<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-rumors-joe-burrow-private-pressure-re-sign-jamarr-chase-tee-higgins');   ga('set', 'title', 'Joe Burrow put private pressure on Bengals to re-sign Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bengals-rumors-Joe-Burrow-put-private-pressure-on-Cincinnati-to-re-sign-JaMarr-Chase-Tee-Higgins.jpg"></figure><h1>Joe Burrow put private pressure on Bengals to re-sign Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-18T20:08:33-07:00">March 18th, 8:08pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-18T20:28:25-07:00">March 18th, 8:28pm</time><address><a>Mike Gianakos</a>Mike Gianakos is the former editor-in-chief of High Times magazine, where he also spearheaded the video department and event production. He is a longtime podcaster and even longer suffering NY Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Bengals</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Cincinnati Bengals kept the core of the NFL’s top passing offense together as the team <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-jamarr-chase-tee-higgins-agree-4-year-contract-extensions">re-signed Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins</a> to contract extensions. While it appeared that negotiations were at a standstill, an agreement was reached Sunday that will keep the two wideouts in Cincinnati for four more years.</p><p>The Bengals’ decision to keep both Chase and Higgins is great for Joe Burrow, who put together an MVP-caliber season in 2024. But now fans are learning how the QB helped make sure the <a href="https://x.com/Schultz_Report/status/1902170546072133866" rel="noopener">deals went down</a>.</p><p>Burrow’s influence was a key factor in the contract negotiations, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz on X. In addition to his public support, “Burrow also applied private pressure, making it clear deals must get done for both [Chase and Higgins].”</p><h2><b>Joe Burrow helped ensure the Bengals kept both Chase and Higgins</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Chase-Higgins-Burrow.jpg"><figcaption>Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Burrow remained optimistic in his public statements about extensions for the receivers throughout the process. Bengals’ offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher pointed out <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-coach-real-joe-burrow-role-tee-higgins-saga">Burrow’s role in the saga</a>, acknowledging the team’s implicit trust in the quarterback and how much the organization values his opinion.</p><p>Clearly Burrow used his position to force Cincinnati to make the extensions a priority. Additionally, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-tee-higgins-changing-agents-extension-jamarr-chase">Higgins’ decision to switch agents</a> was also a major factor in getting the deals done. One agent handling both players and refusing to leave either behind proved beneficial.</p><p>Chase ended up signing a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-jamarr-chase-immediate-reaction-161-million-extension">record-breaking $161 million contract</a> that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. He’ll earn $40.25 million per season on average over the next four years. Meanwhile Higgins landed a $115 million extension, raking in $28.75 million a year.</p><p>Burrow had been hopeful that the Bengals could re-sign Chase, Higgins and Trey Hendrickson. The veteran edge rusher led the league in sacks last season but he hasn’t been able to get a new contract out of Cincinnati. The team granted him permission to explore trade options but the two sides remain at an impasse on an extension.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Joe Burrow put private pressure on Bengals to re-sign Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-joe-burrow-robert-griffin-iii-truth-bomb-jamarr-chase-tee-higgins-signings');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bengals’ Joe Burrow gets Robert Griffin III truth bomb after Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins signings');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Joe-Burrow-gets-Robert-Griffin-III-truth-bomb-after-JaMarr-Chase-Tee-Higgins-signings.jpg"></figure><h1>Bengals’ Joe Burrow gets Robert Griffin III truth bomb after Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins signings</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-18T09:09:54-07:00">March 18th, 9:09am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-18T09:09:54-07:00">March 18th, 9:09am</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Bengals</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Cincinnati Bengals have done right, in the eyes of Robert Griffin III. After the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-jamarr-chase-tee-higgins-agree-4-year-contract-extensions">Bengals re-signed Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins</a>, quarterback Joe Burrow has his two premier receivers back.</p><p>As a result, it has Griffin III more than optimistic about the Bengals. In a X (formerly Twitter) post, he <a href="https://x.com/RGIII/status/1902019143253061644" rel="noopener">posted a video</a> and said this as his caption.</p><p>“Stop moving the goalposts on Joe Burrow and the @Bengals,” the post reads. “They just gave themselves the best chance to win a Super Bowl over the next 4 years by paying Ja’Marr Chase &amp; Tee Higgins.</p><p>“Joey B led them to a Super Bowl behind an O-Line that gave up 70 sacks with these 2.”</p><p>That metric Griffin III mentioned isn’t a fallacy. It is legitimate. Burrow has been sacked a barrage of times since entering the league. Despite saying that some of the sacks are on him, the Bengals need a better offensive line.</p><p>Luckily, the 2025 NFL Draft has <a href="https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/positions/OL/1/2025" rel="noopener">plenty of offensive lineman</a> for them to pursue. Someone like a Josh Simmons or a Grey Zabel can be an immediate contributor on that side.</p><p>Unlike most positions, lineman can excel quickly from college to the pros. If that is the case, than Griffin III’s point could quickly come to fruition.</p><h2><b>Robert Griffin III loves Bengals chances with signings</b></h2><p>Bringing back the main offensive core is huge. Still though, the lingering problem is the offensive line, as well as the defense. While the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-notre-dame-al-golden-set-to-be-dc">Bengals hired Al Golden from Notre Dame to be their defensive coordinator</a>, it might not solve all of the problems.</p><p>After all, Cincinnati had one of the worst defenses in the league last season. They allowed the seventh-most points per game in the league. Even though they scored 27.8 points per game, the defense truly held them back.</p><p>If the team addresses those two area, they will be fine.</p><p>However, star defensive lineman Trey Hendrickson has requested a trade from Cincinnati. Losing a premier player of that caliber is not good in the slightest.</p><p>Still, the team can land a barrage of prospects for him. They might secure some more draft picks or even lineman to bolster either side of the ball.</p><p>Either way, the season is roughly six months away, and there are plenty of more moves to be made.</p><p>Regardless of that, it hasn’t wavered Griffin III’s confidence in the Bengals. Establishing the Big 3 of Burrow, Higgins, and Chase is huge for the franchise.</p><p>Now, it is about establishing the other key pieces to make them a formidable and legitimate threat as a Super Bowl contender.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bengals’ Joe Burrow gets Robert Griffin III truth bomb after Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins signings

