Already seeing changes with Kahn

[feltdizz]

It's a business where you have to know how to find and keep value that's hard to replace. It's also about letting go of real talent that is too expensive and you can get cheaper. It's my point on WRs. I think it's one of the positions you can get away with starters all on rookie contracts and still win a SB. Paying Minkah made sense. Who I worry about is Najee. When it comes time he will be wanting top RB money He will be wanting 16-17 million a year at least. I do think the Steelers pay him but RBs on second contracts always concern me.

no way in hell Najee can demand/expect that type of money unless he turns into Henry after the bye.

I also don’t think you can win a SB with WR’s all on rookie contracts across the board. I think a vet presence is crucial
when it comes to mentoring the young guys. Bengals were pretty young but I believe they had Boyd in that group of WR’s.

[feltdizz]

Personally, it feels like this is the first official year of our rebuild. New GM, new QB, new WR…

Next draft is crucial. If we are smart about it I can see us rebounding quickly because the NFL is designed that way if you plug holes and draft wisely. Lately we haven’t been that good at balancing our draft picks. Now is the time to stock picks and draft big uglies.

and spend that money in FA on a legit CB. Still don’t trust this staff with drafting CB’s but who knows.. we might be able to trade back and finally grab a solid CB earlier than the 4th round.

Still holding out hope THIS year because that’s the way I’m built as a fan so until we are out of it officially, we have a shot.. lol.

but regardless of how it plays out, I think we are closer to rebounding than folks believe. Its our first year where it looks like we really could have a losing season in a looooooong time.

Its amazing how spoiled we are as fans.

[feltdizz]

Eh, don't mind breaking that one. The one time they did guaranteed Bettis would be back in 1997 and beyond.

yeah, if you can reach a deal that works I don’t give a damn when its finalized.

[Northern_Blitz]

Bump. This isn't entirely new, they did deal Holmes before his rookie contract was up, but it was his last year and he was suspended for violating the substance abuse policy.

Anyway, gives me hope that they'll address free agency differently this year, i.e. quality over quantity.

It will be interesting to see what they do this year in UFA.

I think we'll have more unallocated cap than we're used to. And a significantly worse team.

[Shawn]

no way in hell Najee can demand/expect that type of money unless he turns into Henry after the bye.

I also don’t think you can win a SB with WR’s all on rookie contracts across the board. I think a vet presence is crucial
when it comes to mentoring the young guys. Bengals were pretty young but I believe they had Boyd in that group of WR’s.

First, all that was said in June. Look at dates. Second, how did Najee go from a RB who ran for 1200 yards and caught 74 balls to the pariah of this message board? I'll tell you how. Najee isn't the problem. He didn't go from being a top 4 NFL running back his rookie season to unable to run. The team is a mess, the OL is a mess and Najee is having a down year because of it. Of course he can't command that kind of money with this 2022 production numbers. Everything said was based on his previous production and assumed growth.

[Shawn]

no way in hell Najee can demand/expect that type of money unless he turns into Henry after the bye.

I also don’t think you can win a SB with WR’s all on rookie contracts across the board. I think a vet presence is crucial
when it comes to mentoring the young guys. Bengals were pretty young but I believe they had Boyd in that group of WR’s.

So Boyd is who brought the Bengals that success? Yeah his 800+ yards and 5 TDs couldn't have been matched with a WR on a rookie deal...lol.

[Eich]

First, all that was said in June. Look at dates. Second, how did Najee go from a RB who ran for 1200 yards and caught 74 balls to the pariah of this message board? I'll tell you how. Najee isn't the problem. He didn't go from being a top 4 NFL running back his rookie season to unable to run. The team is a mess, the OL is a mess and Najee is having a down year because of it. Of course he can't command that kind of money with this 2022 production numbers. Everything said was based on his previous production and assumed growth.

I agree with the OL being a mess and the team being a mess and all contributing to Najee's poor performances but Najee is also part of the problem. He had a foot injury and he dances too much. When there are holes, he isn't running like he did last year, for whatever reason. I dare say, that if we start Warren, the results will improve.

[Eich]

Still holding out hope THIS year because that’s the way I’m built as a fan so until we are out of it officially, we have a shot.. lol.

but regardless of how it plays out, I think we are closer to rebounding than folks believe. Its our first year where it looks like we really could have a losing season in a looooooong time.

