Mike

Brown

The deal includes “10 additional option years that could extend the lease through June 2046.” The two sides agreed to terms on a new deal just four days ahead of the June 30 deadline. Today, they put pen to paper.

The agreement comes just four days ahead of the June 30 deadline, with the two sides settling on a $470 million renovation project aimed at maintaining a “best-in-class NFL stadium that attracts major concerts and events to Cincinnati.” Per the Bengals’ website, the team agrees to invest $120 million in the renovation project, covering 75 percent of new improvements to the stadium. The deal includes 10 additional option years that could extend the lease through June 2046, though it is unclear whether it can be extended on a year-to-year basis.

The current lease is set to expire after the 2025 NFL season and the two sides are very far apart, with their respective demands. Paycor Stadium needs renovations, and Hamilton County has offered to pay $270 million of the proposed $830 million required for the job. The county asks for $350 million from the state and $210 million from the Bengals. Per PFT, “the team has proposed spending $200 million of its own money, but with $45 million of that coming from money spent “years ago” on renovations.” The county is also asking the Bengals to sign a lease lasting 20 years, but the Bengals are instead angling for a five-year agreement.

Dallas, Green Bay and Oakland also landed four picks. The Bengals are getting back some value after getting hit hard in 2017 free agency, losing Kevin Zeitler, Andrew Whitworth, Rex Burkhead, and Karlos Dansby. The Cardinals (97th overall) have the top compensatory pick in this year’s draft.