Coming off a Super Bowl appearance, and with Joe Burrow as the starting quarterback, the Cincinnati Bengals are turning into a place where free agents are looking to sign. The days of the organization saving money and not pursuing big names are over. The Bengals have created a winning culture that is willing to spend money.
Like many before, the 2022 offseason produced some big-time names in the free agency market. Immediately after the season ends, it’s very easy to imagine a scenario where all of our top options choose to play in the stripes; that’s what we do as fans. If this offseason has proven anything, the biggest names are not always the right moves for our team.
Here are a few free agents Bengals fans can be happy we didn’t sign.
5. Charvarius Ward
Charvarius Ward signed a 3 year, $40,500,000 contract with the San Francisco 49ers.
Gosh, could you imagine if the Bengals signed Charvarius Ward after what Ja’Marr Chase did to him on live television? Bengals fans might have protested the contract.
Ja'Marr Chase loves playing the Chiefs 👋#RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/K2WmvoxhTN
— Bengals GIFs (@BengalsGIF) January 28, 2022
Jokes aside, Ward was significantly overpaid by San Fransisco. I have no explanation for how his agent negotiated a deal for over $13 million a year. Bad contracts take place when teams are desperate at a position.
Even with Ward, this 49ers cornerback room is weak. They got desperate and overpaid, like when the Bengals overpaid for Trae Waynes, and we know how that contract worked out.
The Bengals never seemed interested in Ward, but expect them to be interested in other outside cornerbacks remaining in free agency or the NFL Draft.