Latest on Vontaze Burfict, Andy Dalton and A.J. Green extensions

The Cincinnati Bengals are trying to get a long-term deal done for Pro Bowl linebacker Vontaze Burfict. While they hope to have it done soon, it probably won't be happening this weekend, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com:

Speaking of Tez, despite a FOX report that the sides have made progress toward a long-term extension, a Burfict deal didn’t look imminent heading into the weekend. The Bengals have been hammering away for an extension the past couple of weeks and indications late this week were they weren’t near a deal.

But if someone in the negotiations is the source for a story that says the gulf has narrowed, things could change quickly.

Hopefully, the Bengals get a long-term deal done for Burfict done by the start of training camp and a resolution with Andy Dalton not long thereafter, whether that's an extensions or a play-it-out 2014 season.

That will allow them to then focus on getting a deal done for Green.

The Bengals’ blueprint is to wrap up Burfict, quarterback Andy Dalton, and maybe others before tackling the mega deal for A.J. Green.

At this point, it's untelling as to how much all three players are going to make, but the Bengals have enough cap space now and in 2015 to get deals for all three done.

They currently have about $25 million in cap space available this year with 'only' $95 million in contracts committed in 2015, according to Over the Cap.

I say 'only' because the cap figures to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $140 million in '15, leaving the Bengals likely with as much cap space as anyone.

They'll need it to resign Green and Burfict, each of whom would be the best player on a lot of NFL rosters. Green doesn't need a new deal now though with two more years left on his deal after the Bengals exercised his option year.