By Marc Hardin
FOX Sports Ohio | Bengals Insider
Friday, Dec. 24, 2010
The Bengals have as many as 12 regular players, plus head coach Marvin Lewis, who do not have contracts for next season. Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium could be their swan songs in Cincinnati.
Big-name Bengals with uncertain futures include play-making cornerback Johnathan Joseph, two-time 1,000-yard rusher Cedric Benson, middle linebacker and defensive captain Dhani Jones and the team's all-time leading receiver, Chad Ochocinco.
"It could be a lot of guys' last (home) games," quarterback Carson Palmer said of Sunday's home finale pitting the Bengals (3-11) against the Chargers (8-6).
Joseph is in the final season of his five-year rookie deal. Benson and Jones are in the last years of their contracts. The Bengals hold a $6 million option on Ochocinco for 2011, and there is speculation that the receiver may not return next season because the team won't trigger the option. Even Ochocinco has acknowledged the possibility of leaving. "I don't even know if I'll be back next year," he said. "Changes will be made and they'll be significant."
The six-time Pro Bowler missed his second straight practice Thursday with painful bone spurs in his ankle that will require offseason surgery. Typically, players who do not practice during the week have not played on Sunday for Lewis, who described the receiver's status for the game against the Chargers as "iffy" on the team's official site.
If Ochocinco does not play Sunday against the Chargers and he does not return next season, Cincinnati fans will have missed a chance to see him in his final home game as a Bengal.
As for Lewis, he continues to remain publicly upbeat about his return as head coach next season. His optimism comes despite rampant speculation that the team's 10-game losing streak
