Each NFL team’s worst contract on the books entering 2019
By Brad Weiss
Cincinnati Bengals: Dre Kirkpatrick
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Dre Kirkpatrick with the No. 17 overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft. He has been a fixture in their defensive backfield ever since. A two-time BCS National Champion during his time at Alabama, Kirkpatrick was supposed to be an absolute stud at the NFL level, but he has yet to reach his potential entering year eight.
During his time with Cincinnati, Kirkpatrick has hauled in only 10 interceptions. In 2018, he did not have a single one in an injury-riddled season. In March 2017, the Bengals made a long-term commitment to Kirkpatrick, signing him to a five-year, $52.5 million contract, which included $12 million in guaranteed money.
In 2019, Kirkpatrick will count nearly $11 million against the cap, which is the fourth-highest on the roster. The players above him in quarterback Andy Dalton, wide receiver A.J. Green and defensive end Geno Atkins were far more productive than Kirkpatrick in 2018. At this point, he has yet to show that he deserves top cornerback money.
The Bengals have a new head coach in town this season, as they fired Marvin Lewis after 16 seasons on the job and no playoff wins. Cincinnati has drafted a cornerback in the first round of two of their last five drafts. You have to wonder whether the team will move on from Kirkpatrick or not after the 2019 season, when his dead cap hits shrink considerably.