Its amazing how spoiled we are as fans.

I'm at a point this season, where I honestly don't care all that much about wins. I'm intently watching to see Kenny develop. I want to see him grow. I want to see some TD's and fewer interceptions and MORE POINTS.

I'll feel Ok about this down season if Kenny develops and we start scoring more than 20 points on a regular basis. Sadly, I think Canada is really in the way of this.

[WindyCitySteel]

First, all that was said in June. Look at dates. Second, how did Najee go from a RB who ran for 1200 yards and caught 74 balls to the pariah of this message board? I'll tell you how. Najee isn't the problem. He didn't go from being a top 4 NFL running back his rookie season to unable to run. The team is a mess, the OL is a mess and Najee is having a down year because of it. Of course he can't command that kind of money with this 2022 production numbers. Everything said was based on his previous production and assumed growth.

Najee is tentative and not hitting holes when they're there. His weight gain is working against him. That failed 3rd down pickup when he was wide open in space and decided to dance was Anthony McFarland-esque, and should have sent him to the bench.

[feltdizz]

So Boyd is who brought the Bengals that success? Yeah his 800+ yards and 5 TDs couldn't have been matched with a WR on a rookie deal...lol.

what part of “mentoring younger WR’s” did you miss??

Somewhat lost in Burrow rising MVP boards, Chase and Tee Higgins both racking up over 1,000 yards through the air and Joe Mixon rushing for a career-high 1,200 yards, Tyler Boyd has been the most reliable wide receiver in the NFL this season.

As NFL Network’s Aditi Kinkhabwala pointed out, Boyd’s 67 receptions without a drop this season are by far the most in the league.


The sure-handed target isn’t the flashy option that Chase or Higgins is, but Boyd is good for either throwing a ball up that needs to be hauled in or dumping a ball off that needs to be carried a few yards. It isn’t always glamorous, but Boyd has been the glue that holds the unit together. but a veteran voice among the wide receivers at the ripe, old age of 27.

[whisper]

what part of “mentoring younger WR’s” did you miss??

Somewhat lost in Burrow rising MVP boards, Chase and Tee Higgins both racking up over 1,000 yards through the air and Joe Mixon rushing for a career-high 1,200 yards, Tyler Boyd has been the most reliable wide receiver in the NFL this season.

As NFL Network’s Aditi Kinkhabwala pointed out, Boyd’s 67 receptions without a drop this season are by far the most in the league.


The sure-handed target isn’t the flashy option that Chase or Higgins is, but Boyd is good for either throwing a ball up that needs to be hauled in or dumping a ball off that needs to be carried a few yards. It isn’t always glamorous, but Boyd has been the glue that holds the unit together. but a veteran voice among the wide receivers at the ripe, old age of 27.

Yea, if they say so. Boyd sure didn't do enough in Cleveland to prevent a blow out loss. 3 grabs, 38 yards. Blow out baby.

[Captain Lemming]

I'm at a point this season, where I honestly don't care all that much about wins. I'm intently watching to see Kenny develop. I want to see him grow. I want to see some TD's and fewer interceptions and MORE POINTS.

I'll feel Ok about this down season if Kenny develops and we start scoring more than 20 points on a regular basis. Sadly, I think Canada is really in the way of this.

Well said, agree 100. Growing pains after a franchise QB is expected. As long as Kenny and the team finish strong, I'm happy.

No change toward seasons end and I will start getting worried.

[NJ-STEELER]

Yea, if they say so. Boyd sure didn't do enough in Cleveland to prevent a blow out loss. 3 grabs, 38 yards. Blow out baby.

he had a key drop in the SB too. i remember teasing cincy fans how pittsburgh had a big influence on them losing the SB with boyd's drop and donald winning mvp

[Steel Maniac]

Well said, agree 100. Growing pains after a franchise QB is expected. As long as Kenny and the team finish strong, I'm happy.

No change toward seasons end and I will start getting worried.

This is where I came into the season with that frame of mind. No way were we going to be a winning team this year but I do want to see KP go through the learning curve. But he'd be better with a better OC and O-line.

[Oviedo]

I'm looking forward to see what Khan does going forward...both draft and free agency. Seem like he might be more aggressive and I have always liked the Weidl hire