1. Quinton Spain
Having Quinton Spain as the No. 1 option might surprise some people but hear me out — The dude has been on fire at left guard this season AND he’d likely be the most affordable option out of the five players listed here (sans maybe Reiff, who’s turning 33 in December).
Stripe Hype’s Riley Thomas discussed how an extension for Spain should be on the horizon a few weeks ago and had this to say as to why that’d be a wise idea:
"Spain’s improvement from last season has been remarkable. Many wanted to see Spain walk during free agency due to his poor play, but Cincinnati brought him back on a one-year prove-it deal worth barely over $1 million. That decision was one of several major wins for the stripes during the offseason. Cincy has found a diamond in the rough in Spain who is arguably a top 10-15 guard in football right now. Even though the Bengal’s line has not been very good in run-blocking, Spain has been a good run blocker himself."
As Riley notes, the Bengals surprised some people by retaining Spain this past offseason and it paid off in a big way. He’s been a bargain signing and has locked down the left side of the o-line for Cincinnati. Why wouldn’t this team at least make an attempt to extend him?
Spain is 30 years old, not turning 31 until August, so giving him a two-year extension would keep him in the Queen City for the rest of Joe Burrow’s rookie deal. It feels like a no-brainer kind of decision.
These five Bengals deserve extensions for what they’ve done on the gridiron this season.