>>Barnwell: Bengals Should Sign Bates First
(Cincinnati, OH) — An ESPN analyst says the Bengals should re-sign a defensive player as soon as possible. Bill Barnwell thinks Jessie Bates the Third is the most important player to bring back for Cincinnati next season. He says, “Bates is the heartbeat of the defense and excels as a communicator and post defender.” Barnwell believes a contract of around 17-million per year will be good enough to get a deal done. The legal tampering period for NFL free agency begins on March 13th.
>>Titan Lose Offensive Assistant to Bears
(Nashville, TN) — The Titans are losing one of their coaches to the Bears. A-to-Z Sports reports Luke Steckel is preparing to leave the team for a role with Chicago on the offensive line staff. Steckel had worked as a run game analyst for Tennessee and spent the last two seasons as the tight ends coach. He first joined the team back in 2013 as a special assistant to the head coach.
>>NFL Scouting Combine Preview
(Indianapolis, IN) — The 2023 NFL Combine is set to get underway in Indianapolis. The top players that are set to be available in April’s draft will take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium to put their skills and athleticism on display for coaches and scouts from around the league. ESPN is reporting that Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter will not participate in the workout portion of the scouting combine but will take part in team interviews and undergo a physical. Carter is rated as the number-one overall prospect by draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. heading into the combine. ESPN is also reporting that quarterbacks C.J. Stroud, Will Levis and Anthony Richardson will throw at the combine this week. Alabama’s Bryce Young reportedly won’t throw, but will go through medicals and measurements.