The Bengals have agreed to sign Chidobe Awuzie to a three-year deal (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). Awuzie missed half of the Cowboys’ season due to injury, but the Bengals believe in his potential.
This agreement is worth $21.75MM over three years, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero (on Twitter). By virtue of Pro Bowl-based incentives, it can max out at $22.5MM.
Awuzie finished 2020 with 38 stops, five passes defensed, and one interception. All in all, he has 213 tackles, four interceptions, 37 pass deflections, and two forced fumbles across four pro seasons. He’s been a consistent starter for the Cowboys, though fans have been mostly lukewarm on him since he was selected in the second round of the 2017 draft.
Awuzie isn’t great in man-to-man coverage, but he’s much stronger in zone coverage. Utilized properly, he could be a solid contributor, though he definitely won’t be able to replace the production of William Jackson. Jackson, who has started at least 13 games in each of the past three seasons, is a free agent and could score a top-of-the-market deal.
Bengals yet again opting to replace their homegrown solidified talent with mediocre replacements. Complacency runs this franchise. Mike Brown, you are a loser.
You understand the Bengals retain their own now than most every team, right? Jackson was great one season, mediocre in 2 others, and decent in the other so it’s not like they’re replacing Deion
WJ3 is a superior CB who has outplayed Awuzie every season but one. And he was injured that year. The bengals are going to line up Waynes and Awuzie as CB’s. Not going to be a good thing
Yeah he’s probably going to be better but he’s not great, and he’s looking to get paid like a top corner. They need to invest money in the OL, not a decent corner who gets paid like a shutdown one when they already have Waynes in the same boat
*draft.
Doesn’t hurt to have depth. If WJ3 is too expensive look for depth and turn to the draft.
It doesn’t help WJ3 that he is going to be 29 this coming season, that’s pretty old for a CB. So over the next 3 years (the contract length they stated in the article) I think I’d rather have Awuzie. Especially if WJ3 is looking for as big of a payday that has been rumored.
Please, Jesus, let the Bengals ask Drew Pearson to announce this signing.
You win. ROFL