The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t just going to let key free agents hit the market without a fight.
That includes Jessie Bates and Germaine Pratt, two players who remain big question marks because of projected big markets at a time the team wants to shift more money to the offensive side of the ball.
Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said all of their own guys remain on the table.
“We aren’t going to freeze out options with any of them,” Tobin said. ‘It will be dependent on other deals we are able to get done as the offseason goes on and what the market is for those guys. Can everybody fit in at the top value that they want? No. Maybe some guys don’t get that value and want to come back, we’ll see. You just can’t predict that right now.”
We’ve wondered if Bates’ market might not be as hot as expected, leading to a potential return. A long-shot, especially with teams like the Browns interested, but worth considering.
It’s a similar story for Pratt, whose franchise tag number will be far too expensive. He’s recently commented on his third-down playing time again, so money might not be the top conversation with him, anyway.
Tobin’s comments aren’t unexpected, but it reinforces the idea the team isn’t counting out its own guys this early in the process.
Duke Tobin addresses the media at the #NFLCombine https://t.co/ZGhGFtt0Na
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) February 28, 2023