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-rumors-insider-pinpoints-free-agent-target-help-joe-burrow');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bengals rumors: Insider pinpoints ‘most viable’ free agent target to help Joe Burrow');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bengals-rumors-Insider-pinpoints-most-viable-free-agent-target-to-help-Joe-Burrow.jpg"></figure><h1>Bengals rumors: Insider pinpoints ‘most viable’ free agent target to help Joe Burrow</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-17T10:04:22-07:00">March 17th, 10:04am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-17T10:04:22-07:00">March 17th, 10:04am</time><address><a>Preston Byers</a>Preston Byers is an experienced writer and journalist who currently serves as an associate editor for ClutchPoints and as a staff writer at The Vindicator and Tribune Chronicle, where he covers sports in the Mahoning Valley. Previously, Preston worked as an associate editor for Dot Esports and a site expert for FanSided's Union and Blue.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Bengals</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Cincinnati Bengals uncharacteristically spent big yesterday when they inked massive <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-jamarr-chase-tee-higgins-agree-4-year-contract-extensions">contract extensions with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins</a>, quarterback Joe Burrow’s top two wide receivers.</p><p>Cincinnati has garnered a reputation for being a ‘cheap’ franchise that avoids paying top dollar to their players, but by re-signing Chase and Higgins to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-insider-answers-question-jamarr-chase-tee-higgins-contracts">deals worth more than $270 million</a> combined not too long after extending Burrow with a $275 million contract shows that the Bengals are willing to spend. If the Bengals are to compete in 2025, however, the team will need to do more than simply re-sign their players since Cincinnati missed the playoffs in 2024.</p><p>In addition to the defense, which was among the worst in the NFL this past season, the Bengals could use some help protecting their nearly $300 million quarterback. That has led the team to target a few guards, although that reportedly <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6205743/2025/03/17/bengals-jamarr-chase-tee-higgins-fallout/" rel="noopener">hasn’t worked out</a> very well for them in free agency.</p><p>“No missing piece is more glaring than what’s happening at guard, though,” The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. wrote. “The Bengals weren’t in love with the free-agent class at the position and those at the top of their list ended up being paid at the top of the market, a level they were unwilling to go.</p><p>“Still, a plan to sign at least one guard in free agency while laying out a competition at the other guard spot was placed into jeopardy.”</p><p>Dehner explained that the Bengals opted to not seriously pursue Mekhi Becton, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers for $20 million, or former <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/chicago-bears/bears-news-caleb-williams-protector-uncertain-future">Chicago Bears lineman Teven Jenkins</a>, who is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks today.</p><p>Instead, Cincinnati may target a former multi-time Pro Bowler whose best days appear decidedly behind him.</p><p>“That leaves 33-year-old Brandon Scherff as the most viable candidate to solidify a spot,” Dehner wrote. “A resolution with him is not expected soon as the former Jaguars guard weighs options for the final stanza of his career.</p><p>“Cincinnati will assess the remaining options on the market and look to pinpoint a gem amid the rubble of free agency at the position.”</p><p>Scherff was the fifth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and played seven seasons with the now-Washington Commanders. In that time, he was a five-time Pro Bowl and one-time (2020) All-Pro selection.  In 2022, he signed a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, with whom he has played since then.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bengals rumors: Insider pinpoints ‘most viable’ free agent target to help Joe Burrow

