The Cincinnati Bengals made their third signing in free agency in roughly 24 hours on Thursday night by inking Los Angeles Rams safety Nick Scott to a deal.
The Score’s Jordan Schultz reported the news, with PFF’s Brad Spielberger first reporting a deal was almost finished. Scott had visited the Bengals early Thursday.
Scott, a seventh-round pick in 2019, will turn 28 in May and is a very athletic defensive back who projects nicely next to Dax Hill in the back end of the secondary.
Interestingly, word broke Thursday night that the Bengals would also visit with Scott’s teammate, safety Taylor Rapp, in the coming days. That could still be on the table if the Bengals want to add depth further to the secondary.
For now, the Bengals get a player in Scott who can start next to Hill right away next season.
Update: The Rams seem to have made a late push to retain Scott, per Jourdan Rodrigue and Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic:
Going to be interesting to track how this develops. Nick Scott has been expected to have a little bit of a market, and it sounds like a great visit in Cincinnati led to progressing negotiations. However, this thing is not over yet, just to reiterate. https://t.co/xyKahoA1vH
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) March 17, 2023
Piggybacking on what Jourdan is saying here. #Bengals still working through things with Scott. Rapp coming in tomorrow.
Free agency rarely smooth and easy. https://t.co/gRAAMfKQ36
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) March 17, 2023
Update II: After nearly 24 hours of delays, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Bengals signed Scott to a three-year deal worth $12 million.
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