What will happen to Bengals stars looking for new contracts?
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
While there is one more game in the 2024 NFL season, the Cincinnati Bengals are already well into preparations for 2025.
Much is yet to be determined, but it is looking like there will be a lot of contract talk this spring and possibly into the summer.
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While Joe Burrow has made a habit of telling anyone with a microphone he wants the team to re-sign Tee Higgins and extend fellow star receiver Ja’Marr Chase (the latter will happen, but we’ll see about the former), star defensive end Trey Hendrickson would like to get some financial stability beyond this year, the last of his current contract after leading the league in sacks in 2024.
Draft season is set to ramp up as well
The Senior Bowl is in the books, and the annual NFL Scouting Combine set for the end of the month in Indianapolis. Pro Days across the country will follow that, then the draft will be held in late April. Here are five players the Bengals could look at with the No. 17 overall pick: LINK.
Thuney trying to make history
The Super Bowl is not only the biggest national event on the sporting calendar every year, there always seems to be a local angle or two.
Lately, Joe Thuney has made sure of that.
The Alter High School graduate/Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman is set to play in the Super Bowl for the fifth time Sunday, and his team is in the big game for the sixth time. (He missed last year’s game because of an injury).
Look for more on Thuney in Sunday’s paper as he tries to match Charles Haley for the second-most Super Bowl rings in history.
Sometimes you need a break or two
Credit: David Jablonski
Credit: David Jablonski
Dayton appeared to get one Tuesday night when Davidson’s unforced error (a late technical foul no one noticed until it had been called) gave the Flyers a chance to halt the Wildcats’ momentum and steady themselves to close out a 69-63 win.
The Flyers won despite not shooting well and not having point guard Malachi Smith, both good signs if they are going to go on a late-season run and make some noise in March.
Next up is a visit from Davidson tonight at 7 p.m. at UD Arena.
Wright State stumbles again
An uneven season continued for the Raiders on Wednesday night with a blowout loss at home to Purdue Fort Wayne. The Mastodons dominated from start to finish in an 87-64 victory as Wright State continues to win/loss, win/loss, win/loss since early January.
More college choices locked in this week
Credit: Marcus Hartman
Credit: Marcus Hartman
The February National Signing Day is not what it used to be from a fan standpoint, but don’t tell that to the high school seniors across the area and beyond who are celebrating their choices this week.
I was in Springfield on Wednesday to meet the Wildcats who are going on to play at the next level and talk about some of the changes to the recruiting landscape over the past few years. READ MORE
Here’s a look at all of the known college football commitments from the area for the class of 2025. Let me know if I missed one at marcus.hartman@coxinc.com.
Ohio State commits more to Day
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
The Buckeyes did not add anyone to a recruiting class that was finalized in December, but the school did announced a further financial commitment to head coach Ryan Day, who is set to be around until 2031 after leading the program to its ninth national championship last month.
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