32 on Saturday, is entering his 10th NFL season.

–Field Level Media

Dec 28, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (88) attempts to catch a pass against the Denver Broncos in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Reports: Cincinnati re-signing TE Mike Gesicki to 3-year deal

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The Cincinnati Bengals are re-signing tight end Mike Gesicki to a three-year, $25.5 million contract, multiple outlets reported Saturday.

In his first season in Cincinnati in 2024, he caught 65 passes for 665 yards and two touchdowns — the most receptions by a Cincinnati tight end since Dan Ross caught 71 passes in 1981.

Gesicki, 29, played last season on a one-year, $2.5 million deal.

The Penn State alum was a second-round draft pick by the Dolphins in 2018 and spent his first five seasons in Miami, then played with the New England Patriots in 2023.

In 115 career games (44 starts), Gesicki has 325 catches for 3,526 yards with 22 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91), left, and Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) celebrate a sack in the second quarter during a Week 16 NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati.

Bengals grant DE Trey Hendrickson permission to seek trade

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Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson received permission to seek a trade one year after the Cincinnati front office shot down the same request.

Hendrickson, 30, led the NFL with 17.5 sacks in 2024 and has one year remaining on a contract extension he signed in 2023 with a base salaary of $15.8 million for 2025.

As part of a trade, Hendrickson is expected to sign a new contract given the lack of negotiations helped spark his latest demand.

Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby signed a record three-year, $106.5 million contract extension with Las Vegas announced on Wednesday in the latest signal of where the market could be headed for premium pass rushers. Crosby, 27, has 22 total sacks the past two seasons.

Cincinnati was angling to keep Hendrickson, personnel boss Duke Tobin said last week, who was named first-team All-Pro last season and has a league-high 35 sacks since the start of the 2023 season. In four seasons with the Bengals, Hendrickson recorded 57 sacks and 11 forced fumbles.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to represent Cincinnati over the last four years,” Hendrickson said in a statement on Thursday to ESPN. “I love this city and organization. I appreciate the privilege of now being allowed to explore my options.”

Hendrickson had 61 quarterback hurries in the past two seasons and recorded 13-plus sacks in four of the past five seasons.

If the Bengals trade Hendrickson, they will need to replace their starting defensive ends from last season. Sam Hubbard, 29, retired earlier this week.

Multiple teams have been connected to Hendrickson rumors because of existing connections. The Chicago Bears, who employ former Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, are in the market for a pass rusher. Hendrickson spent the first four years of his career with the Saints. He could also be a target of the Indianapolis Colts, who hired Lou Anarumo as defensive coordinator. Anarumo was Bengals defensive coordinator the past four seasons.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) takes the field for the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025.

Reports: Teams call Bengals to talk Tee Higgins trade

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Multiple teams inquired about the availability of franchise-tagged Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, but Cincinnati’s appetite for parting with the No. 2 receiver remains unclear, according to reports.

Given the franchise tag for the second year in a row, Higgins would lock in a one-year salary worth $26.2 million if he signs the tender offer from the Bengals.

Cincinnati’s public position has been Higgins is not unavailable. The Bengals also have a number of other contract situations to address.

The Bengals and Higgins have until July 15 to come to terms on a long-term contract agreement. The trade value set under the terms of the CBA on franchise tags would be two first-round draft picks.

Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said last month at the NFL Scouting Combine the team’s preference is to keep Higgins.

But negotiations could be tricky with defensive end Trey Hendrickson and All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase in line for new contracts.

Chase is entering the final year of his contract and not expected to play next season without a new deal in place. The strategy was employed by Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk last summer. In each case, the team balked to end the standoff and both players emerged with near top-of-market long-term deals.

Higgins, 26, played in 12 games (nine starts) in 2024 and caught 10 TD passes with 73 receptions for 911 yards. He has 34 career touchdowns, 330 catches and 4,595 yards in 70 regular-season games (62 starts) since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Bengals used the No. 1 pick in the same draft to select quarterback Joe Burrow, who said he would be disappointed if Higgins doesn’t return.

Hendrickson, 30, led the NFL in sacks with 17.5 in 2024, the same number he reached in 2023 after agreeing to a contract extension through 2025.

–Field Level Media

Dec 9, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) stands on the field before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Bengals DE Sam Hubbard, 29, retires

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Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday after seven seasons with the team.

Hubbard, 29, was voted a team captain in each of his final four seasons with the Bengals. He was the longest-tenured player on the team’s roster.

The Cincinnati native recorded 41 tackles and two sacks in 14 games (all starts) in 2024 before sustaining a season-ending PCL injury in a game against the Tennessee Titans. Prior to that, Hubbard had a 2-yard touchdown catch in the Bengals’ 37-27 victory over the Titans.

“I want to send a sincere thank you to my teammates, coaches, trainers, support staff, Bengals ownership, and the NFL for everything you all have done for me,” Hubbard said on social media. “I could not have done any of this alone. To the fans — Who Dey Nation — I thank you the most; you inspired me. From the years of struggle and adversity to Super Bowl LVI, you never stopped believing. I hope I made you proud.”