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-cincinnati-re-signs-joe-burrow-protector-2-year-deal');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bengals re-sign key Joe Burrow protector to 2-year deal');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Cincinnati-re-signs-key-Joe-Burrow-protector-to-2-year-deal.jpg"></figure><h1>Bengals re-sign key Joe Burrow protector to 2-year deal</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-09T15:39:17-07:00">March 9th, 3:39pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-09T15:39:17-07:00">March 9th, 3:39pm</time><address><a>Dakota Zientek</a>Dakota Zientek graduated from the University of Iowa in 2020 and has been writing about the NFL ever since. As a die-hard NFL fan, Dakota's fandom rides with the Chicago Bears through thick and thin -- regardless of how much pain it has caused his heart throughout the years. One day, he believes he will celebrate the Bears winning a Super Bowl. Maybe even... a few?</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Bengals</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Although the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-rumors-trey-hendrickson-cincinnati-not-close-on-contract-negotiations">Cincinnati Bengals are in hot water surrounding Trey Hendrickson</a>, they were able to secure one of their offensive linemen for the foreseeable future ahead of free agency. Joe Burrow will be happy with this move, as the Bengals <a href="https://x.com/MikeGarafolo/status/1898849334877192205" rel="noopener">re-signed one of their own</a>, handing a one-year deal to lineman Cody Ford, per Mike Garafolo on X.</p><p>“The #Bengals are bringing back OL Cody Ford on a two-year deal, source says,” Garafolo wrote. “After playing in 16 games with nine starts last season, Ford returns to Cincy to help protect QB Joe Burrow.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bengals?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bengals</a> are bringing back OL Cody Ford on a two-year deal, source says. After playing in 16 games with nine starts last season, Ford returns to Cincy to help protect QB Joe Burrow. <a href="https://t.co/taaZcRit5B">pic.twitter.com/taaZcRit5B</a></p><p>— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status/1898849334877192205?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>While the Bengals will be happier if they can <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-jamarr-chase-tee-higgins-contract-update-nfl-insider">re-sign Ja’Marr Chase and/or Tee Higgins</a>, it’s a start for Cincinnati.</p><p>In the NFL, building a stout offensive line is a priority of nearly every team. And with the Bengals having Burrow under center — who’s <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-joe-burrow-issues-honest-take-knee-amid-injury-concern">faced some serious injuries in his NFL career</a> thus far — the priority of having a strong base in front of him is paramount.</p><p>Ford was a second-round pick in 2019 to the Buffalo Bills, playing with them for his first three seasons in the NFL. Then, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/arizona-cardinals/cardinals-news-arizona-reunites-kyler-murray-with-cody-ford-in-trade-with-bills">he spent one year with the Arizona Cardinals</a>, where he’d only make three starts. However, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-cincinnati-bolsters-offensive-line-again-with-ex-bills-player-after-orlando-brown-jr-move">Ford landed with the Bengals in 2023</a>, where he’s been ever since.</p><p>In his two seasons with the Bengals, he’s been a constant for the offensive line in Cincinnati, even if he isn’t an All-Pro lineman.</p><p>Not only is it important to have good linemen, but it’s even more crucial to have strong continuity among the line.</p><p>Throughout his career, <a href="https://premium.pff.com/nfl/players/2024/REG/player/39805/offense-blocking" rel="noopener">he’s graded</a> between the 40s and high 50s by PFF, showing he might not cause teams to form bidding wars over him in the offseason. But not every good offensive line needs Hall-of-Famers at every position. Sure, that helps, but it’s not necessary.</p><p>And with Ford returning for the 2025 season, the Bengals have a bit of familiarity within their offensive line.</p><p>The more lineman that can be brought back — even if they aren’t top-of-the-line — the better.</p><p>Because — if the Bengals improve from Ford through the 2025 NFL Draft or elsewhere — they still have a quality player who can plug and play if something happens to a starter.</p><p>Building an NFL roster isn’t just about adding players who will wear golden suit coats at the end of their careers. It’s about using the resources to build the best possible product with what they have.</p><p>So — although some Bengals fans might question the decision to re-sign Cody Ford before free agency— they likely did so with Joe Burrow’s health in mind.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Bengals re-sign key Joe Burrow protector to 2-year deal

