The Bengals offensive line is one of the NFL's best and highest-paid, but not when it comes to center.
In fact, Cincinnati has the lowest cap hit of all 32 NFL teams in 2015 at the position. Having four players still on their rookie deals at center will do that. Not to mention none of the four centers currently on the roster were selected before Day 3 in their respective drafts.
Here's a salary breakdown in 2015 for the Bengals' centers:
|
POS. |
BASE SALARY |
SIGNING BONUS |
ROSTER BONUS |
DEAD CAP |
CAP HIT |
|
|
Russell Bodine |
C |
$510,000 |
$114,114 |
- |
($342,342) |
$624,114 |
|
T.J. Johnson |
C |
$510,000 |
- |
- |
- |
$510,000 |
|
Chris Jasperse |
C |
$435,000 |
- |
- |
- |
$435,000 |
|
Jake Smith |
C |
$435,000 |
|
|
|
$435,000 |
Russell Bodine may be the starter, but he's on just the second year of his rookie deal after being drafted in the fourth round out of North Carolina last year. He's expected to retain his job with no opposition this year.
As for his backups, T.J. Johnson is entering the third year of his rookie deal after being selected in the seventh round out of South Carolina in 2013. He's spent time at guard as well, but is still listed on the Bengals' official website as a center. Johnson will be an exclusive-rights free agent next year, which means his tender will be around $600,000.
Chris Jasperse and Jake Smith were both signed as undrafted free agents this year. They'll both battle Johnson for the backup guard/center spot with another possibly heading to the practice squad.
For now, the Bengals are on pace to have just the 27th-highest salary allocated to this position in 2016. Bodine will be on Year 3 of his deal with Jasperese and Smith being the only other centers under contract. Johnson could be tendered for a low amount that probably won't keep Cincinnati from once again being among the lowest-spending teams at the center position.