The Cincinnati Bengals currently possess approximately $50.4 million in salary cap space for the 2026 NFL season. While this provides some financial flexibility, the team faces pressing needs, especially on defense, where significant improvements are necessary. Key defensive players such as Trey Hendrickson, Mike Hilton, and Geno Stone have contracts expiring soon and may enter free agency, making the team’s financial outlook even more complicated.
Fortunately, the Bengals have strategies available to further enhance their available cap space, which could be critical in addressing their defensive shortcomings. Any increase in cap room would allow Cincinnati to pursue vital roster upgrades during the offseason.
Restructuring Contracts of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase Could Create Major Cap Space
Reports from Sports Illustrated reveal that the Bengals could significantly increase their salary cap by restructuring contracts belonging to quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. By making adjustments to these two key players’ deals, Cincinnati could free up an additional $32.52 million in cap space.
Specifically, restructuring Burrow’s contract alone could save $19.228 million, while adjusting Chase’s contract might yield $13.292 million in extra salary cap relief. Together, this would nearly double the team’s cap room from about $52 million to close to $85 million, enabling greater financial flexibility for acquisitions this offseason.
This expanded cap space could be the deciding factor in whether the Bengals are able to re-sign crucial defensive free agents such as Trey Hendrickson, Bryan Cook, Devin Lloyd, and Jaelen Phillips, all of whom will be unrestricted free agents soon.
“The Bengals currently have over $52 million in cap space, which ranks seventh in the NFL. That number would jump by $32.52 million if they restructured Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase’s current contracts. They could save $19.228 million in cap space by restructuring Burrow’s contract. They’d save $13.292 million by restructuring Chase’s contract. Suddenly, the Bengals would go from having $52 million in space to nearly $85 million in room to work with this offseason. This is a no-brainer for a team that needs to make significant additions on defense.” – Sports Illustrated
Colin Cowherd Voices Concern Over Bengals’ Playoff Prospects and Burrow’s Future
On a recent episode of The Herd, sports commentator Colin Cowherd expressed a bleak outlook on the Bengals’ ability to make the playoffs with Joe Burrow leading the team. Cowherd suggested that continued postseason failures might prompt Burrow to consider a move elsewhere, seeking a team with a stronger chance of success.
He predicted that if the Bengals fail to reach the playoffs again, Burrow could request a trade to a franchise led by top-tier offensive coaches like Sean McVay or Kevin O’Connell. Cowherd framed this as not just a matter of player dissatisfaction, but also an embarrassment for Cincinnati’s management, which has yet to build a championship-caliber team despite Burrow’s talents.
“I think Burrow misses the playoffs again, and he’s moving. I think he’s just gonna say ‘I’m out’. And I think he’ll say ‘call the Rams, I’m going to McVay. Call the Niners’. It’ll be one of these Kevin O’Connell, McVay, high end offensive coaches. You’d think Cincinnati would be embarrassed by it? That you have Joe Burrow and you can’t get into the playoffs? That would be kind of embarrassing. It speaks upstairs, not to Burrow.” – Colin Cowherd, Sports Commentator
Burrow, who will turn 30 this December, is approaching the prime years of his NFL career. Given that the Bengals have not returned to the Super Bowl since their appearance five years ago and have missed the playoffs in recent seasons, the quarterback might seek a more competitive environment during his remaining peak years.
Financial Decisions This Offseason Could Shape Bengals’ Competitive Outlook
With multiple defensive free agents on the market and substantial cap space potentially available through contract restructuring, Cincinnati stands at a pivotal moment. How aggressively the Bengals manage Joe Burrow’s and Ja’Marr Chase’s contracts could directly impact their ability to strengthen weak areas, particularly on defense.
Moving forward, the team’s front office will need to carefully consider restructuring options to maximize flexibility, aiming to build a roster capable of returning to postseason contention and possibly avoiding the discontent that Colin Cowherd has highlighted.
