Time to Panic? Some Thoughts on Bengals' Free Agency and Their Lack of Moves

CINCINNATI — The legal tampering period came and went and the 2023 league year has officially started, which means free agents are able to sign with teams.

The Bengals re-signed linebacker Germaine Pratt, safety Michael Thomas and agreed to terms with running back Trayveon Williams. Despite keeping three of their own guys, they've lost multiple key pieces from last seasons team, including Jessie Bates, Vonn Bell, Hayden Hurst and Samaje Perine.

Will Cincinnati address tight end, safety and running back in free agency? Should fans be panicking about the Bengals' lack of inactivity?

Here are three thoughts on the notion that it's time to "panic."

Free Agent Options

There are still plenty of proven veterans the Bengals could add at key positions, including tight end, safety, right tackle and running back.

Losing Hayden Hurst hurts, but top guys like Mike Gesicki and Dalton Schultz are still available. Interesting veteran options include Foster Moreau, Austin Hooper and Irv Smith Jr.

They could still add Cam Fleming, Jermaine Eluemunor or Isaiah Wynn to plug their need at right tackle.

The same goes at running back, where Jamaal Williams could be an upgrade from Samaje Perine. At safety, a quartet of Taylor Rapp, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Juan Thornhill and Julian Love lead the way, but there are plenty of interesting options.

John Johnson III could make sense if they want him to fill the void Bell left behind.

The Bengals have plenty of cap space and there are a plethora of players that could be plug-and-play starters in areas of need.

Wasting Burrow's Window

Some are saying the Bengals haven't gotten better, which is wasting Joe Burrow's championship window while he's on a rookie contract.

If they had to play a game tomorrow, I would agree. Fortunately for them, that isn't the case. They know they have to fill holes on the roster and that more opened up with Bates, Bell and Hurst signing elsewhere.

The Bengals have been the best team in the NFL at acquiring talent in free agency over the past three seasons. They've had hit after hit, with one major miss: Trae Waynes.

They deserve the benefit of the doubt, for now. If they don't make moves or rely on the draft to fill obvious weaknesses, then they should be criticized for wasting the last year of Burrow's rookie contract.

Instead of panicking, let's see what they do over the next few days. Odds are, their roster will feel much different by the weekend.

Front Office Plans to Push

Duke Tobin has seen plenty of ups and downs during his time as Bengals Director of Player Personnel. He knows how important it is to add talent in free agency in today's NFL.

The days of building a Super Bowl Champion in the draft are over. You have to hit on draft picks, but adding proven players in free agency can be the difference between winning and losing in the postseason.

Tobin knows the Bengals have to add pieces if they're going to make another playoff run.

"We push hard every year. We push hard every year," Tobin said at the NFL Combine. "Just because you spend more doesn't mean you're gonna have a better team. You spend the appropriate amount to get the players that you want and that's what we're after. Are we pushing? We're pushing. We always push."

The Bengals are going to sign players. Waiting is tough, but it's inevitable. Finding the right guys is another story. They'll try to continue that success in the coming days.

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