The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off a very disappointing 2024 season, accumulating a 9-8 record, finishing third in the AFC North and missing out on the playoffs.
However, they're now gearing up for the offseason, which could mean some major changes to help improve the roster.
As noted by Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus, one move could be to let go of defensive end Sam Hubbard, who is entering the final year of his four-year $40 million contract.
"His 6.3% pass-rush win rate was his lowest since 2020, and his 58.9 overall PFF grade was a career-worst," he wrote. "Assuming that Cincinnati can iron out a deal with sack leader Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals will still possess one of the NFL's foremost edge defenders. However, it's clear that Cincy can find a better running mate for Hendrickson. Cutting Hubbard would save $9.5 million."
Hubbard's production certainly was down, starting 14 games, accumulating just 41 tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, eight pressures, and six quarterback knockdowns.
Of course, that $9.5 million potentially saved in Hubbard's cutting would go a long way toward potentially bringing back wide receiver Tee Higgins, who's set to hit free agency and has a market value of $25.4 million annually.
If the Bengals didn't want to give that money to Higgins, it could instead go to Hendrickson, who has been very adamant about wanting an extension or to be traded and is set to hit the open market after the season.
