Bengals Re-Sign Brandon Thompson
- Defensive tackle Brandon Thompson has re-signed with the Bengals, according to his representatives at Element Sports Group (Twitter link). Thompson, who visited the Seahawks earlier in free agency, figures to join Pat Sims in a rotational role behind starting defensive tackles Geno Atkins and Domata Peko. Rand Getlin of the NFL Network tweets that it’s a one-year deal, while Ian Rapoport of NFL.com suggests (via Twitter) that there will be playing-time bonuses or incentives for Thompson, who tore his ACL near the end of the 2015 season.
Bengals Owner Noncommittal on Marvin Lewis Extension
It has already been an eventful day in the AFC North, where the Browns have officially signed Robert Griffin III to a two-year contract and ex-Browns linebacker Karlos Dansby is paying a visit to the division-rival Bengals. Those aren’t the only items of note worth passing along from out of the division today though, so let’s dive in and round up the latest…
- Asked about the possibility of extending head coach Marvin Lewis‘ contract beyond the 2016 season, Bengals owner Mike Brown was somewhat noncommittal. “He’s going to be our coach this year. That’s in the bank,” Brown said, per Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “Where it goes, we’ll see how it plays out.” Of course, that doesn’t mean Lewis’ job is in jeopardy by any means, but if he doesn’t get a new deal in the coming months, it’s a situation worth watching.
Karlos Dansby Visiting Bengals
After being released by the Browns earlier this month, linebacker Karlos Dansby mentioned the Bengals as a team he wouldn’t mind joining. It appears that interest is mutual. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Dansby is visiting Cincinnati today to meet with the Bengals.
[RELATED: Bengals, Brandon LaFell close to deal]
Dansby, racked up 109 tackles, forced three fumbles, and intercepted three passes, including two for touchdowns, during the 2015 season. Pro Football Focus ranked him 25th out of 97 qualified non-rush linebackers. However, with the Browns going younger on defense, the team released the 34-year-old with two seasons left on his four-year contract.
At the time of his release, Dansby told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com that he wouldn’t mind joining a Super Bowl contender like the Bengals, Packers, or Cardinals. “Yeah, I think the Bengals are licking their chops right now,” the linebacker said. “I hope they are. We’ll see what it is.”
The Bengals have some depth at linebacker, with Rey Maualuga, Vontaze Burfict, Vincent Rey, and A.J. Hawk among the available options for the three starting jobs. Still, the team did lose Emmanuel Lamur in free agency, and Burfict will serve a suspension to start the 2016 season, so adding a player like Dansby certainly wouldn’t hurt.
Dansby is also said to have received some interest from the Seahawks.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Mike Brown Doesn't Rule Out McCarron Trade
- With several teams in need of quarterback help, Bengals owner Mike Brown won’t rule out an A.J. McCarron trade, according to Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer. While Marvin Lewis seemed to close the door on the Bengals moving their backup quarterback, Brown said any player’s available for the right deal. The owner, however, said he doesn’t foresee a trade materializing right now. McCarron completed 66.4% of his passes last season, throwing six touchdown passes compared to two interceptions in three starts in relief of Andy Dalton.
Bengals Watch Ryan Smith Work Out
- The Jets, Lions, and Bengals all sent position coaches to watch North Carolina Central corner Ryan Smith work out, Pauline writes. Smith also interviewed with the Jets prior to his pro day.
[SOURCE LINK]
Bengals Will Meet With TCU WR Josh Doctson
- TCU receiver Josh Doctson has visits and/or workouts set up with the Vikings, Browns and Bengals, reports Getlin (Twitter link). The Vikings reportedly think highly of the 6-foot-4, 190-pound Doctson.
Bengals Won’t Trade A.J. McCarron
Several teams around the league have question marks under center and it makes sense that Bengals quarterback A.J. McCarron could draw interest from rival clubs. Even though there could be interest in the Bengals backup, coach Marvin Lewis told PFT’s Mike Florio the team isn’t interested in trading Andy Dalton‘s understudy. 
McCarron, 26 in September, filled in for Dalton to close out the 2015 regular season. From weeks 13 through 16, McCarron completed 66.1% of his passes with six touchdowns and two interceptions before suffering a left wrist injury. The right-handed QB toughed it out to return for the playoffs where the Bengals narrowly lost to the Steelers in the opening round. The Alabama product did not look like a world-beater while he was filling in for Dalton, but he did do a capable job.
After losing Dalton last year, Lewis understands the importance of having a solid No. 2 quarterback on the roster. By the same token, it’s hard to imagine McCarron having any type of “untouchable” status. If a QB-needy team makes a strong offer, we’d expect the Bengals to consider it.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Bengals Did Not Pursue Andre Smith; Big Deals Coming For Eifert, Bernard?
Watching most of their UFAs either defect or still reside in free agency, the Bengals allowed their latest longtime starter who fled Cincinnati to do so without an effort to keep him. The Bengals did not pursue Andre Smith, Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com reports, and the eighth-year right tackle signed with the Vikings.
Smith landed in Minnesota on a one-year, $3.5MM deal, one that could be deemed as a value-reestablishing accord. The Bengals, though, prepared for Smith’s departure a year in advance in drafting tackles Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher in the first two rounds last year. Although, Fisher moved to H-back toward the end of last season.
Longtime secondary cogs Reggie Nelson and Leon Hall remain unsigned, while the Bengals let Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu join higher-bidding teams.
Here’s some more on the Bengals, along with other North-division franchises.
- Former Bengals OC Jay Gruden expects Tyler Eifert and Giovani Bernard to command hefty contracts, per Hobson. “You have to tip your hat to that offensive scheme over there and the way Andy [Dalton] is throwing the ball around,” Gruden said. “That’s what that offense is supposed to be about. It’s supposed to get people touches, just not A.J. [Green]. Marvin and Mo got big contracts. A.J. has already established himself. Eifert will get a big deal. Giovani will get a great deal.” Gruden, who watched former auxiliary wideout Andrew Hawkins attract a solid contract from the Browns a few years ago, doesn’t anticipate a big drop-off from the Bengals’ offense after Sanu and Jones left. “[The Bengals] will be fine,” Gruden said. “Andy will throw it to the open guy and he’ll make someone else a couple of million dollars.”
Bengals Interested In Michigan DL Willie Henry
- The Bengals, Patriots and Jets sent defensive line coaches to observe Michigan D-lineman Willie Henry‘s workout on Friday, reports Tony Pauline of WalterFootball.com.
Contract Details For Adam Jones, Pat Sims
- Adam Jones, CB (Bengals): Three years, $22MM. $6MM guaranteed. $2MM signing bonus. $4MM roster bonus due March 18. $500K in annual per-game active roster bonuses. $500K playing-time escalator for 2017. $750K playing-time escalator for 2018. $200K punt return average incentive for 2018. 2018 option to be exercised by last day of 2017 league year. (Twitter links).
- Pat Sims, DT (Bengals): Two years, $2.3MM. $250K guaranteed roster bonus due March 18. $200K in annual playing-time incentives. $200K playing-time escalator for 2017 (Twitter links via Wilson and Pelissero).