The Cincinnati Bengals lost their biggest free agent Thursday night to the Houston Texans, after a debilitating waiting period that made Bengals fans nervously conclude that Johnathan Joseph was eventually leaving. According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, Joseph signed a five-year deal worth $48.75 million, $23.5 million of it guaranteed, including a $12.5 million signing bonus.

The Bengals are having arguably their worst offseason in memory. Two press conferences with Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis caused a seriously negative reaction from fans reminded of the owner that controls the team. Three players arrested within a week's period that could end up with two players (Cedric Benson and Adam Jones) dealing with possible suspensions that would seriously hurt an already deficient position.

This basically confirmed Len Pasqurelli's report that the Bengals were unlikely to offer Joseph anything more than an $8 million/season salary due to their preference of Leon Hall.

The position is currently hurting. Behind Leon Hall we have questions surrounding Adam Jones' health, legal circumstances and a violation of the Personal Conduct Policy that may require discipline. Morgan Trent (knee) and Brandon Ghee (groin) are coming off season-ending injuries last season.