Cincinnati Bengals Free Agency: Cincy Made Significant Offer to Kamerion Wimbley

The Cincinnati Bengals have been more active as of late in NFL free agency. Something fans have wanted to see if the Bengals make a push for a big-name player. Spending a large amount of money in free agency has been something fans have been clamoring for to reassure them that owner Mike Brown cares about winning.

The Bengals recently attempted to do just that with free-agent linebacker Kamerion Wimbley.

Wimbley signed with the Tennessee Titans yesterday on a contract that pays him $35 million over the next five years. He is only 28 years old and was a highly-coveted pass-rusher on the free-agent market having accumulated 16 sacks in the past two seasons.

The Bengals missed out on signing Wimbley, but it tells the fans and the rest of the NFL a number of things.

For one, the Bengals are attempting to improve the roster, and more importantly are willing to spend a large amount of money to do it.

With that being said, that doesn’t necessarily mean Cincinnati is yet an attractive place to play for free agents.

Secondly, this is a telling sign of what the front office considers to be problem areas on the team. Wimbley is a pass-rushing linebacker that is also effective against the run and pass. Manny Lawson is a free agent, as is Brandon Johnson. Lawson was average in coverage but couldn’t’ generate many sacks last season.

The pursuit of Wimbley shows the team is looking to upgrade the linebacker unit this offseason. Free agency is essentially out of linebackers that are worth a look, so that leaves the Bengals with the NFL draft to improve the unit.

If the Bengals elect to address the linebacker position in the first round, they have plenty of options. Outside linebackers such as South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram and Alabama’s Courtney Upshaw would be immediate starters.

The Bengals could also upgrade the middle linebacker position on the chance that Rey Maualuga is suspended, or not even a member of the team next season. Boston College’s Luke Kuechly is as productive as they come and would start from day one as well.

Kuechly has a solid chance of falling to the Bengals now that the Philadelphia Eagles traded for former Houston Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans.

If head coach Marvin Lewis and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer are intent on upgrading the linebacker position, the first round would be the way to go. The 2012 NFL draft class is filled with a plethora of talent at the position, with some especially elite prospects available in the first round.

The most important thing to take away from the failed attempt to sign Wimbley is not that the Bengals failed, but that they are attempting to upgrade the roster, no matter the cost. The past two offseasons have been orchestrated well by the front office, and this offseason is following that same trend.

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