Tag: Bengals free agency

Look: Highlights for new Bengals RB Zack Moss

Highlights from the newest Joe Burrow weapon in the Bengals offense.

The Cincinnati Bengals really wanted free-agent running back Zack Moss.

So much so, while they saved cap space by cutting Joe Mixon in the process, the front office also outbid a big-spender like the Dallas Cowboys for his services.

One look at the highlights explains why.

Sure, there are advanced metrics like rushing yards over expected per carry (+0.71) to explain Moss’ effectiveness. But the eye test? There’s plenty of value in that for fans, too, especially so soon after a signing.

Here’s a look at some of the best highlights of Moss’ pro career to date from a variety of games:

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

How much are the Bengals paying free agent Zack Moss?

A Bengals cap space update and look at Zack Moss’ contract.

The Cincinnati Bengals made sure to outpsend a team like the Dallas Cowboys while agreeing to sign running back Zack Moss in free agency.

That feat, plus a pretty unique two-year structure for the club, was a testament to just how much the team liked the versatile running back, who they will pair with Chase Brown in a committee to replace the Joe Mixon era.

And that aggressiveness is merely a two-year contract worth $8 million with $4.525 in Year 1. Mixon, on the other hand, had an $8.85 million cap hit next year and a $3 million roster bonus due on March 17 (hence the quick move).

So on paper, the Bengals saved that $3 million and saved a chunk of cap space, too, in the $6.1 million range.

Tack on Geno Stone’s arrival via free agency, which is estimated to be a roughly $6 million cap hit in Year 1, and the Bengals should have roughly $30 million in free cap space after accounting for a draft class that includes a newly-awarded third-round compensatory pick.

This roughly $30 million will change dramatically in the coming days, if not hours, as the Bengals make further signings. They can even save cap space, too (cutting Nick Scott after Stone’s arrival, for example, or a Tee Higgins extension and/or trade). But the ultimate takeaway is the Bengals got younger and more versatile while saving a small chunk of change with the Moss signing.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Bengals outbid Dallas Cowboys in free agency for RB Zack Moss

The Bengals paid up to outbid the Cowboys for Zack Moss.

The Cincinnati Bengals fended off some competition for new running back Zack Moss.

Moss, who will sign a two-year deal with the Bengals and will replace Joe Mixon, had interest from other teams on the market.

According to the Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken, the Dallas Cowboys were in on Moss until “the price extended past their comfort point” on Monday.

That price is a two-year deal worth $8 million that includes $4.525 million in the first year. Those Cowboys lost Tony Pollard, yet found themselves outspent by the Bengals.

For the Bengals, it’s a big win to get an explosive back who excels in pass protection and should form a solid committee with Chase Brown. It’s also again refreshing to see the front office open up the checkbook and get in the ring with other teams while doing a pretty unique two-year structure that secures an upgrade.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Bengals release Joe Mixon, agree to terms with RB Zack Moss

The Bengals make a huge change at running back.

The Cincinnati Bengals have made a major change at the running back position.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the team has parted ways with Joe Mixon and signed free agent Zack Moss to a two-year deal worth $8 million.

Moss, 26, is a former third-round pick who spent time between Buffalo and Indianapolis before joining the Bengals and averages 4.3 yards per carry on his career and has 75 passes.

As for Mixon, he took a pay cut to stay with the Bengals last season but had a $8.85 million cap hit next year and a $3 million roster bonus on March 17.

In short, if the Bengals found an option they liked that they considered an upgrade before that cutoff date, this was the likely move.

That option is Moss, who will split time with Chase Brown next season in the backfield.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Bengals re-sign LB Akeem Davis-Gaither

Akeem Davis-Gaither is back in the fold for the Bengals.

The Cincinnati Bengals have re-upped with linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, it’s a one-year deal worth $3 million for Davis-Gaither.

Davis-Gaither, a fourth-round pick by the Bengals in 2020, never played more than a rotational role in the base defense (33 percent of the snaps in 2021) but has been a core special teams member (minimum 61 percent each season).

Even so, he’s a key piece of depth for a defense that likes running two linebacker looks with Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson and a situational pass defender who has carved out a nice niche.

Davis-Gaither is one of a few linebackers the team figures to bring back as depth this offseason.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Bengals have competition for DJ Reader from Titans, Lions, per report

The Bengals will have to fend off multiple teams for DJ Reader.

The Cincinnati Bengals want star defensive lineman DJ Reader back, which those around the team haven’t been shy about since the season ended.

But other teams want him, too.

According to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, the Titans and Lions have made a push for Reader, too.

