Star defensive end Sam Hubbard may request release after his injury that is ending his 2024 campaign. According to reports, the Cincinnati Bengals are losing one of their top stars as they find themselves falling out of playoff contention. The team’s chances for postseason contention are low since the Bengals sit in third place at 6-8 behind the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. However, they have bigger issues this upcoming offseason regarding the talent they have to extend if the team wants to remain a competitive threat in the AFC.
The Bengals have several contracts to think like wideouts Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. As their patience is wearing thin, it might not matter for Hubbard who probably wants an extension as well. He still has one more season left on his deal after signing a contract back in 2021 but he may demand the money before attempting to play again. It’s smart on his part considering he wants a new deal before any potential injury he may suffer before hitting the free-agent market.
However, Cincinnati probably won’t have enough resources after extending Chase. Hubbard has become one of the worst defensive ends each year with a PFF grade of 58.9. The veteran is aging so it might be safe for the Bengals to release him so they could save their cap space to use it for other younger talent. Hubbard might not be the financial headache but he could earn a one-year deal with a team to save his NFL career.
Stalwart Defensive End Sam Hubbard May Request Release After Injury – Ravens, Chargers Possible Next Teams
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have been able to hold up their own weight on offense by scoring touchdowns and moving the chains with both MVP Lamar Jackson and bulldozer Derrick Henry. They may have a few miscues on the passing game but some cleanups before the postseason will keep them in shape for a deep run. However, it hasn’t been enough to compensate for the atrocious defense they’ve established after losing several key free agents. While the Ravens haven’t been playing up to par, they could improve the red zone defense to give some stability behind Nnamdi Madubuike, Kyle Van Noy, Roquan Smith and Kyle Van Noy.
They’ve been able to hold up their end but they can never go wrong in adding more talent. The team losing Jadeveon Clowney this past offseason affected this team with veteran experience and while Hubbard might not be on the same level, his presence could be effective to fill the gaps. He doesn’t need to be full-time but when going up against Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert every season, you need all the help in the end to make up for the depleting secondary.
Los Angeles Chargers
Head Coach Jim Harbaugh loves having Justin Herbert as his signal-caller and has no plans to replace him. However, he still eventually wants to win ballgames with a strong physical defense that turns the ball over and opens more opportunities for the offense to swing it in the aerial attack. Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack will become free agents in March, so this means the chance of re-signing them both is low. The defense hasn’t been able to hold up the last few weeks, especially in their defensive performance against Baker Mayfield where the team put up 40 points against Harbaugh’s defense.
The Chargers can be good but they’re nowhere near great like Harbaugh was hoping. If they can’t stop Mayfield, what makes them think they could go up against Jackson, Mahomes or Josh Allen? Hubbard may be rusty when he comes back but it gives the defense another body to fit into the defensive scheme and stop the opposing quarterback.
