Who's in, out for Bengals ahead of NFL free agency? Predictions for Cincinnati's roster
The Cincinnati Bengals are well on their way to shaping their roster for the upcoming season. The team on Monday released veteran guard Alex Cappa after three seasons. This comes on the heels of the Bengals also cutting defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins ahead of the NFL combine.
More cuts are expected in the next week as the Bengals prepare for free agency to start. Cincinnati's front office can start talking to players who are scheduled to become free agents on March 10 at noon ET until March 12 at 4 p.m. ET when the new league year begins.
When the NFL calendar flips, the players who aren't under contract with their respective teams are officially free agents meaning they are free to sign with any of the other 31 teams. The Bengals will be looking to add players externally while they also focus on giving extensions to three of their best players in Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson. Higgins is the only one of those players not under contract for next season.
What happens next with Higgins and the Bengals is coming soon as the team placed the franchise tag on him Monday. Chase will be playing on the fifth-year option next year and Hendrickson has one year left on his contract.
The Bengals have needs at defensive tackle, edge, linebacker, safety and guard as they enter this portion of the offseason.
Let's take a closer look at who is likely to be cut in the next few days, who is expected to return and who's up in the air.
Who's not expected to return to the Bengals:
Cornerback Mike Hilton
Defensive end Sam Hubbard
Safety Vonn Bell
Linebacker Germaine Pratt
Who's likely coming back:
Tight end Mike Gesicki
Offensive lineman Cody Ford
Up in the air:
Safety Geno Stone
Defensive tackle B.J. Hill
Defensive end Joseph Ossai
Running back Zack Moss
Linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither
Tackle Trent Brown
Defensive end Cam Sample
The Bengals will likely have over $50 million in cap space when they get to free agency next week. This includes cuts the team makes, and the money Cincinnati will set aside for draft picks, college free agents and injured players.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bengals free agents, salary cap predictions before NFL free agency
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
11 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Noah Brown carted off field at Commanders minicamp. Jeremy Reaves gets extended, AP source says
Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown was carted off the field after getting injured during minicamp in Ashburn, Virginia, on Wednesday. It was not immediately clear what happened to cause the injury or its extent. Reporters in attendance reported Brown walked off slowly after making a catch, threw his helmet in frustration when he reached the sideline and was carted up the hill to the practice facility.
San Francisco Chronicle
13 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Action! Jets using helmet-mounted cameras to help Justin Fields and the other QBs improve
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — There's a new addition to the New York Jets ' huddles this offseason. And it's not just the quarterback. The team is using video cameras attached to the top of the helmets of Justin Fields and fellow QBs Tyrod Taylor, Adrian Martinez and Brady Cook throughout organized team activities and the Jets' three-day minicamp this week. The purpose is to record every aspect of the play, from the quarterback getting the play, taking the snap, going through his reads and finishing. Then, the players and coaches can closely review the footage — and make director's cuts to the plays and the playbook. 'Yeah, it's kind of cool,' Fields said Wednesday. 'It's my first time ever doing it, but it's definitely cool just basically kind of hearing the play call again and kind of just going through, making sure you're just doing everything within the process of the play. So yeah, I like the GoPro a lot.' Using technology to measure progress is far from a new concept in the NFL, with several teams incorporating cameras, GPS systems and virtual reality in training, something the Jets did several years ago. Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has used a helmet-mounted video camera and Minnesota also used them on its QBs last season. Jets coach Aaron Glenn was with Detroit when the Lions used GoPros and he and his staff, including offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand and quarterbacks coach Charles London, thought it might be useful with a new set of signal callers in New York. 'We said, let's give it a shot in rookie minicamp and see what it looks like, and then we loved it and we just said, let's just do it,' Engstrand said. "Everybody's doing it the whole time and it's been phenomenal for those guys. It gives direct feedback. Shoot, the O-line coach is in there watching the tape with his O-line, you know what I mean? 'Because you can hear everything — you can hear the calls. It's been really beneficial for us.' One of the knocks on Fields during his first four NFL seasons has been that he sometimes holds onto the football too long, leading to sacks and interceptions. The GoPros can be used as a tool to help offset and improve that shortcoming while allowing Fields and the rest of the quarterbacks to understand what they're seeing and hearing — and how it's translating on the field. 'Instead of trying to guess, 'Where did your eyes start?' we'll go back and watch it,' London said. 'You can see where his eyes started and you can see how he went in his progression.' It also helps the wide receivers, running backs, tight ends and offensive line get more familiar with the quarterback's cadence while watching the recorded video and audio. And everyone can hear every on-field comment, too, leading to some laughs. 'They only turn it on when you're actually on the field,' Fields said before grinning. 'But, I mean, some funny things have definitely been said and they've definitely been picked up, for sure.' That might take some getting used to for some players, but Engstrand said all the quarterbacks were open to the idea. "We didn't have to convince them of anything because they look at it and they go, 'This is a way for me to improve,' and that's what they're all here to do," Engstrand said. 'They're all here to find a way to get better and help contribute to the team and get us some more wins on the board. So, there was no convincing needed there.' Fields, a first-round draft pick in Chicago in 2021 who spent last season in Pittsburgh, has previously spoken about using his past experiences to help improve on and off the field. He's heading into this season as the Jets' starting quarterback and plans to gather some of his offensive teammates for throwing sessions during the break before training camp next month. 'I kind of had a feeling when I got here guys were looking for a leader to step up on offense,' Fields said. 'So, I was glad to receive that role and, of course, pushing the guys each and every day to be our best and play up to our standard.' And Fields has been doing exactly that — and his work on the film has gotten rave reviews. 'The biggest takeaway I would say is that this guy is just a workaholic,' Engstrand said. 'He comes in early, he's here late and he's trying to digest everything and download all the information and do things the right way. He's trying to do things that we're asking and I think he's really put the next foot forward every day, just trying to stack days, and it's been really good.' ___
Associated Press
13 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Noah Brown carted off field at Commanders minicamp. Jeremy Reaves gets extended, AP source says
Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown was carted off the field after getting injured during minicamp in Ashburn, Virginia, on Wednesday. It was not immediately clear what happened to cause the injury or its extent. Reporters in attendance reported Brown walked off slowly after making a catch, threw his helmet in frustration when he reached the sideline and was carted up the hill to the practice facility. Brown, who caught Jayden Daniels' desperation pass against Chicago for one of the Commanders' signature moments last season, missed the final four games of last season and their playoff run to the NFC championship game with a kidney injury. He re-signed on a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million. Washington also took care of some longer-term business Wednesday, signing safety and special teams ace Jeremy Reaves to a one-year extension through the 2026 NFL season, according to a person with knowledge of the move. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team did not announce the deal. 'Grateful for the journey, the fans, this team and organization,' Reaves posted on social media. 'Much more in store!' Reaves, now 28, was an All-Pro selection on special teams in 2022. He missed the majority of 2023 after getting sidelined by a torn ACL five games into that season. ___ AP NFL:
