One of the first big dominoes of the free agent market that could have an impact on the Cincinnati Bengals fell to start the week.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and wideout Mike Evans agreed on a big two-year extension worth $52 million, including $35 million guaranteed.
That’s notable for the Bengals in a few ways. For one, that guaranteed sum over just two years might give a basis for a similar structure for the Bengals and WR Tee Higgins — provided the front office is willing to break free of its general rule about guarantees after the first year.
But an Evans-type deal stretched to the three- or four-year mark might work. Players want shorter deals now than in the past because the cap keeps jumping so dramatically. Then again, the Bengals could balk at the per-year number, too, while still needing to pay up for WR Ja’Marr Chase.
And two, there’s this list of teams that were banking on Evans being one of the top guys available:
Multiple teams had Mike Evans on their free agent WR board and were hoping to land him in free agency. Based on several team sources: Titans, Rams, Chiefs, Patriots, Giants, Panthers, Falcons, and Jaguars.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 4, 2024
With a No. 1 off the board, there are fewer players of that caliber available this offseason. Higgins is one, provided the trading team in need is willing to cough up big draft assets and sign him to a massive extension.
That doesn’t mean the Bengals will agree to any trade, but it does seem to increase the chances that teams at least pick up the phone and call Cincinnati.
