NFL BREAKING ESPN NEWS: following turning down $72 million 3-years offer from Cincinnati Bengals 23 hours ago, its has been announced and confirmed by Cincinnati Bengals General Manager that Franchise Wide-Receiver Ja’Marr Chase has agreed a move to Indianapolis Colts to Partner with Micheal Pittmaan Jr., Shockingly after rejecting Cincinnati Bengals offer, the 25-years agreed a Franchise Record Six-years $153 million Max Contracts, As QB Richardson finally got his offensive Star power, this trade has been confirmed 5-minutes ago after 17 hours negotiations…Bengals will receive $10m in cash plus…see details below….
Bengals Make Major Roster Move Amid Ja’Marr Chase Tee Higgins Talks…
The Cincinnati Bengals suffered a disappointing 2024 season, missing the playoffs after entering with expectations of a deep run. Star quarterback Joe Burrow putting forth an MVP-caliber effort and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase winning the Triple Crown wasn’t enough for the Bengals to sneak into the AFC playoff race. Now in the offseason, the Bengals have a few major decisions to make as they attempt to keep Chase and fellow star wide receiver Tee Higgins happy with new contracts. Earlier this offseason the Bengals cut ties with veteran defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins in an effort to create cap space – the first of several moves designed to keep Chase and Higgins on the team.
Just a few weeks later, Cincinnati is adding to its increasing financial flexibility by releasing yet another veteran player. Cincinnati announced it released veteran offensive lineman Alex Cappa, who was a key piece of the team’s run to a Super Bowl appearance. “The Bengals today released G Alex Cappa,” the Bengals said in a statement. “Cappa, who will be an eighth-year player in 2025, joined the Bengals as an unrestricted free agent in the ’22 offseason. He started all 50 regular-season games he played in for Cincinnati at RG.” After suffered an unfortunate ankle injury, though, Cappa’s athleticism and overall performance took a significant hit which made him expendable as the Bengals look to keep their two best offensive weapons. With the move, Cincinnati will save more than $8 million in cap space, bringing their total to nearly $70 million. Earlier this week The Athletic’s Dianna Russini revealed the latest on the talks involving Higgins and Chase.
“With the possibility of the franchise tag being placed on Tee Higgins, I was told Bengals decision-makers are stressing the need to get a long-term deal done with the 26-year-old. The organization has not informed Higgins’ side about whether he will be tagged before Tuesday’s deadline,” Russini said of Higgins. Se revealed Chase received an offer from the Bengals, but the two sides “remain far apart in talks for now.”
Indianapolis Colts linked to stunning move in NFL free agency that could lead to Anthony Richardson trade….
A notable NFL insider believes the Indianapolis Colts could be a serious suitor for the top quarterback available in free agency this month.
After an unexpected 11-5 season in 2020, the Colts have missed the NFL playoffs the last four seasons and have had three different head coaches in that time. While there are many reasons for frustration over the last few years, the biggest issue the franchise has not been able to address is the quarterback spot.
Since 2020, Indianapolis has had five different starting quarterbacks. Yet, the hope was that they had found a future franchise signal caller when they used the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Florida star Anthony Richardson. Unfortunately, the 22-year-old stud athlete has not been able to evolve his game to the level needed to be a consistent impact player at the highest level.
The Colts going after Sam Darnold would be a stunning development this month. Furthermore, if he gets to free agency he is likely going to land a deal that takes up a large chunk of the $35 million Indy will have available this offseason. However, they do have a good roster and played well at times the last two years with Joe Flacco and Gardner Minshew under center.
Sam Darnold stats (2024): 4,319 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 102.5 passer rating
Signing Darnold to a huge multi-year deal would definitely stir up speculation that Anthony Richardson could be on the trade block. And some QB needy teams that aren’t in love with the prospects available in this year’s draft will certainly reach out about Richardson.
