Bengals' key offseason dates for NFL free agency, draft and more
The Cincinnati Bengals head for an offseason where they apparently plan to spend big around Joe Burrow .
We’ll see if those rumblings about the Bengals in free agency come to fruition. But one thing firmly established is the timeline Zac Taylor and those in the Cincinnati front office will follow as the offseason unfolds.
Here’s a quick outline of the key upcoming dates to know.
Bengals’ key offseason dates
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February 17-March 3: Franchise tag window
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February 23-March 2: NFL combine
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March 9-11: NFL Free agency "legal tampering" window
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March 11: NFL free agency
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April 23-25: NFL Draft
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The Bengals have plenty of cap space to use after the NFL’s big reveal about the salary cap. Some will go to their own free agents and the draft class, but there’s ample room for outside additions.
Trey Hedrickson is the big franchise tag candidate to watch. It seems unlikely, given how things have gone between the two parties over the years. But the Bengals like to have leverage and control, which they do, via the tag.
Overall, the big focus of these dates for the Bengals will be the defense. Perhaps they draft a future-minded offensive lineman as early as Round 1, depending on how free agency goes for the defense. But overall, the big need isn’t hard to figure out.
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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals' key offseason dates for NFL free agency, draft and more
