The Cincinnati Bengals proved last season that they have a title-contending team, something that they haven’t been able to say, literally, for several decades, while it actually being true, at least. One thing they’ve long had, and still, have, however, is a substantial amount of salary cap room.
The defending AFC champions are sitting at close to about $50 million under the cap prior to the start of the new league year. While they will have predictable expenses like everybody else, they have plenty of room to work with, and more motivation than ever to use it.
One of their first tasks, according to reports, will be to place the franchise tag on fifth-year safety Jessie Bates III, who has been one of the team’s most important defenders over the course of the past four years.