The Cincinnati Bengals moved on from some big names on defense this offseason.
Biggest of all, of course, was Trey Hendrickson.
But it’s almost easy to forget that the Bengals lost fellow edge rusher Joseph Ossai in free agency, too.
But it feels like the Bengals might emerge as looking really smart for not bringing back Ossai. It’s early, but Sports Illustrated’s Efstathios Savvidis recently wrote a column about the New York Jets possibly “regretting” the signing because he “didn’t generate much buzz during OTAs.”
Again, early. But the rebuilding Jets paid up $34.5 million on a three-year deal for Ossai, so some sort of offseason hype is almost expected.
The Bengals steering clear of Ossai was a little surprising. Erratic at times, sure, but Ossai is still just 26 years old and a pretty successful third-round pick by the club.
Then again, these aren’t the old Bengals. They went and spent big on Boye Mafe, made that trade for Dexter Lawrence and drafted Cashius Howell on the edge to rotate with first-rounders Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart.
This young Bengals defense needs to still work out when the games matter. But with Ossai off to a quiet start in New York, it feels like the team made the right move on that front, at least.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals made right call on Joseph Ossai as Jets risk buyer’s remorse?
Reporting by Chris Roling, Bengals Wire / Bengals Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Chris Roling, Bengals Wire | USA TODAY Network
