'Single-Worst Game Plan' - The Ringer's Bill Simmons Calls Out Bengals Handling of Star Contracts, Free Agency

Cincinnati is trying to improve on a 9-8 record this coming season.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1), quarterback Joe Burrow (9) and wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) take the field as captains for the coin toss before the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — Ringer founder and media personality Bill Simmons didn't hold back with his thoughts about the Bengals' offseason so far.

He said the team is "f*****" operating contract negotiation like it does during a movie-based awards segment on The Bill Simmons Podcast.

"This next award is from Bridesmaids," Simmons began. "It's the Annie takes sedatives and has a drink on the airplane award for single-worst game plan, that goes to the Cincinnati Bengals, who seem to be the only team that doesn't realize you should just pay your guys six months early instead of a year and a half too late. 

"And a lot of people have been talking about this this week, but they're just f***** because they have to take care of [Ja'Marr] Chase. They franchise tag [Tee] Higgins. He'll probably hold out. [Trey] Hendrickson wants a trade. And then in the middle of this, they paid $8 million a year for Mike Gesicki. So you guys need to find money, but you're also gonna pay this tight end. This is the easiest position to find anybody for $1 million. I don't understand what they're doing. I will say this though, Trey Hendrickson last year was unblockable down the stretch. I know their defense sucked, but that guy was a beast. I don't understand any of this."

The league year officially starts on Wednesday amidst Cincinnati's negotiations with their three stars. Paying each one on long-term deals as early as they could've is the obvious path in hindsight.

Cincinnati has added on the margins so far in free agency, with a few needs left to fill before adding in the draft next month.

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