With the start of the new league year on March 13 at 4 p.m. ET, free agency will soon be among us.
The Bengals have ample cap space—$48.55 million—to play as active a role as they like.
These three free agents are ones Cincinnati ought to look at.
After leading the Bengals’ defence for the previous four years, defensive tackle D.J. Reader’s contract came to an end at the end of the 2023 campaign. Reader will turn 30 this summer, so Cincinnati may decide to acquire a younger player for the position, even though he has shown he is still among the league’s best run defenders.
He is expected to receive a three-year, $44.75 million contract ($14.9M per year), according to Spotrac. However, he may be willing to take a hometown discount with a healthy Joe Burrow returning to the lineup and ready to compete for another Super Bowl in 2024.
Offensive tackle Mike Onwenu
It seems very likely that offensive tackle Jonah Williams will be headed elsewhere in free agency after being forced to the right side following the signing of left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. last offseason. He even requested a trade from the team but later rescinded it.
Onwenu could be the answer since he will be a free agent after the Patriots decided to transition tag safety Kyle Dugger instead. The 26-year-old is a versatile offensive lineman, but his primary position is right tackle and he proved that by allowing just three sacks last season.
Tight end Hayden Hurst
Many Bengals fans hope for this reunion next week. Hurst left Cincinnati following the 2022 season to join the Panthers on a three-year deal. However, Carolina informed the 30-year-old on Tuesday that he would be released at the beginning of the new league year.
Hurst quickly became Burrow’s security blanket two seasons ago, posting 52 catches for 414 yards and two touchdowns. With a clear need at tight end, bringing back Hurst on a cheap deal feels like a no-brainer for the Bengals.
