Bengals Free Agency and Salary Cap Primer

Dec 23, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins (97) and defensive end Michael Johnson (93) during the first half of the game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

With NFL free agency set to kick off at 4 p.m. ET today, here is everything you need to know about the Bengals, their free agents, and how their salary cap looks as of now:

Franchise Tagged

Defensive end Michael Johnson @ $11.175 million

Unrestricted Free Agents

OT Andre Smith, CB Nate Clements, S Chris Crocker, DE Robert Geathers, QB Bruce Gradkowski, OLB Thomas Howard, CB/PR Adam Jones, OLB Manny Lawson, FB Brian Leonard, MLB Rey Maualuga, CB Terence Newman, RB Bernard Scott, DT Pat Sims, KR/WR Brandon Tate, OT Dennis Rolland, TE Richard Quinn, LB Dan Skuta

Restricted Free Agents

None Remaining

Re-signed this Offseason

LS Clark Harris—five-year deal

P Kevin Huber— five-year deal

RB/ST Cedric Peerman—two-year deal

S Jeromy Miles—RFA tender; $1.323 million

WR Andrew Hawkins—Exclusive-rights FA tender; $555,000

LB Vincent Rey—Exclusive-rights FA tender; $555,000

K Mike Nugent—two-year deal

DE Wallace Gilberry—three-year $6.75 million deal

Taking the carryover and everything else into account, they are roughly $44.3 million under the cap. It is likely they will carry around$9 million in order to sign their draft picks, as well as any late-training camp/in-season signings. (Think Jeff Faine, Wallace Gilberry)

The top-10 Bengal Salaries are as follows:

DE Michael Johnson $11.175M

CB Leon Hall $8.4M

OT Andrew Whitworth $6.75M

WR A.J. Green $5,369,481

DT Domata Peko $5.1M

S Reggie Nelson $4.125M

CB Jason Allen $3.7M

OG Travelle Wharton $3.375M

C Kyle Cook $3.34M

RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis $3.25M

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