Bengals News (6/18): Offensive MVP

A.J. Green, Joe Mixon, Joe Burrow and Jonah Williams: could one of them be the Bengals offensive MVP in 2020?
Let's pause and remember just how good Green is. The last time we saw him finish a game, he made two catches of 34 yards in the final 34 seconds, the last being one of his vintage diving, scrambling, utterly necessary 11-yarders that set up Randy Bullock's last-snap field goal that beat Tampa Bay on Oct. 28, 2018.

Juneteenth now a paid holiday for Cincinnati Bengals
"Juneteenth not only marks the end of slavery in the United States, but it also symbolizes freedom – a freedom that was delayed, and brutally resisted; and though decades of progress followed, a freedom for which we must continue to fight," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a memo to the league obtained by The Enquirer.

Bengals players who are unrestricted free agents after 2020 and whether they should be re-signed
Given the nature of the rebuild, 2021 will be a critical year for Zac Taylor’s roster construction too. While we can’t know the full free-agent class leaguewide yet, we do know who currently slots as unrestricted free agents — so let’s analyze notable players from that group.

Cincinnati Bengals: Catching up with former LB, UGA asst. Odell Thurman
Among the biggest topics were why Thurman felt he should've been the 2005 NFL Rookie of the Year (5 INTs, 5 forced fumbles, 5 tackles for loss, 105 combined tackles, 1 touchdown and 1.5 sacks), challenges he's faced personally and professionally and his work with the University of Georgia.

Bengals Working With Three Coaches In NFL's Minority Fellowship Program
Augustus is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, where he played on the defensive line under head coach Rick Minter. Prior to joining McKendree in 2018, he was the defensive line coach and special teams coordinator at the University of Indianapolis, where he helped lead the Greyhounds to five conference championships and four Division II playoff appearances.

Colin Cowherd continues bashing of Bengals, Joe Burrow
On the heels of a projection from Pro Football Focus that Joe Burrow would have more passing yards and touchdowns than Baker Mayfield in the upcoming season, Colin Cowherd has renewed his criticism of the Cincinnati Bengals. This isn’t anything new, as the host of “The Herd” has made plenty of negative comments about the franchise that calls Paul Brown Stadium home, especially this offseason.

Cincinnati Bengals make Juneteenth a paid holiday
"The effort to advance equality endures," the Bengals said in a statement earlier this month. "Progress is needed and progress requires action. These are not just words. The Bengals have acted on these principles throughout the Club's history and will continue to act on them."

Five Bengals players make ESPN's AFC North All-Decade Team
The Ravens had seven players on the list, including two of the three special teams players (Justin Tucker and Sam Koch). Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs and C.J. Mosely made it on defense, while Ray Rice and Marshal Yanda represented Baltimore on offense.

Around the league

Predicting each AFC team's MVP in 2020: Baker Mayfield's revival?
Below, you'll find my picks for each team in the AFC. Check back Thursday for my NFC predictions. Bonus fun: One of these 32 players will be the NFL MVP in 2020. Nailed it last year ... and I'll do it again!

Anthony Lynn: Colin Kaepernick definitely fits Chargers' system
Chargers coach Anthony Lynn told reporters Wednesday the 32-year-old Kaepernick fits what the Chargers want to do offensively, saying "it would be crazy to not have him on your workout list," but they haven't yet made contact with the free-agent quarterback.

NFL considering expanding practice squads to up to 16 players
The initial plan for the 2020 offseason was to expand practice squads from 10 to 12 players. Now, there is internal talk of rosters being expanded to as many as 16 players to allow for greater roster flexibility in the event of positive COVID-19 tests, NFL Network's Judy Battista and Mike Garafolo reported Wednesday, per sources informed of the situation.

Cardinals' Kyler Murray says he plans to kneel during 2020 season
For many NFL players, the work being done to address the plight of African Americans in the U.S. continues to circle back to the efforts of Colin Kaepernick, who peacefully knelt during the national anthem in protest of social injustice and police brutality in 2016, which prompted national outrage and division. As Kaepernick's name re-enters conversations around the league, most notably in talks of a possible return, the Arizona Cardinals' second-year quarterback expressed his intention to make a statement this upcoming season just as Kaepernick did before him.

Broncos safety Kareem Jackson tests positive for COVID-19
Jackson is the second Broncos player to reveal a positive test for COVID-19. Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller tested positive for the virus in mid-April and then announced April 30 that he had then tested negative for the novel coronavirus.