The Cincinnati Bengals figure to be a team with some notable roster turnover after the failure to reach the playoffs, which includes letting a number of the team’s own free agents walk on the open market.
That’s especially the case on the defensive side of the ball, where one of the NFL’s worst units will undergo a major change at coordinator.
Along the way, certain free agents likely won’t be brought back and names like Sheldon Rankins are cut candidates.
Below is a ranking of free agents listed out by the names they need to retain the most in order to rebound next year.
Shocker, right? Higgins has his problems staying healthy and will command top dollar, but it’s pretty clear the offense doesn’t run right without him. Joe Burrow wants him back and says it all the time publicly, which matters. Higgins has done his part, too, switching agents. Honestly, it’s not like recent draft picks such as Cam Taylor-Britt and Dax Hill have earned major extensions, anyway, so they’ve got the money to keep the gang together.
Ossai blossomed to close the season, becoming a viable rotational player who wasn’t immediately exposed in the running game. That’s a huge deal, considering the team doesn’t have anyone else after Trey Hendrickson right now. Maybe Myles Murphy eventually pans out, but they can’t just let a former draft pick like Ossai leave now that he’s a contributor.
This one might shock some fans, especially because Hill is starting to get up there in age and could make a pretty penny on the open market. But they just can’t go into next year with paper-thin depth behind Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson. This would also be a sort of locker room leadership re-signing, too.
This doesn’t mean Hilton stubbornly starts next year. But he’s still great as a blitzer, can play multiple spots and again, locker room leadership matters.
- Trent Brown, Tackle (UFA)
- Akeem Davis-Gaither, Linebacker (UFA)
- Mike Gesicki, Tight end (UFA)
- Marco Wilson, Cornerback (UFA)
- Cody Ford, Guard (UFA)
- Tanner Hudson, Tight end (UFA)
- Joe Bachie, Linebacker (UFA)
- Vonn Bell, Safety (UFA)
- Trayveon Williams, Running back (UFA)
- Jay Tufele, Defensive tackle (UFA)
- Cam Sample, Defensive end (UFA)
- Chris Evans, Running back (UFA)
- D’Ante Smith, Tackle (UFA)
- Khalil Herbert, Running back (UFA)
- Cal Adomitis, Long…
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