As the Cincinnati Bengals dive into the bustling NFL offseason, all eyes are on Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin, who recently shared insights at the NFL Scouting Combine. The Bengals are gearing up to "attack" the offseason, aiming to mold a playoff-ready team by wisely spending their resources.
A key move could involve restructuring the contract of their star quarterback, Joe Burrow. By converting a portion of Burrow’s salary into a bonus, the Bengals could free up significant cap space, potentially enhancing their ability to sign impactful free agents, particularly on defense.
While restructuring contracts is a common strategy across the league, it’s not something the Bengals have traditionally embraced. Teams like the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs routinely restructure deals for players like Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes, respectively. However, Tobin hinted that the Bengals might be ready to explore this avenue, noting that a restructure for Burrow "isn't off the table."
Tobin emphasized the team's commitment to improvement, stating, "Cap dollars have to be counted, so if we can accomplish what we want to without future problems, we’ll do that. If we need that, we’ll consider it.
We’re open to doing anything we need to improve our team. Our mindset is to win a championship, and that’s how we’re approaching the offseason."
According to Over The Cap, restructuring Burrow could save the Bengals around $19.2 million. Additionally, simple restructures with star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins could save another $26 million. With an expected $53 million in cap space, these moves could set the stage for an exceptionally active offseason.
The Bengals have shown a willingness to adapt in recent years, and if they decide to embrace restructuring, this offseason presents a prime opportunity to bolster their roster and make a serious playoff push.