3 reasons why the Bengals’ massive contracts could jeopardize their Super Bowl hopes

The Cincinnati Bengals are in a bind after paying nearly 44% of their salary cap to three players, Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and still need to fix other areas especially the defense.

3 reasons why the Bengals’ massive contracts could jeopardize their Super Bowl hopes

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor (Image via IMAGO)

The Cincinnati Bengals were arguably the most lopsided team in 2024. The trio of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins went through spells of disappointment despite racking up game-winning numbers because the defense often came up short.

To jog everyone’s memory, the Bengals, during their mid-season critical five-game stretch, allowed an average of 35 points per game while going 1-4, essentially pouring water from the Ohio River on Burrow’s MVP-caliber season.

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On top of it, the Bengals find themselves in a complicated situation regarding player contracts. It’s not exactly a cap space situation, rather a lack of cash issue forcing them to miss out on quality players.

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Bengals will find it difficult to sign free agents now

At the end of the 2024 season, the Bengals had cap space in the neighborhood of $40 million, which general manager Duke Tobin can easily use to make both his two receivers happy. They did so by making Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history with a four-year, $161 million deal with $112M guaranteed. Higgins signed a 4-year, $115M contract with the first two years guaranteed.

Over The Cap has yet to reveal the reworked cap for the Bengals since the two signings were made public. Tying down their stars to long-term contracts lowered the burden from one shoulder but increased it on the other.

Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase
Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase (Image via ESPN)

Burrow occupies the largest share of the Bengals cap after agreeing to a five-year, $275 million deal in 2023. The former first-rounder’s contract impact limited the Bengals to signing players from free agency, but they can trade/re-sign players. Tobin went to work and brought back defensive tackle BJ Hill ($11 million/year), along with edges Joseph Ossai ($7 million) and Cam Sample to the defensive line, along with nose tackle TJ Slaton ($7 million/year).

Will face difficulties in fixing the defense

The Bengals were poor in 2024. As per FOX Sports tracker, they were third from bottom in the red zone (67.9% defense rate), gave up an average of 25.5 points per game, and lost 124.8 yards on average per game on the ground, conceding 20 touchdowns. They were also 23rd in the league for stopping third down chances (42%).

3 reasons why the Bengals’ massive contracts could jeopardize their Super Bowl hopes
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor (Image via IMAGO)

The numbers cost defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo his job, and the Bengals replaced him with former Notre Dame DC Al Golden. Notre Dame played in the CFP final in 2024, increasing Golden’s stock. Golden reportedly will stick with Anarumo’s 4-3 base defense and the 4-2 nickel scheme.

A key member of the D was Mike Hilton, who played in the slot. However, he is more of a linebacker and is a free agent, so basically Golden has to look for someone else. On top of it, he has to quickly find a solution to fill the massive gap left by Sam Hubbard, who announced his retirement.

The free agency had several good players available, but the Bengals had to just sit back and let other teams sign them because they had to pay Chase and Higgins. Raiders’ Malcolm Koonce (re-signed for one year, $12 million) and Detroit’s Levi Onwuzurike (re-signed for one year, $5.5 million) are no longer in the market, but they can still target former Giant Azeez Ojulari.

A question mark looms over Trey Hendrickson’s contract  

If Burrow, Chase, and Higgins were the aces in the offense, Trey Hendrickson was the difference maker in the defense for the Bengals. The veteran defensive end recorded 17.5 sacks in 2024. In fact, no linebacker has more than his 35 in the last 34 games in the NFL.

Hendrickson’s contract is set to end in a couple of months, and the 30-year-old wants to be paid north of $30 million.

Hendrickson does want a new contract well above $30 million per year. The Bengals have tried to sign him, they made him a new contract offer. And I’m even told despite trade talks, they’ve had some reignited discussions with Hendrickson’s people over the last few days.

ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler said

HOF TE Shannon Sharpe doesn’t see Bengals signing Hendrickson.

I don’t see how they pay Trey Hendrickson. He wants north of $30 million. I don’t see how. I’m not saying it can’t be done; I just don’t see how—He wants north of $30 [million]—The question is that you have to ask yourself, ‘Is the opportunity to go to the Super Bowl, potentially winning over the next two years, is that worth potentially being a salary cap hell in 2027-28. Also, this is about 2025-26. This [is] what this is about.

Shannon Sharpe said about Hendrickson on his podcast after Chase and Higgins’ got their new deals

The Bengals did not entertain linebacker Germaine Pratt after he asked for a trade. The only addition to the pass-rushing department is former Packers and Eagles player Oren Burks. They are hung up on Hendrickson, but the possibility of the 4x Pro Bowler staying remains slim.

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