The Ringer typically puts out great work, but their latest take about the Cincinnati Bengals is one that I just can't get behind.

On Monday morning, The Ringer put out an article that details how "all-in" each NFL team is. Their method of determining this takes draft picks (value of the pick, not the player) and free agent spending (extensions as well) into account.

Using that method, The Ringer determined that the Bengals are the No. 16 most "all-in" team in the NFL.

They have Cincinnati below the Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, and Washington Commanders (among others).

I like the concept of the idea from The Ringer. And while their method isn't terrible, it's flawed because it doesn't take into account the actual state of the roster and what teams might be preparing for in the future.

If the Bengals don't make any major roster additions, they'll likely be at the top of this list in two years.

That's because Cincinnati has two generational players in Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase that are still on their rookie contracts. Based on their production last season, they're massively underpaid.

The Bengals know they'll have to extend those two players soon (and it won't be cheap). So they're not being foolish and spending a lot on big deals for free agents right now (nor are they giving a player like Jessie Bates a lucrative contract extension).

This doesn't mean that Cincinnati isn't "all-in". It just means they have to be careful about spending so they can ensure that Burrow and Chase stay in Bengals uniforms for the foreseeable future.

Cincinnati went out and addressed their biggest need (offensive line) in free agency by signing three free agents to strong deals this offseason. That's what an "all-in" team does.

The numbers don't always tell the full story. This is one of those times.

The Ringer does great work, but they badly missed the mark on this one.

Featured image via Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK