The free-agency outlook for the Cincinnati Bengals next offseason just got a little more complicated in the wake of the team declining John Ross’ fifth-year option.
Next offseason was a mess for the Bengals well before the decline added Ross’ name to the mix of players potentially slipping to the market.
The top of the list slated for free agency about a year from now reads as follows:
- A.J. Green
- John Ross
- Auden Tate
- Joe Mixon
- William Jackson
- Mackensie Alexander
- Shawn Williams
- Carl Lawson
- Ryan Glasgow
And that’s just to highlight the really big names.
Granted, we think the Bengals should wrap up Ross on an extension quickly. And extension talks with A.J. Green and Joe Mixon are ongoing. With Mixon, the Bengals are ready for a potential holdout this summer.
Complicating matters over the long-term like this is the team’s massive, unexpected spending in free agency this offseason. The cap space update after Andy Dalton’s release is timid right now.
Which isn’t to say the Bengals can’t find a way to keep most of the guys they want. Green and Mixon could end up settling for affordable rates given injury history for the former and positional value for the latter. Mackensie Alexander was on a prove-it deal. Carl Lawson and Ryan Glasgow have had injury issues. Ross might have to settle if he wants a long-term deal. Shawn Williams is starting to see more names added at safety.
If nothing else, it’s just something to think about from a long-term perspective for the team and a factor to keep in mind to help explain the upcoming extension talks (or lack thereof) this summer.
