NFL Rumors: Cedric Benson Ruining His Chances of Landing a Starting Job

Cedric Benson is a free agent this offseason, and his recent comments about the Cincinnati Bengals will make it difficult for him to land a starting role in the NFL in 2012.

The best place for him to be a starter is in Cincinnati, but Benson continues to hurt himself by speaking against the Bengals. It's unlikely that the team brings him back next year. It will be hard for Benson to be a full-fledged starter anywhere in 2012, since he turns 30 during the season.

In a recent appearance on Sirius NFL Radio’s Late Hits show with Ross Tucker and Alex Marvez, Benson said he hadn't heard from the Bengals and then began to complain about this past season.

Per FOXSports.com:

"

We haven’t had any talks about a new deal, re-signing or anything like that to my knowledge. I’m not sure where things are laying up there in Cincinnati.

We didn’t stick with what the offense was built on. Since I’ve been there the past four years we’ve ran the football to try and win games.

Even when we had Carson (Palmer) and Chad (Ochocinco), we still kept a strong identity in the run game. I just feel we got away from it. We didn’t let that part of the offense grow the way it could have.

"

Perhaps Benson forgot that he rushed for over 1,000 yards for the third straight season and that the Bengals made the playoffs. 

Sure, his carries dropped from the previous years, but complaining about it won't get him anywhere. He doesn't have a job right now. 

With two first-round picks in the 2012 NFL draft, the Bengals are in great position to land a top-notch running back to replace Benson. 

In that scenario, they could opt to bring Benson back and split his carries with the rookie. However, in light of his comments, that is doubtful. 

Considering he's vying for a job, criticizing the one team that gives him the best opportunity to start and play the majority of snaps is not a very bright idea. 

Given his off-the-field history, Benson should consider himself lucky that the Bengals gave him a second chance. Instead, he's running his mouth about a team that has helped him a great deal, and it's not going to end well. 

Other teams won't be as kind to a player that has multiple arrests. 

Benson still could have been the top guy in Cincinnati, but these idiotic comments about the Bengals offense will greatly hinder his chances of returning, let alone landing a starting job in 2012.