With the growing discontent among small-market owners regarding the collective bargaining agreement, I wanted to quickly examine the Bengals' short-term future. The offense:
| PLAYER | CONTRACT |
| Carson Palmer | Signed through 2014 |
| Rudi Johnson | Signed through 2009 |
| Jeremi Johnson | Signed through 2011 |
| Chris Perry | Signed through 2009 |
| Chad Johnson | Signed through 2011 |
| T.J. Houshmandzadeh | Signed through 2008 |
| Chris Henry | Signed through 2009 |
| Levi Jones | Signed through 2012 |
| Willie Anderson | Signed through 2011 |
| Bobbie Williams | Signed through 2009 |
| Andrew Whitworth | Signed through 2009 |
| Eric Ghiaciuc | Signed through 2008 |
The Defense:
| PLAYER | CONTRACT |
| Justin Smith | Possible through 2007 - undecided |
| Robert Geathers | Signed through 2012 |
| Sam Adams | Signed through 2008 |
| John Thornton | Signed through 2008 |
| Bryan Robinson | Signed through 2007 |
| Landon Johnson | Unsigned, Restricted Free Agent |
| Odell Thurman | Signed through 2009 |
| David Pollack | Signed through 2009 |
| Rashad Jeanty | Signed through 2007 |
| Ahmad Brooks | Signed through 2009 |
| Madieu Williams | Signed through 2007 |
| Dexter Jackson | Signed through 2009 |
| Deltha O'Neal | Signed through 2008 |
| Johnathan Joseph | Signed through 2010 |
| Keiwan Ratliff | Signed through 2007 |
Contract data from NFLPA