Strictly Stripes: A Cincinnati Bengals podcast Andrew Gillis, Mike Niziolek and Mohammad Ahmad

The Brink's truck could be coming to Cincinnati in no time.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and his agent are in negotiations for a new contract extension that could possibly reset the market. Depending on how swiftly the negotiations are done, Burrow could be the league's highest paid player, ahead of even reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes and Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson.
While Burrow certainly might not make the amount of guaranteed money Watson is making, his annual average could top the market entering the 2023 season. Burrow's fellow 2020 quarterback draftees, Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts, are due for some big pay days as well, and what happens to them could impact Burrow's deal and vice versa.
Is there a strong case to be made for Burrow making more than Mahomes, Watson or even Aaron Rodgers, who earns the highest annual average in the league?
The Strictly Stripes crew ranks the league's top paid quarterbacks and where Burrow fits into that equation. Based on those numbers, they look at where Burrow's pay day could fall in respect to that.
This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek.
Music: Starfields by Hallman
Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/
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Are Lou Anarumo's worst fears going to come true?
At first glance, the Bengals' defensive depth chart isn't much different from last year's 2022 roster. Aside from losing their starting safeties, which was a "dark day" for Anarumo, the Bengals bring back all of their other defensive starters from last year not including current free agent Eli Apple.
However, there were a lot of shortcomings and concerns that could be compounded if things aren't addressed in next month's NFL Draft.
Did the Bengals not do enough defensively in free agent to address those concerns? As things stand with their active roster, will they be better, worse or the same as last year moving into 2023?
The Strictly Stripes Podcast answers those questions and does a position-by-position ranking of the entire Bengals' defense and assess if things are heading north or south for Cincinnati's defense.
This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and Michael Niziolek.
Music: Starfields by Hallman
Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/
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The NFL season is still just under six months away, but there's never too early of a time to look at the Bengals' depth chart.
Cincinnati is posed to bring back many of the same playmakers from 2022 with some very new faces sprinkled in between. There's still much to be settled in next month's NFL Draft as well.
However, regardless of what the draft holds for the Bengals, are they in good enough shape to remain contenders in 2023?
The Strictly Stripes crew does a very early look ahead what the Bengals depth chart looks like, how well each offensive position group is set up and what that could look like in 2023.
This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad and Andrew Gillis.
Music: Starfields by Hallman
Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/
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Is there a changing of the guard in the AFC North?
Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson wants out of Baltimore after he's been unable to land a deal with the team. Other teams are yet to entertain any offers but if they do, Jackson could be on his out of the division.
With the Bengals trying to follow up on their back-to-back division titles, how much of an advantage does this give them? Is there even an advantage to be had?
Bengals QB Joe Burrow is also set to receive his own extension in the future. Meanwhile, what can the Bengals apply and learn from Jackson's situation to Burrow's?
The Cleveland Browns are also on the rise after a splash of free agent moves this offseason. Deshaun Watson isn't going anywhere in the meantime so Jackson's potential departure could shift the power rankings in the division.
The Strictly Stripes crew weighs in on the indirect and even direct impact a Jackson departure would have on the Bengals in 2023.
This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad and Andrew Gillis.
Music: Starfields by Hallman
Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/
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Draft season is upon us.
With almost exact a month to go before the NFL Draft, the Bengals will now focus on getting their draft boards together and planning for the future in Cincinnati.
The way the Bengals navigated this free agency is a sign that their future will be built in contrast to how things have been done in the last few years of the Joe Burrow era. Cincinnati's moves, like Germaine Pratt's extension and the Orlando Brown Jr. signing, will also have major implications for the future.
The Strictly Stripes crew wraps up the month of March and looks ahead to the coming days and weeks of draft season in Cincinnati.
This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad and Andrew Gillis.
Music: Starfields by Hallman
Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/
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The competitiveness of the AFC North lives even in the offseason.
When the Ravens, Bengals, Steelers and Browns aren't busy battling each other in the regular season for a divisional title, they're busy working to outbuild one another. All four teams have been making moves to fight for the right to win the AFC North next season.
The Bengals, who are seeing their third consecutive divisional title for the first time in franchise history, will have to go against a Browns team that has loaded up with no shortage of signings and trades.
But where do each of these teams stand against their rivals from Pittsburgh and Baltimore?
The Strictly Stripes crew evaluates the current landscape of the AFC North and looks at which team has an advantage over who. They're joined by special guest and Browns Insider Mary Kay Cabot who breaks down where things stand.
This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Andrew Gillis and special guest Mary Kay Cabot.
Music: Starfields by Hallman
Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/
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