Wow! Free agency is crazy this year! Last Monday was one of the most exciting days of free agency I can remember. Every few minutes my phone notifications were going off about another move. Felt like so many teams were «catching their fish». Some big and some small. Some great. Others not so great. But still, so many big names changing teams, it was exciting! And now that Wednesday has passed, all signings can all be made official.
The Bengals had a lot of needs. «A lot of fish to catch». They’re busy «catching» some of those during Free Agency. Re-signing some key players and adding a few new players now that some left. There’s still a lot to do though.
Bengals Free Agency Offensive Additions and Re-signed Players
Starting with RB. The Bengals made a big change. They signed Zach Moss to a 2-year contract worth $8 million dollars and traded Joe Mixon to the Houston Texans. Moss was super productive as one of the top rushers last year filling in for Jonathan Taylor. Some have compared him to Giovani Bernard. The Bengals are hoping his explosiveness will help them hit more of the big passing plays.
https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-sign-zack-moss
RB Trayveon Williams was re-signed to a 1-year contract worth $1.1 million. On the team since 2019, he gives them depth at the position. Appearing in all 17 games last year. They like him.
TE, one of their biggest needs, was also a position they started to fill by re-signing Drew Sample to a 3-year $10.5 million-dollar contract. Last year the 2019 2nd round pick really emerged as a pass catcher, along with being super useful in the run game. Being used as primary pass blocker on 3rd downs.
TE Mike Gesicki, formerly of the Dolphins, was signed to a 1-year $3.25 million-dollar contract. He gives the Bengals the pass catching option they’ve been looking for if he works out. Irv Smith Jr. did not. During Gesicki’s 5 years with the Dolphins, 3 of those seasons he had 50 or more catches. He seems to be really excited to be here so let’s hope he can be a true viable passing target for Burrow.
https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-sign-mike-gesicki
And on Friday they re-signed Tanner Hudson to a 1-year deal. He had 39 catches in 12 games last year. He’ll help solidify their TE group.
For the WR group, WR Trenton Irwin re-signing with a 1-year extension is the only one so far. He gives them the depth they need.
Defensive Additions and Re-Signed Players
DT Sheldon Rankins agreed to a 2-year $26 million-dollar contract. A much needed piece for the pass rush in the middle of the line. Being 7th in pass rush win rate last season as a defensive tackle for the Texans. Rankins should pair well with Trey Hendrickson, one of the best pass rushers in the game right now. Hopefully improving that 18th in sacks last year to something much better.
https://www.bengals.com/news/sheldon-rankins-one-of-most-gifted-guys-i-ve-been-around
S Geno Stone agreed to a 2-year $15 million-dollar contact. Playing the last 3 seasons with the Ravens, he had 7 interceptions, good for 2nd in the NFL, one of those being against the Bengals in week 2 last year. He’s a much-needed veteran safety. Hopefully he can fix some of their problems at the back of the defense.
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither re-signed to a 1-year $3 million dollar contract. Gaither added value last year on special teams. On the field a career high 80% of special teams snaps, he’s also the 3rd linebacker in traditional 4-3 packages.
S Vonn Belll is also returning. After only 1-year of his 3-year contract with the Panthers. Bell returns on a 1-year $1.2 million-dollar contract. As a veteran, they’re hoping he can help the young defensive backs develop.
G Cody Ford is returning as well on a 1-year deal. The Bengals trust him, giving them great depth along the offensive line.
And as of yesterday, former Patriot Pro Bowl OT Trent Brown visited & signed a 1-year deal. Very good in pass protection, he fills the much-needed RT position now that Jonah Williams left.
Free agency moves are seemingly endless right now. Notifications of signings everywhere still going on.
It’s exciting to see how the team is going to look this year. Can’t wait to see who they «catch» next!
