The major change that happened with the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday because of Joe Burrow
We all knew the Cincinnati Bengals' key focus this offseason would be on their offensive line. And on Monday, that's exactly what they addressed. The Bengals have agreed to sign guard Alex Cappa to a four-year deal worth $40 million. Cappa is a 27-year-old offensive lineman who spent the first four years of his career […]
We all knew the Cincinnati Bengals' key focus this offseason would be on their offensive line.
And on Monday, that's exactly what they addressed.
The Bengals have agreed to sign guard Alex Cappa to a four-year deal worth $40 million.
Cappa is a 27-year-old offensive lineman who spent the first four years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He's not a super-athletic offensive lineman, but he has great technique and he's one of the toughest players in the NFL. Cappa broke his arm in a game in 2019 and actually finished the game. Then in 2020, Cappa broke his leg in the playoffs and attempted to play through it. Unbelievable toughness.
Cincinnati also agreed to sign guard/center Ted Karras on Monday. Karras is a 28-year-old offensive lineman who played with the New England Patriots this past year.
The deal that Cappa is receiving from the Bengals (he can't officially sign until Wednesday) have an average annual value of $10 million. According to The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr, that doubles the highest AAV that Cincinnati has ever paid a guard.
Karras' deal is worth $18 million over three years. So that's still more than the Bengals had ever previously paid a guard (when it comes to AAV).
Why the out-of-character spending frenzy?
It's all because of Joe Burrow, of course.
The Bengals tasted the Super Bowl this season and it was because of Burrow. And they know that to win a Super Bowl, they have to invest in an elite team around Burrow.
Cincinnati is changing the way they operate as a franchise. Burrow has changed the mentality of everyone associated with the Bengals. This is a franchise that has confidence now. They know Burrow did a lot with a little in 2021. Imagine what he could do with an above-average roster?
The Joe Burrow effect is real. He's already made everyone on the Bengals' roster better. And now he's making the front office better.
It's not wise to make predictions, but I don't think it's going to be long before Cincinnati is planning a Super Bowl parade.
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
