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(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

The Cincinnati Bengals have spent money this offseason to improve their defense. In free agency, the team signed Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, and Bryan Cook while taking on more money after trading for former New York Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence II.

As a result, the Bengals have roughly $7.5 million in cap space, per Over the Cap. With Cincinnati using up much of its cap space, there’s speculation that Joe Burrow might consider restructuring his contract to give the Bengals more flexibility.

While speaking to the media on April 27, the Bengals’ director of player personnel, Duke Tobin, was asked about whether the team has approached Burrow about restructuring his contract.

“Those are things that we’re working through after the draft,” Tobin said (h/t Chatterbox Sports). “Again, we’re layered in challenges, but we’re up to them. And we do it because we have the opportunity to add the right people and the right players.

“Those are challenges that the locker room isn’t interested in. They’re interested in having the best team possible. That’s what we’re trying to give them: The best team possible.”

Even after a Grade 3 turf toe injury cost him a chunk of last season, Burrow still turned in elite production. He earned a 91.8 overall PFF grade, ranking second among 43 qualified quarterbacks, along with a 91.3 passing grade, which also ranked second.

Across 288 dropbacks, he threw for 1,809 yards with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also logged 18 big-time throws compared to just two turnover-worthy plays.

Dexter Lawrence II Talks Joe Burrow

Cincinnati has failed to make the playoffs in the last three seasons, and it’s disappointing, given that the Bengals reached the Super Bowl during the 2021 season and went to the AFC title game the following campaign.

The Bengals are hoping the defense can be serviceable at stopping the opposing team, because with a healthy Burrow, the team’s offense will be putting up points. 

In a video on April 19, Lawrence spoke with Dan Hoard and shared his thoughts on having Burrow as his new QB.

“You know, for the longest, I’ve been thinking he’s one of the top quarterbacks in the league, if not the top,” Lawrence said. “It’s going to be fun to share a field with him and to watch him up close, to see how he prepares, how he studies, how he leads guys and gets guys going. I’m excited for that part of it.”

Jonathan Allen Believes Bengals Can Contend for Super Bowl

Allen was the other interior defensive lineman to arrive this offseason and noted that his decision to join the Bengals was to contend for a Super Bowl.

“This is one of the few places I can compete for a Super Bowl and have a chance to showcase my talent,” Allen told the Bengals website on March 13. “When you see what they have on the offensive side of the ball, that’s a dream for a defensive lineman.

“I think people would be lining up to play with a guy like Joe Burrow and the offense they have. Then the young guys you have on defense and the pieces you’re adding, I really think this team is going somewhere.”