Bengals settles for a $58.55 million star

With the start of the new league year on March 13 at 4 p.m. ET, free agency will soon be among us.

The Bengals have ample cap space—$48.55 million—to play as active a role as they like.

These three free agents are ones Cincinnati ought to look at.

After leading the Bengals’ defense for the previous four years, defensive tackle D.J. Reader’s contract came to an end at the end of the 2023 campaign. Reader will turn 30 this summer, so Cincinnati may decide to acquire a younger player for the position, even though he has shown he is still among the league’s best run defenders.

According to Spotrac, he is anticipated to sign a $44.75 million, three-year contract ($14.9 million annually). In 2024, though, when a healthy Joe Burrow is back in the starting lineup and prepared to contend for another Super Bowl, he might be open to accepting a hometown discount.

Mike Onwenu, offensive tackle

Jonah Williams, an offensive tackle, was pushed to the right side after left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. was signed in the summer, and it appears quite likely that he will be going somewhere in free agency. He even asked the team for a trade, which he later withdrew.

Since Onwenu will be a free agent with the Patriots’ decision to transition tag safety Kyle Dugger instead, he might be the solution. Despite being a versatile offensive lineman, the 26-year-old’s primary position is right tackle, as seen by his mere three sacks allowed in the previous campaign.

Goalie Hayden Hurst
Looking forward to this reunion next week is a lot of Bengals supporters. After the 2022 season, Hurst signed a three-year contract to play for the Panthers, leaving Cincinnati. On Tuesday, though, Carolina notified the 30-year-old that he will be cut loose at the start of the upcoming league season.

Two seasons ago, Hurst immediately established himself as Burrow’s go-to receiver after recording 52 receptions for 414 yards and two scores. It seems obvious that the Bengals should sign Hurst again on a modest contract because they have a need at tight end.