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The Cincinnati Bengals have recently became more open to the idea of opening their wallets to bring in big-money free agents, including defensive tackle D.J. Reader.
Now that the 2022 salary cap has reportedly been set, the spending spree could continue in Cincinnati.
The NFL salary cap for 2022 is expected to reach its potential max of $208.2 million. That was the ceiling the NFL and NFLPA agreed to back in May as the league climbs after their revenue “downfall” in 2020 because of the pandemic. That’s why the 2021 salary cap was only $182.5 million, so it’s good to see a jump of over $26 million in salary cap for 2022.
Because of that, the Bengals are going to have plenty of room to work with next offseason. The Bengals currently have about $8 million in salary cap space in 2021, which they can carry over into 2022.
That would give the Bengals about $62.2 million in cap space for 2022, which is great news because they have some big contracts coming up, including star safety Jessie Bates III, who is a free agent after the season. Oh, and of course, the looming mega-contract for QB Joe Burrow, who is eligible for an extension after 2022.
That $62.2 million number would currently rank fourth in the league.
Top 2022 Salary Cap Numbers (as of 12/07/2021 c/o Over the Cap)
- Miami Dolphins – $77,076,682
- Los Angeles Chargers – $72,797,909
- Jacksonville Jaguars – $70,188,401
- Cincinnati Bengals – $62,249,358
- Washington Football Team – $61,576,305
The Bengals can also create $11 million in cap space by moving on from CB Trae Waynes, which looks like a near-certainty at this point.
Bottom line, the Bengals look to be major players again in the spring. And with a successful 2021, Cincinnati will look a bit more enticing than they have been in quite some time.
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