Would you be wiling to give up a 2nd rounder for

The only thing Cincy gets hit with is the signing bonus cap charge. The rest all goes to the Bears, which would be a little over $15 mill this year. The only way Cincy would take on some of the money is if the Bears gave back better draft capital. So now we're talking about going from a 2nd for him to a first...or multiple 2's or a 2 and a 3...something like that.

We should also maximize our window with these rookie contracts from Williams and Rome. We're saving 70 million. You don't get this chance that often. 

+1
And I'd add that we also have the opportunity to draft a younger version of Hendrickson, on one of those rookie contracts, in the next draft.  I have to believe we will see the defense get more attention in 2025.  I'm sure hoping we are not building for a 1-year 2024 SB run (obviously not happening), but rather building for sustained success that spans a longer time period.  Some people say a rookie will take time to be effective.  But while a great D player should get better and better after that rookie season, there have been a number of DL guys who were great their rookie season (All Pro even... LOL, I Googled it).  A great DL rookie can be a great asset year-1.  Poles has made some really good picks to help the offense this year.  Next year it's the D's turn to get some love.  Why spend big money at this point, or give up our future draft picks?  Use them ourselves.  JMO.   

And you can only franchise tag one of them 4 years from now. The other one will be demanding mega $$$ contract.