This offseason is an important one for the Cincinnati Bengals. It could be the last time that they have the means to make aggressive moves in the offseason as their roster is going to get very expensive in the coming years.
We already saw some effects of that this offseason as starting safeties Jessie Bates III and Von Bell both moved on in free agency. Tight end Hayden Hurst also left Cincinnati. The team did make one big splash, signing offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to shore up the blocking in front of Joe Burrow.
Speaking of Burrow, he is one of the players that is going to be in line for a massive extension soon, which the Bengals need to begin preparing for. After they are done working out a deal with him, it will be Ja’Marr Chase’s turn. They also have to figure out what to do with Tee Higgins, who is entering the final season of his rookie contract.
With so much money going to be tied up very soon, the Bengals need to make some bold moves to maximize their financial window. Upgrading the pass rush could certainly be a possibility, with Khalil Mack being the ideal target.
Mack had his contract restructured this offseason but is set to have massive cap hits this season and in 2024. Knowing that a change could be on the horizon anyway, the Los Angeles Chargers could look to trade him now and get some compensation in return.
The draft picks and cap savings that the Chargers would receive could be too good to pass up. The Bengals have all of their draft picks and should not hesitate to land an established player of Mack’s caliber.
What would it cost to land Mack? The Chargers traded a second and sixth-round pick to the Chicago Bears last year for him. The Bengals could offer their third and sixth-round pick and see if the Chargers bite on it.
While it would likely be a one-year rental, an elite pass rusher could help get the Bengals over the top after losing in the Super Bowl to conclude the 2021 season and in the AFC Championship in the 2022 campaign. A game-breaking pass rusher is the one thing the team is missing and Mack would provide their defense with a much-needed huge boost.
