CINCINNATI -- Every move the Cincinnati Bengals made this offseason was characteristic of a club and front office that feels the team is on the cusp of being a winner again, even if the last few years haven't felt that way.
That feeling was validated Monday, when Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn met with a small group of reporters to discuss the last few months and the upcoming season ahead.
Trading for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II and restructuring quarterback Joe Burrow's contract to clear up cap space were the two moves that were outside of the profile for the front office.
But when viewed through the right lens, it was inside the window of a more important timeline -- the one looming ahead after three non-playoff seasons and Burrow's contract set to expire in 2029.
Based on Monday's conversation that ran for just over 30 minutes, the Bengals feel closer to the team that was on the brink of winning the Super Bowl and less like the club that has struggled in recent years.
"Obviously, we feel good about the talent we have," Blackburn said. "We feel like we have a strong base to work around.
"Does that make you take advantage of that other little piece? Maybe that factors in a little bit, yeah, because you feel like you're close."
Lawrence was the move that cemented a rather aggressive offseason for the Bengals. Cincinnati traded the 10th overall pick for the standout defensive tackle, a position that was a major need for a defense that finished 27th in the points allowed per drive last season.
Bengals vice president Elizabeth Blackburn, who is Katie's daughter and the granddaughter of team president Mike Brown, also was part of Monday's media gaggle. She said the addition of Lawrence was "on and off the table at different times." But when the opportunity presented itself ahead of this year's draft, the Bengals took advantage.
The Bengals restructured Joe Burrow's contract and acquired Dexter Lawrence in an uncharacteristic trade as they try to snap a three-season skid with no postseason. AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster "When a defensive tackle like Dexter -- that's a pretty special player who can do a lot for your defense -- they are rarely available," Elizabeth Blackburn said. "Those are the types of moves you figure out a way."
Because of that move, the Bengals converted $13 million of Burrow's base salary into a signing bonus, which added more than $10 million in salary cap space for the upcoming season. Typically, the Bengals have been hesitant to sacrifice future cap space to put more money into a current roster. Elizabeth Blackburn added that the way Cincinnati has historically operated enabled the team to trade for Lawrence later in the offseason cycle.