Bleav in Cincy

On this episode: The Bengals greatly bolstered their quarterback situation recently. Dugger and Taylor will provide a lot of defensive and special teams assistance. What do multiple defensive back signings in free agency mean for the Bengals’ draft plans? What is the state of the Bengals’ roster in the wake of their free agency signings? Zac Taylor’s comments at the recent owner’s meetings. And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The NFL Draft is nearly upon us! The Bengals may not have checked every box in free agency, but they checked enough boxes to give them the flexibility to draft the best available player with the 10th overall pick, rather than trying to fill a need. So who will it be? Could it be Sonny Styles? A moment ago, you were probably curing me saying that they haven't done enough in free agency and the word "Linebacker" surely came into your mind. Well, Zac Taylor repeated at the NFL owners meeting coaches' breakfast what he and Al Golden have said countless times before. Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter were in a tough situation as a starting tandem of linebackers and they kept getting better. You can believe that or not, but whether or not it is true, I Zac Taylor thinks it's true, and that is all that really matters. It wasn't coach speak. They genuinely think those guys can get it done. This is backed up by their approach to free agency. They spent big on a safety and an edge, then added an interior pass rusher. There may have been some interest in adding a linebacker, but we know they were never in on the top of the market guys. The weren't going to put Bryan Cook or Boye Mafe money into a linebacker. Why? Because they like the guys they have. So why Sonny Styles? Because he is a dude, that's why. Of course, it has felt all along like it will be a cornerback. Mansoor Delane and Jermod McCoy each put up crazy performances at their respective pro days. Matt and Willie talk about this duo and which one of them in the best fit in Cincinnati. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: Some final thoughts on Trey Hendrickson and how the Ravens handled that situation. Any truth to the Maxx Crosby trade rumors linking the Bengals? How do we feel about the Allen signing and Brown’s extension? What may be next for the team in free agency A little bit about draft buzz with workouts underway. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It was a slow start to free agency for the Bengals, but noon turned into afternoon, the Bengals made their moves Seriously, they made both of their moves, and it's been radio silence for two days. I mean what is that about? But I digress. The team made two pick signings. They signed Bryan Cook who was widely seen as the top safety in free agency. Finally, they did something to solidify that position in a meaningful way. The former Cincinnati Bearcat comes home. Tears in his eyes, I suppose. This was a great move for the Bengals, but it was not enough. Should we do one more? Let's do one more. Okay, one more it is. People have asked, "Who is this year's Trey Hendrikson." Well, it might just be Boye Mafe. They gave the young edge rusher a huge contract betting more on his future than his past. Like Hendrickson he might be right on the fringe of his breakout The excitement from these moves slowly decreased then to turned largely into rage as we got into Wednesday night and there was still no third move. It's coming. I'm telling you, it's coming. They have the money. The Bengals were also involved in the John Franklin-Myers sweepstake, but despite an initial report from a phony Twitter account, Ed McMahon did not come knocking on their door. Logan Hall was the other name to consider in this unimpressive lineup of interior rushers, but he went to Houston on the cheap, so it appears the Bengals were not in on that deal. Which is wired because it would have made a lot of sense. I am not totally confident in Hall, but he has the versatility to play the run on the edge, which would at least give them some value if he didn't pan out as an interior rusher. Speaking of making sense, let's talk Leo Chenel. He would have made a lot of sense for this defense. He is a linebacker who has some crazy athletic traits, is young, and has that oh so important ability to line up on the edge. He would have been an excellent complement to Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight, but alas, it was not meant to be. He wound up in Washington on a very reasonable deal. There was lots of talk from the fan base about Devin Lloyd, but apparently they were never involved even though everybody and their brother has been reporting that they have been interested in him. Perhaps it is Ezekiel Elliott all over again. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: -The Bengals brought Bryan Cook back home to Cincinnati and he fills a major defensive need. -Cincinnati also agreed to terms to defensive lineman Boye Mafe from the Seahawks. -Which players may be next on the docket for them? -A few former Bengals signed elsewhere on Monday, as well. -And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: At last, some finality with the Trey Hendrickson situation. Dalton Risner is back with the Bengals and it's an early, positive key to the team's free agency period. What are the biggest needs for the Bengals heading into free agency at the draft? Who are the players we'd most want in free agency at defensive line, linebacker and safety? Our Pre-Combine Three-Round mock draft! And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: -Dissecting the recent quotes from Duke Tobin, Zac Taylor, Al Golden and Dan Pitcher. -Who are the known prospects with whom the Bengals have had visits thus far? -What's the latest Combine buzz around certain players? -Sonny Styles is a dynamic linebacker and could be in play for Cincinnati at No. 10. -And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: More updates on Trey Hendrickson. The Bengals re-signed some key young depth pieces ahead of free agency. Some thoughts from NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah and his