The Cincinnati Bengals will undoubtedly seek defensive line help this offseason, likely both in free agency and the draft.
After all, the team lost DJ Reader to injury before his upcoming trip to free agency and had a severe lack of production, especially as the season continued.
What the Bengals don’t figure to do, though, is make subtractions to the defensive line.
While outlining the Bengals’ offseason outlook, though, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler does float BJ Hill as a cut candidate:
The Bengals’ roster is well-stocked but needs reinforcements, particularly on defense. Expect Cincinnati to attempt to add speed and explosion to its front seven, particularly on the interior defensive line, via free agency and the draft. Many around the league believe Cincinnati will franchise-tag wide receiver Tee Higgins and let veteran slot receiver Tyler Boyd walk. Running back Joe Mixon ($5.8 million cap savings) and defensive tackle BJ Hill ($7.5 million) are among potential cap casualties, though Mixon posted 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns.
On sheer money alone, Hill might look like a cut candidate. While some might suggest the veteran had a down season, despite so little going on around him, Hill posted more pressures (23) than 2022 on fewer snaps.
Given the severe lack of depth and production from the defensive line, it’s safe to say Hill isn’t going anywhere. What this does possibly point out, though, is he might be a restructure candidate (or even an extension that flattens the cap hit?), should the Bengals somehow find themselves strapped for cash.
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