The Cincinnati Bengals have become a dominant force in the AFC in recent years, reaching back-to-back AFC Championship Games against the Kansas City Chiefs, with each team claiming one victory.
With quarterback Joe Burrow still under his rookie contract, including a looming fifth-year option, the Bengals are in a prime position to make aggressive moves to improve their roster. Utilizing a quarterback on a rookie deal gives the team a financial edge, and Cincinnati must capitalize on this advantage.
However, the financial landscape will soon change for the Bengals. Wide receiver Tee Higgins will be up for a contract extension next offseason, followed by decisions about Burrow and fellow receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Keeping all of these key players will be difficult, as seen this past offseason when starting safeties Jessie Bates III and Vonn Bell left in free agency.
One player reportedly on Cincinnati’s radar is Derrick Henry, the Tennessee Titans’ star running back, who is in the final year of his contract. With the Titans on the verge of a rebuild, and possibly moving on from quarterback Ryan Tannehill, Henry could be a trade target for the Bengals.
A potential trade could see the Bengals offer their 2024 second-round pick and 2025 third-round pick in exchange for Henry and a 2025 sixth-round pick. This deal would provide the Titans with a valuable draft pick while saving them about $6.3 million in salary cap space. For the Bengals, adding Henry would significantly improve their running game, offering an upgrade over Joe Mixon, and making their offense even more dangerous by opening up opportunities in the passing game.
The Bengals need to maximize their roster while Burrow is still on his rookie deal, and a player like Henry could take their offense to the next level, positioning them as a top contender in the NFL.
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