AFC North Notes: Bengals, Browns, Ravens

Bengals

• Aaron Wilson reports that CB Mackensie Alexander‘s one-year, $4 million deal with the Bengals includes a $1.5M signing bonus with an additional $2.25 million and up to $250,000 in total roster bonuses.

Browns

New Browns TE Austin Hooper said it ultimately came down to signing with Cleveland or Washington. 

“It really came down to Cleveland and Washington,” Hooper said, via JP Finlay of NBC Sports. “At the end, I chose to be a Brown.”

Hooper said that playing for the Browns and Baker Mayfield was “too exciting of an opportunity to pass up.”

“It’s too exciting of an opportunity to pass up; how hungry [Mayfield] is to win that’s something that really jumped out to me,” said Hooper. 

Hooper added that the Redskins “definitely” showed a lot of interest in him, but they were ultimately his second choice. 

“Redskins were definitely a team that had shown interest I would say,” Hooper said. “Definitely a solid organization with another talented young quarterback so that was going to be my next landing spot.”

Ravens

• Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic explains that the Ravens could not have their team doctors directly examine DT Michael Brockers‘ high-ankle injury due to the league rules in place. Although Baltimore was able to get MRIs and X-rays from Brockers, they were not able to administer an in-person consultation with their team doctors.
• Zrebiec reports that the Ravens felt “concern” about how Brockers’ high-ankle sprain would affect his “readiness and preparation for the 2020 season” and they did not feel comfortable with the three-year, $30 million contract they initially agreed upon.
• Zrebiec also reports that the Ravens tried to negotiate a revised contract with Brockers that reflected his health concerns, but nothing was finalized despite the two sides making progress towards a deal. 
• Now that Brockers returned to Los Angeles, Baltimore is now eligible to receive a fourth- or fifth-round compensatory pick in the 2020 NFL Draft after losing DT Michael Pierce to the Vikings.
• Additionally, the Ravens will gain an additional $5 million in cap space with Brockers’ contract on the books, giving them around $15 million to spend.