:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59022377/889566096.jpg.0.jpg)
Bengals should still draft an offensive lineman in first round
The Cincinnati Bengals made a trade with the Buffalo Bills for left tackle Cordy Glenn on Monday afternoon. When the news broke of the trade, many fans were surprised by the move. Cincinnati has been a team unwilling to make big trades or signings from outside of the organization. Fans seem to be excited about the trade which is the first step to improving an awful offensive line from 2017.
NFL free agency 2018: Signing AJ McCarron is probably not a good idea
AJ McCarron’s path to unrestricted free agency was far from conventional, but it will likely be a venture for the quarterback that ends up with a chance to compete for a starting role. The Cincinnati Bengals backup was nearly traded in October, until the Cleveland Browns botched (possibly on purpose) the deal at the last minute. Then, less than a month from his trip into restricted free agency, McCarron won a grievance in February making him an unrestricted free agent.
Bengals trade for LT Cordy Glenn shows they're open to change
The Cincinnati Bengals may never be the team that shocks the league with a major signing or significant change in how they operate. However, this offseason has shown they’re willing to bend a little. The Bengals' trade for Bills left tackle Cordy Glenn is one of the most high-profile moves they’ve made in that area since they sent Carson Palmer to the Raiders for draft picks in 2011. For a team that stays fairly quiet on the trade market outside of the draft, that’s significant.
Bengals could free up significant cap space by parting ways with vets
The Bengals informed Adam Jones they weren't picking up his option, which will free about about $6 million in cap space, but with the addition of Chris Baker and the trade for Cordy Glenn, the Bengals, who figured they had about $14.5 million to spend on the market, are already limited in what they can do. They crossed off their first priority with the trade for Glenn. If they want to make more moves, they could free up almost $9 million by parting ways with Michael Johnson and Brandon LaFell.
Report: Browns sign Bengals UFA not named McCarron
With new left tackle Cordy Glenn counting $11.25 million against this year’s salary cap out of the estimated $15 million they had reserved for free agency, it’s believed the Bengals have narrowed their focus when it comes to keeping their own free agents. Pre-Glenn it had been a formidable list. But expect more reports like the one The Cincinnati Enquirer delivered Tuesday. The Browns raided the Bengals for defensive lineman Chris Smith after the Bengals couldn’t touch what has been reported as a three-year deal for $4.6 million annually. With Glenn taking up cap space and line space, it also doesn’t look like there is room for right tackle Andre Smith. It’s unclear where it leaves long-time Bengals cornerback Adam Jones and punter Kevin Huber.
TDBH: Andre Smith makes rare first-round return
What happens today has never happened in Bengals’ history when Vikings right tackle Andre Smith signs a one-year deal. Smith becomes the club’s first former No. 1 pick to play for another team and return for a second stint in Cincinnati. First-round wide receiver Tim McGee does it in 1994 and first-round safety Darryl Williams does it in 2000, but they are the second players the Bengals take in the top round. Smith is the sixth player taken in the 2009 draft and with the Bengals offensive line grappling with the loss of left tackle Andrew Whitworth and right guard Kevin Zeitler, Smith offers a nice veteran ballast that conjures up the good old days that now suddenly seem so far away.
Athletic gifting
Cordy Glenn Sr., who once covered Moses Malone when Dominique Wilkins didn’t want to during an all-star game in Atlanta’s high powered pro-am basketball league, gave himself the biggest assignment of all. After he first gifted his athleticism to the big kid. When it came to raising Cordy Glenn Jr., who on Wednesday officially becomes the newest Bengal, he admits he pushed him. Hard enough that the old Ragin’ Cajun chose not to let his son play basketball his sophomore year at Atlanta’s Riverdale High School after a bad report card. Well enough that Senior can remember spanking him maybe only once or twice.
Athletic gifting
Cordy Glenn Sr., who once covered Moses Malone when Dominique Wilkins didn’t want to during an all-star game in Atlanta’s high powered pro-am basketball league, gave himself the biggest assignment of all. After he first gifted his athleticism to the big kid. When it came to raising Cordy Glenn Jr., who on Wednesday officially becomes the newest Bengal, he admits he pushed him. Hard enough that the old Ragin’ Cajun chose not to let his son play basketball his sophomore year at Atlanta’s Riverdale High School after a bad report card. Well enough that Senior can remember spanking him maybe only once or twice.
AFC North Bytes
Report: John Brown, Ravens Agree to Contract After 4 Seasons with Cardinals
The Baltimore Ravens and free-agent wide receiver John Brown have agreed to a contract, ending his tenure with the Arizona Cardinals after four seasons, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday. Sirius XM's Adam Caplan reported it's a one-year deal worth $5 million, with an additional $1.5 million in incentives which would raise the value to $6.5 million.
Report: Chris Hubbard Agrees to 5-Year, $37.5M Contract with Browns
Offensive tackle Chris Hubbard is reportedly staying put in the AFC North. However, it won't be with the Pittsburgh Steelers. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Hubbard and the Cleveland Browns agreed to terms Tuesday on a five-year, $37.5 million deal that includes close to $18 million guaranteed.
Random Bytes
Stock Up, Down Around the NFL After Early Free Agent Activity
The NFL free-agent tampering period has the league buzzing with new deals that must wait until 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday to become official. The first wave of free agency is often the most influential, as that's when the biggest money tends to fly around. An unexpected trade or a flood of second-wave signings can swing the momentum in the opposite direction, though. All of these moves will also affect how the 2018 NFL draft plays out at the end of April.
Report: Dion Lewis, Titans Agree to 4-Year Contract After 3 Years with Patriots
Dion Lewis cashed in after enjoying a career year with the New England Patriots in 2017, agreeing to terms Tuesday on a four-year deal with the Tennessee Titans, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported the contract was worth $20 million, with an additional $3 million in incentives.
NFL Free Agency 2018: Winners, Losers and Ripple Effects of Wild Tuesday Moves
NFL free agency doesn't truly arrive until Wednesday, but Tuesday was bonkers anyway. On the first complete day of the legal-tampering period, the top five quarterbacks slated to hit the market reportedly agreed to deals, the most intriguing impending free-agent offensive lineman unofficially became the highest-paid guard in league history and a pair of top-notch 24-year-old receivers got paid.