The Cincinnati Bengals suffered a disappointing 2024 season, missing the playoffs after entering with expectations of a deep run. Star quarterback Joe Burrow putting forth an MVP-caliber effort and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase winning the Triple Crown wasn’t enough for the Bengals to sneak into the AFC playoff race. Now in the offseason, the Bengals have a few major decisions to make as they attempt to keep Chase and fellow star wide receiver Tee Higgins happy with new contracts. Earlier this offseason the Bengals cut ties with veteran defensive lineman Sheldon.
Rankins in an effort to create cap space – the first of several moves designed to keep Chase and Higgins on the team. Just a few weeks later, Cincinnati is adding to its increasing financial flexibility by releasing yet another veteran player. Cincinnati announced it released veteran offensive lineman Alex Cappa, who was a key piece of the team’s run to a Super Bowl appearance. “The Bengals today released G Alex Cappa,” the Bengals said in a statement. “Cappa, who will be an eighth-year player in 2025, joined the Bengals as an unrestricted free agent in the ’22 offseason. He started all 50 regular-season games he played in for Cincinnati at RG.” After suffered an unfortunate ankle injury, though, Cappa’s athleticism and overall performance took a significant hit which made him expendable as the Bengals look to keep their two best offensive weapons. With the move, Cincinnati will save more than $8 million in cap space, bringing their total to nearly $70 million. Earlier this week.
49ers Open to Trading 2024 Leading Rusher Before Free Agency….
he San Francisco 49ers can never have a simple offseason. Every year comes with drama that lingers up until the season-opener. While the new league year has yet to begin, the 49ers are already entrenched in the muddiness of the NFL offseason. New reports have surfaced claiming quarterback Brock Purdy could play out the final year of his rookie contract. Even wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is a hot commodity on the trade market for the second consecutive season. The months between February and September are never simple for the 49ers. And now, even the running back room is starting to receive its fair share of interest. Christian McCaffrey is nearly 100 percent and is scheduled to participate in the team’s offseason program. There are high hopes for Isaac Guerendo leading into his second year, and then there is the uncertainty of 2024 leading rusher Jordan Mason.
Mason, a former undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech, is an impending restricted free agent. As an RFA, the team holds Mason’s contractual rights and can tender him this offseason. Depending on the tender, they can receive a first or second-round pick as compensation if he departs for another team. San Francisco also has the final decision to match any offer he receives.
However, the trade market may be another place the 49ers could look to receive accurate compensation for Mason this offseason.
Jordan Mason’s Trade Market Heating Up
According to NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry, San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason is receiving many trade inquiries at the NFL Combine.
“I asked about Christian McCaffrey’s health. San Francisco has no concerns and fully expects him to be healthy and ready for training camp. “With Jordan Mason as his backup, I asked?” Not necessarily, I was told,” Berry wrote. “There’s actually been a lot of trade inquiries about Mason. Don’t be surprised if Jordan Mason, who proved he could be a legit starting RB in the NFL last season, gets dealt. This is just me talking, but I feel like it’s not an NFL draft until Kyle Shanahan has taken a late-round RB.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter also mentioned Mason as a potential trade candidate on the Pat McAfee show.
“But the Niners, again, for them to play in the free agency sandbox, they’re going to have to find ways to clear out salary,” Schefter concluded, “whether that’s through Brandon Aiyuk or [RB] Jordan Mason or any other player that they don’t bring back or let go. They have to find ways to get money to help field the kind of roster that they want.”
