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Cincinnati Bengals 2021 free agency and NFL Draft preview
The Cincinnati Bengals are a clear underdog in a competitive AFC North, but they do provide several sources of optimism heading into next season — none bigger than Joe Burrow. Cincinnati will look to beef up one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL and continue to add to a defense that was a priority last offseason.
Building Around Joe Burrow: An Offseason Plan for the Cincinnati Bengals
Free agency is one month away. Team can begin to reach out to players on March 15. Those players can sign when the 2021 league year officially begins on March 17 at 4 p.m. ET.
Bengals WR A.J. Green projected to sign with Ravens in free agency
The Cincinnati Bengals and franchise great A.J. Green seem destined for a split this offseason. Green just played in a full 16 games for the first time since 2017, yet finished third on the team in receiving behind Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.
Carl Lawson could see tenfold increase in pay in NFL free agency
Lawson has completed his rookie contract, signed after the Bengals selected him from Auburn in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Bengals one key move to become contenders
The one move the Bengals have to make during the 2021 offseason to become a contender is on the offensive line. The 2021 offseason is critical to acquire talent upfront to protect franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. Expect Cincinnati to add OL help in free agency and through the 2021 NFL Draft.
Pro Football Focus Has Bengals Signing Pro Bowl Edge Rusher in Free Agency
Pro Football Focus expects them to re-sign key pieces like William Jackson III and Carl Lawson. They also believe the Bengals will add former Pro Bowler Justin Houston to a defensive line that has struggled to get to opposing quarterbacks in recent years.
Around the league
Ndamukong Suh 'not ready to hang them up yet,' wants to remain in Tampa with Tom Brady
"My goal is to come back and have an opportunity to go win another championship," Suh told Albert Breer of the MMQB recently. "Me and Tom [Brady] spoke the other day about that opportunity, as well as with Jason Licht. I don't know if you saw our parade celebration on that podium, Coach B.A. [Bruce Arians] said I'm not going anywhere. And he's usually a man of his word. So I look forward to the opportunity to continue to play, especially for Tampa. And I honestly believe I have a lot of elite, great talent left in me to play. I'm not ready to hang them up yet. And my wife has given me the O.K.-that's first and foremost, I got that permission."
Cards WRs coach: DeAndre Hopkins 'probably the only one in the league I can compare to' Megatron
New Arizona Cardinals wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson spent most of the early portion of his coaching career with an up-close, personal view of Calvin Johnson, seeing first-hand how the Hall of Fame wideout was different.
Trevor Lawrence's surgery on non-throwing shoulder 'went great'; QB will be ready for training camp
The Clemson product went under the knife Tuesday to fix the labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that the surgery "went great," according to a source informed of the situation. Doctors expect Lawrence to be 100 percent for training camp, Pelissero added.
Dolphins sign All-Pro kicker Jason Sanders to five-year, $22M extension through 2026
Sanders earned his first All-Pro bid in 2020, making 36 of 39 field-goal attempts, with a long of 56 yards. He was the only every-day kicker not to miss an extra point last season, making all 36 of his PATs. For his career, Sanders is the franchise's all-time career leader in field goal percentage (86.5), converting 77 of 89 attempts.