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Who are these Cincinnati Bengals?
We all know the Bengals as a franchise that never makes a splash by acquiring big-name players from other NFL teams.
Yet, in the span of a week, we’ve seen the Bengals trade for one of the better left tackles in the game in Cordy Glenn. Then the Bengals landed stud linebacker Preston Brown on a one-year deal. The combination of these moves gives the team upgrades at their two biggest areas of need this offseason.
Ironically, both Glenn and Brown have spent their entire careers in Buffalo to this point, but they’re now making their way to the Queen City.
Brown comes to Cincinnati after a standout four-year career with the Bills. This past season, Brown recorded 144 tackles, the most of any NFL defender in 2017.
Speaking of, Brown now joins former tackle champion Vontaze Burfict, who led the NFL in tackles in 2013. There’s really no question the duo of Brown and Burfict has the potential to be the best Cincinnati has had in the Marvin Lewis era, and maybe one of the best in franchise history.
That said, it’s only a one-year deal for Brown, which is kind of disappointing for both Brown and the Bengals. This is a major acquisition, but you’d like to see the two sides work out a multi-year contract.
According to Mike Rodak it’s a $4 million deal with a $2 million signing bonus. There’s also a Pro Bowl incentive of $250,000.
Former Bills LB Preston Brown's one-year deal with the Bengals is worth $4 million with a $2 million signing bonus. He gets a $1 million base salary and a $1 million workout bonus. Also has a $250,000 incentive for the Pro Bowl. https://t.co/HBOXu23X15
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) March 19, 2018
Hopefully, this doesn’t turn into a situation where Brown is allowed to leave next offseason. Then there’s the fact that this move will eat up some cap space that was projected to be carried over to 2019 to help re-signing Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap and possibly Darqeuze Dennard.
Still, the Bengals needed a starting-caliber linebacker to add to the roster and they went out and got Brown, a Cincinnati native who called it “crazy” to being playing for his hometown team.
Just texted with Preston Brown. Called it “Crazy.”
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) March 16, 2018
The @NorthwestAD product will be a #Bengals linebacker this season. @FOX19
All said, was this a good move for the Bengals?
Poll
Did the Bengals make the right choice signing Preston Brown to a 1-year deal?
This poll is closed
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50%
Yes
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46%
Give me a Stone Cold, Hell Yeah!
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2%
No.
Hint: Yes