Cincinnati Bengals News Today
Myles Murphy Reminisces on Draft Time
Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy was selected with the 28th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Clemson defensive lineman had 20 tackles, three tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, and three sacks in his rookie season.
At 22 years old, he knows many of the players that are set to be drafted. Pro Football Network’s Bengals Insider Jay Morrison heard from the second-year Bengal.
“I have a lot of teammates that I played with at Clemson that are in the process now, so they have been asking me a lot of questions as far as, ‘What did you do on draft night?’ and so on,” Murphy said.
On Monday morning, the Bengals began Week 2 of the voluntary portion of the offseason program.
“The biggest thing that I tell them that I was told from vets in the league was just enjoy the night. Don’t be worried about, ‘Oh, why wasn’t I picked yet? Why is my phone not ringing yet?’ Just enjoy the night and enjoy the people around you. Enjoy the experience. That’s my biggest message to all of them right now.”
Jake Browning Earns Two-Year Deal
Jake Browning earned a two-year contract from Cincinnati on Tuesday, worth more than the one-year, league-minimum deal he was expected to get. The Bengals backup quarterback was a completion percentage maestro, hitting on 70.4% of his passes, a league-high mark. Browning had 1,936 passing yards for 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions in nine games and provided a steady hand in Joe Burrow’s absence.
“I take a lot of pride in what I put on tape, and we put on tape as a team,” Browning said via Morrison.
“And, you know, I think for someone like myself, that’s, that’s your résumé. I’m gonna take a lot of pride and a lot of effort to make sure that I’m always putting out good tape and always on my best, even if it’s maybe we don’t have a shot at the playoffs or anything like that, but having some personal pride.”
Director of College Scouting Mike Potts Discusses Draft Philosophy
Bengals director of college scouting Mike Potts discussed finding a variety of players that fit different team needs and build upon strengths throughout the draft. A few areas of need that could be addressed are the offensive line, tight end, and defense.
“There’s a lot of guys that we like up top, and then later second, third, fourth, and so on rounds,” Potts said. “Guys with different strengths, different weaknesses, different backgrounds. So it’s really just about picking your flavor and seeing what fits us best with the Bengals and then stacking those guys on our board and order.”
Local Politician Says NFL ‘Should Be Prepared’ To Pay Over $100 Million in Paycor Stadium Upgrades
Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece stated that the NFL “should be prepared to kick in at least” $100 million for Paycor Stadium upgrades, according to the Cincinnati Business Courier’s Chris Wetterich. He states that it’s the “first time a county official has thrown out a specific figure for a project expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars.”
Reece cited the NFL assisting Nashville with building the Tennessee Titans’ new stadium and the new Buffalo Bills stadium. Nashville is receiving $840 million from the team and the NFL, while taxpayers are on the hook for $2.3 billion, per Tennessee Lookout’s Adam Friedman. As for Buffalo, the Bills and NFL will invest no less than $690 million and Erie County will contribute $250 million, per New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s office.
Paycor Stadium Lease Winding Down
As for other news on the stadium, the 26-year lease ends in June 2026. The Bengals have until June 2025 to exercise the first of five two-year extensions that are written into the lease, per the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Scott Wartman.
“After that exchange in August, the county commissioners in December agreed to make $39 million in repairs and renovations to Paycor Stadium in 2024,” Warman wrote. “The repairs include a new turf, refurbished club seating and an expanded plaza to improve entering and leaving the stadium. This is on top of $39 million in upgrades the Bengals made since Jan. 1, 2022, including improved concession stands and LED ribbon boards.”
