As the Cincinnati Bengals eagerly await Joe Burrow’s return, they placed the groundwork for a much more complete team around him during free agency. Despite watching some prominent names exit in the NFL offseason, the Bengals brought in a few new faces while retaining several key free agents.
Who have the Bengals signed in free agency?
The Bengals wasted no time with their franchise QB rehabbing a torn ACL, upgrading a bottom-tier defense during free agency.
Trey Hendrickson could be a costly experiment
Out stepped one phenomenal edge rusher, and in came a new one. Or at least the Bengals hope.
Coming in for Carl Lawson is former New Orleans Saints EDGE Trey Hendrickson. Signed to a four-year deal worth $60 million, the Bengals anticipate Hendrickson can repeat his dominant performance of 2020.Â
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Making 15 starts last season, Hendrickson recorded 13.5 sacks which tied with Aaron Donald for second-most in the NFL. He also tallied 25 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, and 25 QB hits. The question is whether this was a flash in the pan or a new star blossoming. Hendrickson was a first-year starter in 2020, and the Bengals believe he was worth the investment.
There is wiggle room built into his contract after the 2021 season, making it virtually a one-year, $15 million trial run. Given what the market will likely become with the new TV deal, signing an elite pass rusher for $15 million AAV may be a steal for the Cincinnati Bengals if Hendrickson produces.
Cincinnati Bengals continued their defensive focus during free agency
Improving the defense was a priority for the Bengals this offseason. They were 30th in pressure rate, 29th in rushing yards allowed, 26th in total yards allowed, 24th in red zone touchdown percentage, and 22nd in both points allowed and takeaways.
One of those additions was former Browns DL Larry Ogunjobi. At 6’3″ and 305 pounds, Ogunjobi is best as a three-technique defensive tackle. He will bring the push up the middle that will free up someone like Hendrickson on the outside.
Signed to a one-year, $6.2 million contract, Ogunjobi registered 47 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 17 pressures in 2020. He won’t turn 27 until June and has played 60 of 64 possible games since the Browns selected him in the 2017 NFL Draft.
The Cincinnati Bengals secondary also saw new talent injected into the depth chart during free agency
The Bengals also brought in two cornerbacks, Mike Hilton and Chidobe Awuzie, in the opening days of free agency.
A former Dallas Cowboy, Awuzie agreed with his new team on a three-year, $21.75 million contract with $9.25 AAV. He has played in 49 games in the last four years, netting 4 interceptions and 213 tackles. Awuzie did miss eight games last year and has only played in all 16 games once in his career. Awuzie totaled 38 tackles, 5 passes defensed, and 1 interception last season.Â
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Hilton’s addition is crucial for two reasons. First and foremost, he is a reliable slot corner who makes an impact in the run game. Secondly, they hurt their division rival Steelers in the process as Pittsburgh did not have the cap space to re-sign him. As a result, Hilton signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on a four-year, $24 million contract with $8.5 million guaranteed. That’s a steal for the Bengals.Â
According to NFL NextGen Stats, since entering the NFL in 2017, Hilton has been sent on more slot blitzes (148) than any other DB, generating 16 pressures and 3.5 sacks. Since Hilton was drafted, only Jamal Adams has more tackles for a loss by a DB (39 to 30). Hilton amassed 51 tackles (8 for loss), 3 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 8 passes defensed in 12 games last season.
The Bengals also signed DB Ricardo Allen to a one-year contract. In 77 career games (all with Atlanta), Allen has racked up 321 tackles, 1 sack, 26 passes defensed, 11 interceptions, and a fumble recovery.
Protecting Burrow was also at the forefront of the Bengals’ free-agency plans
While they still have more work to do, signing OT Riley Reiff goes a long way to keeping Burrow upright. Reiff signed a two-year contract worth $7.5 million with an opt-out clause for the Bengals after this season. He’s started 127 of 135 games in his career, mostly at left tackle. In 2020, Reiff allowed 1 sack and 21 total pressures with the Vikings, the 18th fewest among 59 qualifying tackles.Â
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Reiff will transition to right tackle for the Bengals, keeping 2020 No. 11 overall pick Jonah Williams at left tackle. Reiff’s addition does not take them out of the running for Penei Sewell in the first round in the upcoming NFL Draft, however. If Sewell is still there, expect the Bengals to pull the trigger.
The Cincinnati Bengals took care of some of their own players in free agency
While bringing in new talent was the focus, the Bengals managed to re-sign some of their own free agents.
Brandon Allen was a critical re-signing for the Bengals
Due to the timing and extent of Burrow’s gruesome knee injury, it would be dubious to expect him to be ready for Week 1. Yes, reports have been positive, even citing him ahead of schedule. However, the Bengals are not a team competing in 2021, and there are zero reasons to risk the future of their franchise by having him come back before fully healthy.
Related | NFL Team-by-Team Free-Agency Grades 2021 (So Far)
Brandon Allen took over for the Bengals in 2020 following Burrow’s injury and is already familiar with head coach Zac Taylor’s scheme. In his five starts, Allen completed 90 of his 142 attempts for 925 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. While the Bengals offense slowed to a crawl with him under center, re-signing Allen to a one-year, $1.5 million contract was the correct move.
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Tommy Garrett is a writer for Pro Football Network covering the NFL and fantasy football. You can read more of his work here and follow him at @TommygarrettPFN on Twitter.
