Bengаlѕ Creаte $10 Mіllіon In Cаp Spаce Amіd Jа'Mаrr Cһаѕe, Tee Hіggіnѕ Drаmа

The Cincinnati Bengals have long held a reputation for being stingy with NFL contracts. But as free agency looms for several of their most important players, the team appears to be making moves to ensure they can keep them.

On Friday, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported that the Bengals are releasing defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins in a move that will clear nearly $10 million in cap space. The move will give the Bengals upwards of $60 million in cap space as free agency approached in a few weeks.

"#Bengals releasing DT Sheldon Rankins saves $9.6M on the cap. Rankins, who signed a two-year free agency deal with Cincinnati last offseason, had a tough year while battling viral meningitis," Fowler wrote on X.

More importantly, the move frees up more than enough space for the Bengals to offer lucrative contract extensions to star wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and/or Tee Higgins. It remains to be seen if they truly will offer top wideout money to two wide receivers though.

Chase won the NFL receiving Triple Crown in 2024, leading the league with 127 receptions for 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns - all career highs. For his efforts, Chase earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors and finished third in Offensive Player of the Year voting along with an eighth-place finish in the MVP vote.

Higgins may not have been as prolific as Chase was this past season, but was still very impactful. In just 12 games and with far fewer targets than Chase had, Higgins had 73 catches for 911 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns. 

With not one, but two wide receivers who could be due No. 1 wide receiver money in 2025, the Bengals are in a bit of a bind. 

Chase is under contract for the 2025 season but could force if he feels lowballed on an extension offer. 

Higgins is heading into free agency and the Bengals probably don't want to use the franchise tag on him, so they need to reach a deal before he hits the open market.

Do the Bengals have the determination - and the money - to sign both Chase and Higgins to long-term deals this year?