Brandon LaFell’s job still secure after Bengals drafted 2 wide receivers

In the 1991 masterpiece “What About Bob?,” the legendary Bill Murray plays Bob Wiley, a psychiatric patient with multiple phobias who is so moved by Dr. Leo Marvin (played by BHHS graduate Richard Dreyfuss) that he follows him to his vacation home. There, Dr. Marvin does everything in his power to make Bob feel unwelcome so that he can enjoy time with his family. He pushes Bob in a lake, has him committed, and eventually abandons him in the woods tied to explosives (which he calls “death therapy”). And yet, Bob keeps reappearing in their lives, endearing himself to Dr. Marvin’s family. He does this to the point that he marries his sister, finds a cure, and authors a best-selling book, Death Therapy. Meanwhile Dr. Marvin ends up in a catatonic state after the explosives meant for Bob end up blowing up his own home.

Brandon LaFell is no Bob Wiley. He’s a talented, veteran receiver with Super Bowl experience. But it seems many Bengals fans don’t want him around after the team selected John Ross, Tyler Boyd, Cody Core and Josh Malone in the past two drafts. And yet, not only might LaFell be around, but he could, like Bob, end up stealing the spotlight away from the aforementioned promising youngsters.

To hear where LaFell fits in, watch the following video:

Cutting LaFell would result in $3.3 million of dead money, which is far higher than what Bengals management would ever swallow. But also, despite their bold moves in the draft, we know the Bengals are not comfortable relying on rookies. So don’t be shocked if LaFell (64 receptions, 862 yards, 6 touchdowns) is still the #2 receiver come September. He may not maintain that role for the entirety of the season, but the Bengals love his veteran leadership, and willingness to do whatever it takes to help his team. Cutting LaFell isn’t in the books for the Bengals in 2017. 2018 is another story as the second year of the two-year contract he received this season is optional.

Bengals fans should embrace LaFell’s role on the team and enjoy that he will help the rookies and second year receivers prosper in Cincinnati.