media conference call. Might an intriguing slot receiver be in play for the Bengals at No. 41 overall? A versatile, but older defensive lineman could provide help along Cincinnati's defensive line. And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Matt and Willie Know Ball, your favorite ball-knowers discuss the idea of a Trey Hendrickson tag and trade. Tagging a player does not mean you are on the hook for that money. Quite the contrary. You can rescind the tag at any time before it is signed, and Hendrickson will be in no hurry to sign it. He wants out. He wants more than a one-year deal. Hendrickson has no intention of playing another down for the Bengals, but they should not let him walk out the door for nothing. Yes, he is in his 30s. Yes, he is coming off an injury. Yes, whoever acquires him is going to have to pay him a hefty fee. It doesn't matter. He is still the top free agent. He is still a year removed from leading the league in sacks. He is still a guy who had 35 sacks in two years. No, they aren't going to get what the Dallas Cowboys got for Micah Parsons. Parsons is 6 years younger and wasn't coming off a season ending injury. They can however get something. It starts with a third. That should be the asking price, a third round pick in 2026. If a few teams are interested in him for that, maybe it becomes a little more. Maybe a day three pick or a player is added. Maybe the third even becomes a second. Or maybe it goes the other way and you only get a fifth round pick. Who cares? It is something! The idea that it could be Kenny Clark occurred to me until I saw his contract. If I have a choice between Trey for $30 million or Clark for $20 million, the Treys have it. But maybe the next unappreciated B.J. Hill type is out there somewhere waiting for his moment to shine. Like a peacock, you gotta let him fly. We also talk about the Jalen Davis extension. Not only is it crat news, it was the next thing that needed to happen before we get to Dalton Risner. Both Davis and Risner stepped in and solidified the team this season. They should both be very reasonably priced compared to what their contribution to the team is. These are guys you've got to sign. There is no reason to create a need on your roster. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: The Trey Hendrickson saga continues... It's obvious that the Bengals defense needs help--what's the best avenue? A former Chiefs linebacker could bring a versatile skill set to greatly aid the Bengals. Peter Woods is a polarizing, but talented interior defensive lineman in this year's draft. And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hot take alert! I (Matt) like Caleb Downs but find the prospect of drafting him at 10 rather uninspiring. I feel like I'm going out on a limb saying this. The consensus appears to be very high on Downs. There is, of course, the fact that he is a safety and safeties rarely go on the top 10. Honestly. I don't really care about that. It's not about position value. It is the lack of special traits. Downs is a good player who I would love to have on the Bengals defense, but I don't know if there is anything about him that is special. I know. You hate me, right? Not only is it a controversial take, but about a Buckeye no less. For shame. Can Willie talk him out of it? He's pretty high on Downs. Not only that, he's a true Ohio State guy. Surely Willie can talk some sense into me. Right? There is only one way to find out. Tune in to hear why I haven't bought in on Downs and see if Willie can bring me back into the light. Then we randomly veered off into a long conversation about pass rushers and money ball. What do the Bengals need to do to fix their pass rush? Is it on the inside? Is it on the outside? Is it in house? Is it in free agency? Is it in the draft? Maybe it's Maxx Crosby. Maybe it's Jeffery Simmons. Sorry, it's not Trey Hendrickson at this point. Matt and Willie discuss how to replace Giambi, I mean Henderickson. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on Matt and Willie Know Ball, the duo dips their toes into the waters of what is to come. The Bengals need help. We all know that it’s true. The good news is that they have money to spend and draft picks to select. So who should be the targets? Defense is the obvious need, which is a pretty broad statement and yet quite true. The defense was so bad in 2024, that it got Lou Anarumo fired and it was arguably worse in 2025. That puts Al Golden in a very awkward position and he looks to lead his unit on a massive turnaround next season. Whether it was the volume knob or the AM/PM, last year, the Bengals slept through most of free agency. In de facto general manager Duke Tobin historic post season press conference he proclaimed his affection for pass rushers and his deep desire to address that dire need, But to equate head coach Zac Taylor “I hear better than I see.” Will Duke put his money where his mouth is, or the Brown family’s money where his mouth is to be more accurate? He had better. Matt and Willie each share one of their favorite Bengals targets in both free agency and the draft. Not surprisingly, all four players are on defense. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: Chase Brown talks about the Offensive Line improvement last year. Tee Higgins and Chase Brown talk about the Bengals' mindset heading into 2026. the duo gives their thoughts about Dan Pitcher's abilities as an OC. And much more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Some coaching dominoes are starting to fall, as the Conference Championship Games are this weekend. John and Anthony also look at a couple of intriguing prospects from out West that could intrigue the Bengals. Presented by FanDuel: https://www.fanduel.com/ Presented by FOCO: https://www.foco.com/collections/Cinc... Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jason and Alex are back to discuss the Bengals' last two losses to the Bills and Ravens. They talk about being eliminated from the playoffs for the third consecutive year, and the fact there will likely be no coaching changes. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.