Hubbard had 398 tackles, 38.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries in 104 career games (88 starts) since he was selected by Cincinnati in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Hubbard also was a two-time nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award. The award recognizes a league player for their work off the field, as well as excellence on the field.

“Sam always has been and always will be a wonderful part of the Bengals organization and the entire Cincinnati community,” Bengals president Mike Brown said in a statement. “Growing up here, he was a top youth athlete on local gridirons and lacrosse fields before becoming a standout football player at Ohio State. We were fortunate to draft him in 2018, and we immediately knew that we added an outstanding player and an even better person to our team.

“Sam epitomizes what you want in a player — he’s a great teammate, a talented athlete and a passionate community member. He helped us win a lot of football games, and he had a number of very memorable plays over the years. His 98-yard fumble recovery return in the wild card win over Baltimore is one of the most iconic touchdowns in team history. It has been my honor to watch him play his entire NFL career for his hometown team. We thank him for the memories he created as ‘Cincinnati’s Own.’”

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) takes the field for the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025.

Only two players receive franchise tag, lowest since ‘94

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The 4 p.m. ET deadline came and went Tuesday with only two NFL players receiving the franchise tag: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins and Kansas City Chiefs right guard Trey Smith.

The most notable candidate not to be tagged: Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, who instead will test the open market while the team reportedly works on an offer to bring him back.

Per ESPN, this marked the fewest players on the franchise tag since 1994, when only two got the tag. It’s sharply down from last year’s total of eight players tagged around the league.

Higgins was tagged for the second straight year at $26.2 million, and he and the Bengals will work on a long-term contract between now and the July 15 deadline. Smith was tendered at $23.4 million.

Higgins, 26, played in 12 games in 2024 and caught 10 TD passes with 73 receptions for 911 yards. He has 34 career touchdowns, 330 catches and 4,595 yards in 70 regular-season games since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Smith, 25, was a Pro Bowl selection at right guard in 2024 and has started 80 games — 13 in the playoffs — since being selected in the sixth round in 2021.

Darnold, 27, landed in Minnesota last winter on a one-year free agent deal, projected as the Vikings’ interim quarterback, particularly after the team subsequently used a first-round pick on QB J.J. McCarthy.

Darnold won the quarterback job in training camp, during which McCarthy sustained a season-ending right knee injury. In the regular season, Darnold proved to be a revelation, leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record while completing 66.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, all career highs. He was intercepted 12 times.

The surprise season earned Darnold a Pro Bowl selection, and he wound up 10th in MVP voting.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) takes the field for the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025.

Bengals tag WR Tee Higgins again

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Wide receiver Tee Higgins was tagged on Monday by the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of Tuesday’s deadline to use the franchise tag.

Higgins, who played last season on a one-year franchise tender, again was blocked from reaching unrestricted free agency when the Bengals used the franchise marker to keep him in Cincinnati for the 2025 season. The one-year salary for franchise-tagged wide receivers is $26.2 million.

The Bengals and Higgins have until July 15 to come to terms on a long-term contract agreement. But there are other considerations that could prevent the two sides from reaching a deal before next season.

All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is entering the final year of his contract and not expected to play next season without a new deal in place. The strategy was employed by Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk last summer. In each case, the team balked to end the standoff and both players emerged with near top-of-market long-term deals.

Higgins, 26, played in 12 games in 2024 and caught 10 TD passes with 73 receptions for 911 yards. He has 34 career touchdowns, 330 catches and 4,595 yards in 70 regular-season games since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Bengals used the No. 1 pick in the same draft to select quarterback Joe Burrow, who said he would be disappointed if Higgins doesn’t return.

“It’s not even just his production, it’s his presence. It’s how he comes to work every day,” Burrow said in January. “He plays such a big part in what we do here and has for five years now that I don’t think you can quite put a value on that, I would say.”

In December, Higgins hired Rocky Arceneaux and Caitlin Aoki of Alliance Sports Management — they also represent Chase — as his new agents. He said at the end of the regular season he wasn’t looking to be a No. 1 option on another team and hoped to stay with the Bengals.

Lamb has the highest salary cap number in 2025 other than Jets wide receiver Davante Adams, who is expected to be traded or released in the next 10 days.

Lamb has a cap figure of $35.4 million.

Chase carries a cap figure of $21.8 million on the fifth-year option in his rookie contract.

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals punter Ryan Rehkow (8) during warmups before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Bengals sign P Ryan Rehkow to 2-year extension

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The Cincinnati Bengals signed punter Ryan Rehkow to a two-year contract extension that spans through the 2026 season.

The agreement — but not the financial terms — was announced Tuesday by the Bengals, who are looking to sign wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins as well as star defensive end Trey Hendrickson to long-term deals.

Rehkow, 26, is coming off a rookie season in which he set single-season franchise records in gross punting average (49.1 yards) and net average (42.9). He played in all 17 games and was set to be an exclusive rights free agent this offseason.

Rehkow set an NFL single-game record in his debut on Sept. 8 with 64.5 yards per punt (minimum four attempts) and a team record for longest punt (80 yards).

–Field Level Media