Cincinnati — Scenes from inside the Cincinnati Bengals’ locker room served as a reminder of the team’s impending reality the day after the season came to an official conclusion.
After games, players from opposing teams who are friendly with one another usually exchange jerseys with personalized notes. Others packed their things into bags or boxes, bid farewell to the town, and headed out. And some spoke of an uncertain future.
Among them was DJ Reader, a defensive tackle who was instrumental in Cincinnati’s reconstruction. Reader’s fourth season with the Bengals and his last one under his current deal came to an end in Week 15 due to a right quad injury. Reader wondered what free agency would hold for him and when this Bengals era would come to an end as he stood on crutches.
Furthermore, he was clueless.
Reader commented, “It’s kind of interesting,” on January 8. “Last time, I was in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ll be in the midst of this [injury predicament] this time. You never know. I’m not sure what to expect.”
Reader will be one of the few important Bengals who could join with a new team when free agency opens on March 11. The Bengals’ cap room will be little less than $60 million, per OverTheCap.com.
Additionally, Cincinnati will need to make a few crucial choices before a crucial 2024 campaign.
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