NFL: Future of Cincinnati Bengals - Keep A.J. Green & Geno Atkins At All Costs

Bengals begin 2013 offseason. Photo credit NFL 

by Chad Jones 

Cincinnati Bengals Owner Mike Brown, son of legendary Paul Brown, is often criticized for his stewardship of the Franchise. Sitting atop the organization, he oversees Player Personnel. Known for employing the smallest scouting staff in the league, it hasn't inhibited building a talented roster. In tandem with egregiously underrated coach Marvin Lewis and a staff that excels with Player Development, the Bengals have built a talented roster. 


Recent success is derived from successful drafts, and prudent parlays into veteran free agency. The 2009-2011 drafts netted major contributors & franchise cornerstones. With the rookie wage scale in effect from 2011 forward, contributions have far outpaced compensation. Over the next 3 offseasons, major choices on which players to keep longterm, and paying the right players will be vital to future results. 

2013 Free Agents Resigned: 
OT Andre Smith Jr -26- (3 Years 18.0 M w/ 5.0 M Guaranteed) 
DE Robert Geathers -30- (3 Years 9.0 M w/ 3.25 M Guaranteed) 
DE Wallace Gilberry -28- (3 Years 6.3 M w/ 1.85 M Guaranteed) 
DE Michael Johnson -26- (Franchise Tag- 1 Year 11.175 M) 
LB Rey Maualuga -26- (2 Years 6.5 M w/ 2.25 M Guaranteed) 
CB Adam Jones -29- (3 Years 5.4 M w/ 750 K Guaranteed) 
CB Terence Newman -34- (2 Years 5.0 M w/ 1.4 M Guaranteed) 
P Kevin Huber -28- (5 Years 14.0 M w/ 3.4 M Guaranteed) 
K Mike Nugent -31- (2 Years 3.5 M w/ 1.2 M Guaranteed) 
LS Clark Harris -29- (5 Years 4.8 M w/ 600 K Guaranteed) 

2014 Unrestricted Free Agents (Age Reflects 2013 Season) 
FB John Conner -25- 
FB Chris Pressley -27- 
WR Brandon Tate -25- 
OT Anthony Collins -27- 
OT Dennis Roland -31- 
DE Jamaal Anderson -27- 
DE Carlos Dunlap -24- 
DE Michael Johnson -26- 
DT Geno Atkins -25- 
CB Brandon Ghee -26- 
S Taylor Mays -25- 

2015 Unrestricted Free Agents (Age Reflects 2013 Season) 
QB Andy Dalton -25- 
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis -28-
WR A.J. Green -25- 
WR Andrew Hawkins -27- 
TE Jermaine Gresham -25- 
OG Clint Boling -24- 
OG Travelle Wharton -32- 
DT Domata Peko -28-
LB Rey Maualuga -26- 
LB Dontay Moch -25- 
LB Vincent Rey -25- 

Looking at these two groups, it's important to understand the way the team is constructed. Talented Defensive Linemen have afforded Mike Zimmer's Defense one of the leagues top pass rushes. It's headlined by the premier 3-Technique in Geno Atkins, whose flanked by talented Defensive Ends Carlos Dunlap & Michael Johnson. 

Dunlap was selected 54th Overall in the 2010 Draft, and Johnson was taken 70th in 2009. Both arrived under similar circumstances- Highly touted prospects coming off disappointing final college seasons, leading to precipitous falls on draft day. Realistically, both players cannot be retained longterm, and thus the team must make a decision which should be prioritized. 

Geno Atkins was a Diamond in the Rough, selected 120th Overall in the 2010 Draft. Having emerged as the game's premier 3-technique, he'll command a major financial commitment. Herein lies the rational for overpaying role playing Defensive Ends Robert Geathers & Wallace Gilberry, as these two deals establish a strong foundation with SportsTrust Advisors to broker a longterm deal on Atkins. Geathers, Gilberry & Atkins are all represented by the same firm. 

Andy Dalton's Cap Figures- 2013 (1.422 M) & 2014 (1.659 M) are bargains given the high salaries Quarterbacks command. Eventually, a decision must be made on his future. The Bengals won't be forced to go anywhere near the $ 100 Million top Quarterbacks command, but a raise is inevitable. This will change the Bengals Salary Cap structure. 

Longterm, the Franchise Player is A.J. Green & all efforts must be made to keep him in Cincinnati for the duration of his career. What Mike Brown must recognize is A.J. Green & Geno Atkins are the Franchise Cornerstones, and pay them accordingly. The rest of the Free Agents are replaceable, but these two are marquee ones at their respective positions. 

Letting A.J. Green depart via Free Agency, assuming production continues, would be a travesty for the Franchise. And thus, following the conclusion of the 2013 season, efforts to workout a longterm deal must galvanize. This is the first opportunity the CBA permits teams to work out extensions, after the player accrues 3 league years. 

Mike Brown constantly draws criticism, but in the past 3 years, we have witnessed the Franchise lay a tremendous Foundation for future success. And thus, he deserves some credit, albeit begrudgingly.