Bengals Trade for Dexter Lawrence

[DoURant]

Hurst or Lance might fit that mold nicely. Even if not a Watson replacement. Could you imagine a '26 receiving room of:
Watson
Hurst/Lance
Golden
Reed
Savion
Moore

Add De'Zhaun Stribling to those two guys. If they draft any WR early, I would think Watson or Reed will be playing their last season in Green Bay.

 

[El Guapo]

Hurst or Lance might fit that mold nicely. Even if not a Watson replacement. Could you imagine a '26 receiving room of:
Watson
Hurst/Lance
Golden
Reed
Savion
Moore

There would be a lot of potential in that room, but no reliable veterans. Watson and Reed have the potential but struggle to stay on the field. If that is our WR group in 2026, I think that we will be talking about how young they are and the struggles Love is having to find a consistent target. This obviously leaves out Tucker Kraft, who should be a big part of the receiving corps.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Add De'Zhaun Stribling to those two guys. If they draft any WR early, I would think Watson or Reed will be playing their last season in Green Bay.

In theory, I agree with you. However, the only problem Gute might face is trying to determine if the rookie he drafted will step up in 2027 and beyond. It's been a long time since the Packers had a rookie WR shine his first year. I'm also looking at the Packer WR depth chart and when will a rookie WR get in and play?

While having a decent depth of WR's is a good problem to have and why they let Doubs walk, 3 of the top 4 are in the final year of their contracts.

 

[OldSchool101]

Hurst or Lance might fit that mold nicely. Even if not a Watson replacement. Could you imagine a '26 receiving room of:
Watson
Hurst/Lance
Golden
Reed
Savion
Moore

I know you’re high on Hurst and understandable. I kinda like Lance he’s very similar in many ways to a Watson type. If we lock down an Edge or DT or CB in RD2? I’d be happy even with a small trade up into the later 70’s for Lance. Reminds me of Watson in many ways.

 

[Pkrjones]

I know you’re high on Hurst and understandable. I kinda like Lance he’s very similar in many ways to a Watson type. If we lock down an Edge or DT in RD2? I’d be happy even with a small trade up into the later 70’s for Lance. Reminds me of Watson in many ways.

I'd actually prefer Lance, as well, but I know Hurst has been mentioned much more on Packer sites so is the more commonly linked 2/3 Rnd WR.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'd actually prefer Lance, as well, but I know Hurst has been mentioned much more on Packer sites so is the more commonly linked 2/3 Rnd WR.

I think they have a better change at getting Lance after Round 2. I would hate to see them use their #52 on Hurst or Lance, but think Hurst will be gone by the time they are on the clock in Round 3. All that assumes Gute hangs on to his current picks.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I am sure that the Bengals worked out this extension with Lawrence ahead of the trade.

Here is the full breakdown of the contract, according to a source with knowledge of the terms:

1. Lawrence receives a $10 million roster bonus on the day of execution of the deal.

2. 2026 base salary: $11 million.

3. 2026 per game active roster bonuses: $1 million total.

4. 2027 base salary: $15.5 million.

5. 2027 option on first 10th day of league year: $8.25 million.

6. 2027 per-game active roster bonuses: $1 million total.

7. 2027 workout bonus: $250,000.

8. 2028 base salary: $21.75 million.

9. 2028 per-gamer active roster bonuses: $1 million total.

10. 2028 workout bonus: $250,000.

In all, it’s a three-year, $70 million deal with $42 million leftover and $28 million in new money.

Thanks for the details Poker. Well this is a lot less expensive than if they had kept Hendrickson, I think.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Yup and I would prefer the bolded part. 17+ games is a long season and injuries typically take their toll. Even more important, players can drop off in production and then what?

I'm looking for Gute to try and find a Christian Watson like replacement in the draft. Watson is a good player, but possibly not a player that they want to add to that top portion of their salary chart.

Seattle is a good example of having a well-rounded roster versus 3 or 4 talented guys eating too much cap.

I don't recall the positions, but I think Seattle had two rookies who started in the SB. Granted, that's rare. But it supports the point that the way to a championship is to have talented depth. Relying on 3 or 4 guys to carry a team to a SB win is possible, just very unlikely.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Seattle is a good example of having a well-rounded roster versus 3 or 4 talented guys eating too much cap.

I don't recall the positions, but I think Seattle had two rookies who started in the SB. Granted, that's rare. But it supports the point that the way to a championship is to have talented depth. Relying on 3 or 4 guys to carry a team to a SB win is possible, just very unlikely.

Yup and one might argue that this is the area where Gute has somewhat floundered as a GM, his drafting. Nobody needs to put up a list of all his hits, because he has had those too. However, the absolute failure of quite a few of his picks has lead to noticeable holes in the roster each season. That has lead to the need to sign higher priced free agents, as well as go back and use more draft picks at the positions of those players that he didn't hit on.