In one of the more unlikely developments of this offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals are actually making moves to make their team better. Every year in recent memory, the team would lay dormant during the first few days of free agency only to pick up the leftovers. This year is different.
It all started with the announcement that they signed nose tackle D.J. Reader to a 4 year contract worth $53 million. Reader paired with Geno Atkins will be a sight to see next season, but I wouldn’t blame you if you thought the Bengals would stop there.
Next up, they signed cornerback Trae Waynes to a 3 year, $42 million contract. Waynes should be an upgrade over Dre Kirkpatrick, assuming they part ways. We aren’t finished yet, as they also brought Waynes’ teammate Mackensie Alexander over on a 1 year $4 million contract.
Finishing up their meaningful free agency moves, the Bengals signed offensive guard Xavier Su’a-Filo to a 3 year $10 million contract. He should easily contend and take a starting spot next season.
That is three, maybe four starters signed by the Cincinnati Bengals in early free agency. Keep in mind, they normally sign a washed-up linebacker and call it a day.
The real icing on the cake is this, however, as per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the Cincinnati Bengals made an effort to trade for DeAndre Hopkins. This is the type of move that Bengals fans would never, in a million years, imagine that their team would try to make.
It appears that Zac Taylor and his staff is finally ushering in a new era of activity for the Bengals. This wouldn’t be major news for any other team, but for Bengals fans this is extraordinary.