The biggest moves the Cincinnati Bengals will make this offseason involve extending their own players. 

A new contract for Joe Burrow is a given. Tee Higgins and Logan Wilson are in the plans as well. 

Retaining your best players is how good teams stay in the conversation every year, and that goes beyond the ones who stand atop of the salary cap sheet. 

The way Cincinnati manages the cap ensures enough space every year to bring back quality complementary pieces and starters. While some clubs are restructuring away to create space, the Bengals take advantage of cap room set up by planning years ahead. 

Unfortunately, that doesn't mean everyone can stay. Notable veterans such as Jessie Bates III and Germaine Pratt are set to hit the open market and are unlikely to return. The Bengals are a better team with them, but cap space and, more importantly, cash aren't unlimited for the franchise.

With Bates and Pratt's inevitable departures in mind, retaining these three players will be vital for the Bengals' offseason success. 

Hayden Hurst

This relationship just worked from the beginning. Hurst may never be a dominant tight end, but he doesn't have to be when the wide receivers rule the scheme. He showed up in the moments given to him. He embraces the culture around him. He fits with the team like a glove. 

A deep tight end draft class may ultimately make or break this reunion. The free agent market at the position shouldn't be too lucrative considering the influx of young talent set to enter the league. At the same time, the Bengals may want to get younger at the position with an early-round pick.

Keeping Hurst on a modest deal and indulging this talented draft class feels like the right move for the present and the future. 

Tre Flowers

As one of the best midseason acquisitions the club has made in a long time, Flowers has carved out a useful niche role in defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's secondary. He often gets labeled as just the guy who matches up with tight ends, but his role expands beyond that. And he plays it well enough to stick around for at least another year.

Flowers coming back would instill some continuity at Cornerback, but his re-signing alone won't be enough. The position group is filled with unknowns from Eli Apple's free agency, to Chidobe Awuzie's ACL recovery. Flowers returning would alleviate at least some of the stress.

Vonn Bell

All the reasons listed above for Flowers apply tenfold to Bell. He's everything the franchise signed him to be three years ago, and still just 28 years old. 

The reality is simple: The Bengals are going to spend on a safety to pair next to Dax Hill. Going into the season with Hill and another rookie at the top of the secondary is not an option. They'd prefer it to be Bell, but if he leaves for another team, they'll pivot to another free agent.  

Expect the Bengals to handle him like they did B.J. Hill last year after Larry Ogunjobi left. If they have to give up ground in negotiations, they'll make some room. Another three-year deal with a slight pay raise should work just fine.