Bengals have no reason to make a big splash on free-agent OL, QB

The Cincinnati Bengals could use free agency to add talent — but shouldn’t.

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Were this a normal year for the Cincinnati Bengals it would make some sense in May to suggest the team needs to go out and be active in free agency.

But this hasn’t exactly been a normal year, has it?

The Bengals shocked all onlookers by committing more than $100 million in free agency to stand as one of the market’s biggest winners. The front office then hit a can’t-miss layup at No. 1 with Joe Burrow to start a well-graded draft class.

Still, it isn’t uncommon to see it suggested the Bengals need to add an offensive tackle and quarterback.

But here’s why they don’t.

 

QB

It didn’t take long in the aftermath of the Bengals releasing Andy Dalton for whispers about the need for a veteran quarterback to go public.

But the Bengals have been pretty adamant all offseason they don’t feel they need a veteran passer to mentor Joe Burrow. The No. 1 pick is mature. The staff itself also has Dan Pitcher, Brian Callahan and Zac Taylor who have all coached quarterbacks and/or played the position in college, at least.

The roster itself already has Ryan Finley and the promising Jake Dolegala too. While keeping Dalton would’ve been a nice luxury item, Finley is a guy with a year of experience in Taylor’s systems already. That can’t go understated during the coronavirus pandemic, which could shorten the offseason. A new quarterback would be at a disadvantage anyway.

 

OT

There are some flashy, big-name offensive linemen still out there.

But the Bengals have been adamant they’re better along the line than the public perception seems to suggest. That’s one of the reasons they didn’t draft Josh Jones.

And it’s not an unfair stance to take. Jonah Williams will be back to man left tackle. Trey Hopkins is in at center. Michael Jordan and Billy Price will duke it out at one guard spot while Xavier Su’a-Filo presumably mans the other.

Right tackle is the especially big sticking point for some via Bobby Hart.

And while quality of competition is part of this, keep in mind things got better down the stretch last year:

Like it or not, there is an outside chance the upswing continues as the linemen are more accustomed to the new coaching staff and its wants. Better quarterback play and fewer injuries could help with this.

And it’s not like there won’t be competition. The Bengals have some really promising prospects in tackles Isaiah Prince and Fred Johnson. The latter could beat out Hart for a job anyway. Rookie Hakeem Adeniji will also be in the mix at guard, if not right tackle, too.

Adding another name to the mix now might be a bit redundant and that guy would be behind everyone else in a potentially shortened summer. Throwing up more money to add someone could also create problems on the extension front with some of the team’s notable 2021 free agents.

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