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/cincinnati-bengals/bengals-news-cincinnati-brings-back-key-joe-burrow-weapon-3-year-deal');   ga('set', 'title', 'Bengals bring back key Joe Burrow weapon on 3-year, $25.5 million deal');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bengals-news-Cincy-brings-back-key-Joe-Burrow-weapon-on-3-year-25.5-million-deal.jpg"></figure><h1>Bengals bring back key Joe Burrow weapon on 3-year, $25.5 million deal</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-08T09:40:53-08:00">March 8th, 9:40am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-08T09:41:31-08:00">March 8th, 9:41am</time><address><a href="https://medium.com/bingeable">Sonny Giuliano</a>Sonny Giuliano is an experienced sports writer for ClutchPoints who has been covering the NFL, NCAA Football, NBA, and NCAA Basketball for well over a decade. Originally from the small town of Elba, New York, Sonny received his degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Cincinnati Bengals</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The 2025 NFL offseason is still in it’s earliest stages, but the Cincinnati Bengals have proven to be as the league’s most active team. In just about one week’s time, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/bengals-news-cincinnati-69-million-cap-space-release-joe-burrow-protector">Bengals have decided to cut guard Alex Cappa</a>, put All-Pro <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/bengals-news-trey-hendrickson-permission-seek-trade">Trey Hendrickson on the trade block</a>, and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/bengals-news-tee-higgins-confirms-franchise-tag-decision-1-word-message">franchise tag Tee Higgins for the second consecutive year</a>. And now, they’ve followed those franchise-altering decisions with a signing of one of Joe Burrow’s favorite targets to <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1898418954730971188" rel="noopener">a multi-year deal</a>.</p><p>“Tight end Mike Gesicki is re-signing with the Bengals on a three-year, $25.5 million deal, per sources,” writes ESPN’s Adam Schefter on X.</p><p>The 29-year-old Mike Gesicki, who arrived in Cincinnati last March on a one-year, $2.5 million deal is being rewarded handsomely after a 2024 campaign in which he finished third on the team behind Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in targets (83), receptions (65) and receiving yards (665). Gesicki’s third career 100 yard game, and his first since 2021, came in Week 9 last season when he hauled in 5 catches for 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns.</p><p>While bringing back Gesicki on a multi-year deal is certainly a move Bengals fans will be able to get behind, there are hopes that those two top pass-catchers will be the next in line to sign long-term contracts. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-rumors-bengals-tag-tee-higgins-bombshell-twist">Bengals franchise tagged Higgins with the intentions of eventually signing him to a new contract</a>, and whenever Chase re-signs, it will likely be on the largest contract ever for a wide receiver. This is, after all, what <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/bengals-news-joe-burrows-outlook-paying-jamarr-chase-tee-higgins">Joe Burrow has said on numerous occasions that he expects to get done</a>.</p><p>The Bengals were 8-4 when they had both Chase and Higgins in the lineup last season, and Cincinnati’s offense was rarely the unit that came up short last season. The Bengals defense and special teams units were ranked 27th and 20th respectively in Aaron Schatz’s <a href="https://ftnfantasy.com/nfl/final-2024-dvoa-ratings#full-dvoa-table-through-week-18" rel="noopener">final DVOA rankings of the 2024 NFL season</a>, while their offense ranked 5th.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024 SEASON STATS
PASSING YDS	PASSING TDS	INTERCEPTIONS	POSITION RANK
8395	73.4	15.4	3

2024 SEASON STATS
PASSING YDS	PASSING TDS	INTERCEPTIONS	POSITION RANK
8395	73.4	15.4	3

Joe
Burrow

2022 Projected vs Actual Pts

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Bengals re-sign key Joe Burrow protector to 2-year deal

Bengals bring back key Joe Burrow weapon on 3-year, $25.5 million deal