Latest news with #LucasPatrick
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Key takeaways from Bengals OTAs
The Cincinnati Bengals are cruising through the offseason now that mandatory minicamp has concluded, and I'm here to break down what you've missed — just in case you haven't been paying attention. We'll start with the black cloud: Trey Hendrickson's very public contract dispute This back-and-forth has cast a shadow over everything else this offseason. The Bengals' defense allowed an appalling 434 points last year, dragging down Joe Burrow and an otherwise explosive offense and leaving the team with a disappointing 9-8 record. Advertisement Now, they're playing a game of chicken with the only proven pass rusher on the roster. Whether you're on Team Bengals or Team Hendrickson, there's no denying his absence is hurting the team. We're not done with contract issues The Bengals used their first-round pick on Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart, who could, in theory, take Hendrickson's place — if he weren't standing on the sideline alongside him. Stewart, too, is in a contract dispute with the front office and remains one of the few unsigned first-round picks from this year's draft. Guard overhaul under Scott Peters The Bengals cut Alex Cappa and restructured Cordell Volson's deal after both struggled to protect Burrow from interior pressure last season. They signed veteran G/C Lucas Patrick and drafted Dylan Fairchild out of Georgia. Advertisement Cody Ford, Volson, Matt Lee, Jaxson Kirkland, and others are all battling for roster spots, and it remains unclear who will start next to Ted Karras in Week 1 — or whether this revamped unit will be an improvement over last year's. All in on offense While new defensive coordinator Al Golden works to rebuild from the ashes of the 2024 squad, the Bengals appear all-in on their offense. Burrow is healthy, and he's surrounded by Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins — arguably the NFL's top WR duo — for at least the next few seasons. The plan for 2025 looks simple: score early, score often, and force opposing offenses into one-dimensional, catch-up mode. Hopefully, it works better this time than it did a year ago. Al Golden ushers in a new era of defensive success — hopefully Golden takes over for Lou Anarumo, now in Indianapolis, after the Bengals' defense played a leading role in keeping them out of the playoffs last year. Other than the rookies and a few rotational free agents, the 2025 defensive personnel looks very similar to 2024's — meaning it won't take long to see if coaching really was the problem. Advertisement Golden's full plans remain unclear, especially with Hendrickson and Stewart still absent. But frankly, it's going to be hard to be worse than last year's unit. Two players who drew good reviews in OTAs were veteran defensive tackle TJ Slaton and second-round rookie linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. They may end up being the two biggest upgrades the Bengals defense gets this year, especially if Shemar Stewart continues to sit out and miss valuable development when training camp begins. Stadium upgrade plans Paycor Stadium's lease is quickly running out, and the Brown/Blackburn family is deep in negotiations with Hamilton County. Predictably, things in the Queen City are getting messy. Advertisement Expect this to get uglier before it gets resolved in the coming weeks. Not messing around During one OTA session, Burrow threw an interception on a pass intended for Mike Gesicki — one that Cam Taylor-Britt jumped for a pick. The corner, in need of a bounce-back year, wasn't shy about celebrating it. On the very next play, though, Burrow hit Chase deep, burning DJ Turner for what would've been a touchdown. That's the edge this team seems to have taken into the offseason. They took one on the chin last year and appear determined to prove it was an exception, not the rule. Spotlight on the front office The 2024 9-8 season will go down as one of the NFL's wildest statistical outliers. How many teams will you ever see with: Advertisement A quarterback posting 4,900 yards, 43 TDs, and 9 INTs, A wide receiver winning the Triple Crown, and A defensive end leading the league in sacks... Yet somehow miss the playoffs? The football world came down hard on the Bengals' front office this offseason — and deservedly so. Now, with public contract disputes and ugly stadium lease talks swirling, much of the goodwill earned from two deep playoff runs has been spent. All eyes are on the Brown/Blackburn family to right the ship. What were your biggest takeaways from OTAs? Let us know on Twitter and in the comments section! Who Dey!! More from
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bengals' free-agency addition issues message to fans
New Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Lucas Patrick is hyped to join the team and compete for a starting spot in 2025. Patrick said as much on social media right after word went public about his signing a one-year deal with the team. But Patrick also linked up with the team's official website and detailed his expectations upon arrival. "Come in and compete," Patrick said, according to Geoff Hobson of "See how things shake out. I know there's still a draft and they're probably filling out some more spots. But I'm just fired up to be a Bengal and work with the staff and the players who are here. There are some pretty elite players who will be exciting to be teammates with from what I've seen from a far." That's spot on as far as the outlook, given the current roster makeup and the structure of Patrick's deal. Patrick will have a chance to compete for a starting job, but just like Cody Ford, the versatility he brings to a sixth or seventh spot off the bench is huge. Speaking of Ford, barring a shocker of a move, he'll have a chance to compete for a starting job, too. The Bengals could add another guard as high as the first round in the upcoming draft, but Ford and now Patrick will be in the mix at both spots. WHO DEY!!!!! Stoked for year 10 with the @Bengals — Lucas Patrick (@lucaspatrick62) March 21, 2025 This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals' free-agency addition issues message to fans
USA Today
21-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Report: Ex-Saints OG Lucas Patrick signs one-year deal with Bengals
Report: Ex-Saints OG Lucas Patrick signs one-year deal with Bengals The New Orleans Saints tried to bring back a veteran offensive lineman earlier this offseason, but he instead has opted to go to a new team. John Sheeran of AtoZSports reported on Friday afternoon that the Cincinnati Bengals are signing offensive guard Lucas Patrick to a one-year deal worth $2.1 million. It was known that he had visited the team yesterday, things must have gone well as he quickly decided to join them. Patrick previously met with the Seattle Seahawks while weighing an offer to return to New Orleans. Patrick spent last year with the Saints and ended up starting 10 games (appearing in 11). His role would have been even bigger, but injury issues kept him from seeing the field consistently in the latter half of the season. Patrick didn't get a huge pay increase to leave the Saints, but he could have a better chance to get guaranteed playing time. The Bengals offensive line has needed some work for a long time and the veteran has a great chance to win a starting job in camp.