No shock there, given Reader’s elite level of play. And in Tennessee, new head coach Brian Callahan knows a thing or two about what Reader can do to an opposing offense.

Likely complicating matters on the Bengals-Reader front is the fact he suffered a season-ending torn quad, his second in four seasons with the team. Plus, he’ll turn 30 over the summer.

This doesn’t mean Reader won’t be back in Cincinnati, but there are hurdles if the Bengals want to keep a top-five nose tackle who helps the entire scheme tick.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Instant analysis after Bengals agree to sign FA safety Geno Stone

Instant analysis after the Bengals go get a free-agent safety.

The Cincinnati Bengals did incredibly well for themselves on the first day of free agency’s legal tampering period by agreeing to terms with safety Geno Stone.

Fixing safety was one of the prominent focuses of this offseason for the Bengals, and they appear to do so in a big way with Stone, who is all of 24 years old and classified by the Ravens as one of their best seventh-round picks ever.

That wasn’t just the Ravens gassing up one of their own players either — and Joe Burrow himself and the Bengals have had to deal with Stone’s crafty play for years.

One look at the numbers says quite a bit:

This is a standard-fare Bengals signing, too. At two years and just $15 million, it’s right in line with other small gambles on the likes of Chidobe Awuzie and Vonn Bell that have paid off massively in recent years.

There’s no reason to think this isn’t going to be a hit for the defense, too. Lou Anarumo loves his three-safety looks, so Stone can be on the field with Dax Hill and Jordan Battle in certain packages.

More importantly, Stone can outright serve as a starter. There are some questions about Hill’s long-term position. The former first-rounder could end up as the slot corner. If Stone becomes the long-term starter at safety next to Battle, the Bengals emerge as big winners.

Notably, this doesn’t necessarily take safety off the board for the Bengals in the middle to late rounds of the draft either, as depth remains a concern. But getting the starting two or three names right after the fumble that was losing Vonn  Bell and Jessie Bates in the same offseason was the priority.

Stone, on paper, stops the bleeding and can help the secondary get back on track.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Bengals agree to terms with free agent safety Geno Stone

The Bengals grab a safety in free agency.

The Cincinnati Bengals made their first splash of free agency by agreeing to terms on a deal with safety Geno Stone.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Stone’s two-year deal is worth $15 million, with a $6 million signing bonus.

Stone, 24, was a seventh-round pick by the Ravens in 2020, and the Bengals have had a front-and-center look at his quick rise, which included a 71.9 PFF grade and seven interceptions last year.

Safety was an inevitable signing for the Bengals this offseason after last year’s secondary dramatically suffered after the losses of Vonn Bell and Jessie Bates to free agency. Stone will slot into a starting role, bringing into question where Dax Hill and Jordan Battle play next season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Bengals re-sign TE Drew Sample to 3-year deal

The Bengals bring back a key part of the offense.

The Cincinnati Bengals have brought back tight end Drew Sample on a three-year contract.

Cincinnati announced the move on Monday, not long after free agency’s legal-tampering period opened.

It’s an anticipated move for a Bengals team that spent a second-round pick on Sample and has utilized him as a key blocker in the offense. The team wants to develop more under-center and varied looks in Joe Burrow’s offense, so getting his skill set back in the fold was one of the many expected moves this offseason.

That said, the fact it’s a three-year deal is a mild surprise. Cincinnati entered that tampering period with zero tight ends on the roster, so Tanner Hudson and others could be back soon, too, before the team adds more outside veterans and/or rookies.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Bengals didn’t get Tee Higgins trade calls after franchise tag, per report

A report reveals that no teams have called the Bengals about trading for Tee Higgins.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has requested a trade, though no other teams have previously approached the Bengals about a deal.

According to a report from Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, zero teams called the Bengals about a deal after the team applied the franchise tag to the star wideout.

Florio wrote the following: “Per a source with knowledge of the situation, that hadn’t happened before today. The Bengals hadn’t even gotten a call about a potential trade.”

The Bengals talked differently about Higgins’ future with the team at the combine than they have in the past, though Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin shot down the idea that the quick timing of the franchise tag had anything to do with wanting to trade him.

Perhaps part of the reason no team approached the Bengals is their reputation as stubborn in trade talks. But part of it is undoubtedly the asking price, too, as the Bengals figure to want roughly a first-round pick in exchange if they’re willing to deal Higgins — the trading team would have to cough up that and a potentially market-resetting extension.

As always mentioned, the Bengals and Higgins have until July 15 to reach a long-term extension, or he’ll play on the tag next season, barring a shocking trade development.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]