The Cincinnati Bengals aren't the belle of the ball when it comes to attractive free-agent destinations. They need help to lure a certain caliber of player to their whole operation.
Having Joe Burrow certainly helps. A willingness to spend enough money on the open market does too. The second of those points is dubious at best, though, so what's the selling point for any free agent to sign on the dotted line?
Prior connections and affiliations. That's the answer. And it could mean the difference between a player being in a Bengals uniform and probably taking more money to sign elsewhere.