Tag: Zack Moss

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]

Zack Moss agrees to deal with Bengals, what that means for Colts

Zack Moss is heading to Cincinnati. What does that mean for the Colts?

Indianapolis Colts pending free agent running back Zack Moss found a new home in free agency, agreeing to a two-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals late Monday night.

It was expected that Moss could have outpriced himself in the market for the Colts after his impressive showing during the early portion of the 2023 season while Jonathan Taylor was absent between an ankle injury and a contract dispute.

Now, the Colts have to find a new backup running back to supplant Moss’ role as a change-of-pace option.

Losing Moss isn’t a massive deal in terms of the on-field impact. He’s a good player, of course, but there are plenty of running backs capable of filling the void behind Taylor, who will continue to be the starter.

Moss will be missed in the locker room, though, and there’s a good chance he works his way into the starting role in Cincinnati, especially after the team cut Joe Mixon.

Where the Colts go from here will be interesting. They can look to free agency to add a veteran backup. If they do, we shouldn’t expect them to go after any big names or sink any significant salary-cap space into the position.

Maybe they re-sign Trey Sermon, who served in a depth role during the 2023 season. They’re expected to get 2023 fifth-round pick Evan Hull back from a knee injury that claimed his entire rookie season, but it isn’t clear how the Colts view his outlook.

They could also go after a bruiser like D’Onta Foreman or opt for cheaper options like Rico Dowdle and Royce Freeman.

There’s a chance the Colts use another draft pick at the position, but that likely wouldn’t come until Day 3.

Either way, the Colts have another backup position to fill this offseason after Moss got a well-deserved contract with the potential to be a starter.

[lawrence-related id=94777,94772,94765]

Fantasy Football Fallout: Bengals to replace Joe Mixon with Zack Moss

There’s a changing of the guard in Cincinnati’s backfield.

Longtime Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon will be released and replaced by free-agent RB Zack Moss, helping the team get younger and the books get lighter.

3/12 update: Mixon was traded to the Houston Texans instead of being released.

Mixon has become mostly a plodder the past few seasons, though the seven-year pro has developed a nose for the end zone as his career has chugged along. In the first four years, he found paydirt 25 total times but has posted 37 scores in the past three campaigns. The ascension of Joe Burrow hasn’t hurt his cause, preventing defenses from fully selling out in the red zone. An adept receiver and quality blocker, Mixon should pick up in Houston where he left off, despite entering his age-28 season.

[lawrence-related id=487538]

As for Moss, he split time early in his career with Buffalo before being sent to the Indianapolis Colts a couple of years back. He filled in admirably for Jonathan Taylor last year, generating 466 rushing yards, 576 total yards, and five offensive TDs between Week 2 and Week 6. He remained involved upon Taylor’s return until seeing his workload significantly decrease before fracturing his forearm late in the year.

Moss has enough talent to be a three-down option, though it’s likely Cincinnati works in Chase Brown to enough of a degree that this might even devolve into a full-on committee.

Fantasy football outlook

It’s simply too early to make a definitive fantasy claim as to Moss’ value, but he has a prime opportunity to finish in the neighborhood of RB10 to RB15 with a similar workload to what Mixon has offered in recent years. He’s not the same quality pass catcher, but Moss isn’t the worst receiver out of the backfield, either.

We’ll do a deep dive on this situation following the NFL draft. In the meantime, Moss’ dynasty worth is trending upward, and all gamers should be optimistic about his upcoming season.

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]

Packers reportedly interested in free agent RB Zack Moss

The Packers are reported to have interest in free agent running back Zack Moss.

At some point this offseason, the Packers need to address the running back position. At the very least, they are exploring the free agent market, with interest in Zack Moss, according to Aaron Wilson.

Moss was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2020 and spent the last season and a half with the Indianapolis Colts. For his career, he has averaged 4.3 yards per carry and scored 14 touchdowns. Last season, specifically, Moss averaged 4.3 yards per rush with five touchdowns and 793 rushing yards.

Although AJ Dillon has been a reliable running back behind Aaron Jones, what the Packers need is more playmaking in that secondary running back role, who is going to see his share of touches as the Packers continue to be mindful of Jones’ workload. Dillon would average just 3.4 yards per carry last season.

Moss would help provide that needed juice to the backfield. Over the last two seasons, he has forced 60 missed tackles, and recorded 30 runs of 10-plus yards, along with 12 rushes of 15 or more yards.

When a defense has to be mindful of a running back’s ability to pick up chunk plays, that then opens up opportunities in the passing game and can keep defenses off-balanced and guessing, especially in the Matt LaFleur offense where concepts in the passing game build off of what is established in the ground game.

PFF is projecting that the Moss will earn a two-year deal worth $7.5 million in free agency.

The potential addition of Moss shouldn’t stop the Packers from also adding to the running back position in the draft. Jones is potentially in his final season with the Packers while Moss is not a long-term answer at the position.

However, what this signing would provide is some stability at the position, and some competition for Emanuel Wilson, and some immediate help for the offense.

Although, understandably so, Jordan Love and the passing game garnered much of the attention late in the season, the emergence of the run game played an important factor in the passing game’s success.

Free agency market for Colts’ Zack Moss is growing stronger

Zack Moss appears to have a strong market waiting for him in free agency.

The free agency market for Indianapolis Colts pending free agent Zack Moss appears to be growing stronger, according to multiple reports.

The complement to Jonathan Taylor and spot starter for the Colts at times during the 2023 season may have played himself into a bigger role for another team in free agency, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

And it seems there will be plenty of interest in Moss’ services when the legal tampering period opens Monday at noon ET.

Moss likely played into a price range that will result in him leaving Indy. The Colts already have Taylor under contract, and they just signed wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to a big three-year extension.

Entering Week 6 of the regular season, Moss’ 466 rushing yards trailed only Christian McCaffrey (553) for the league lead. In fact, Moss ranked second in the NFL in rushing yards (615) through the first nine weeks of the season, which was done despite Taylor having returned in Week 5.

His 183 carries for 794 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns were career-high marks for the former third-round pick.

[lawrence-related id=94747,94655,94745]

7 running back the Ravens could target in free agency

We’re looking at ten running backs the Baltimore Ravens could target during the 2024 NFL Free Agency period

The Ravens have several pressing needs this off-season, but one exciting position to watch will be running back, where three players (Melvin Gordon, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards) could all move on in free agency.

Baltimore could add a player in the draft, but if they want to make a splashy or value signing at the start of next week’s free-agent period, GM Eric DeCosta has plenty of big-named options to target.

We’re considering ten running backs Baltimore could target with the new league year fast approaching.

10 running backs the Eagles could target in NFL free agency

We’re looking at 10 running backs the Philadelphia Eagles could target during the 2024 NFL Free Agency period

The Eagles have several pressing needs this off-season, but one exciting position to watch will be running back, where three players (D’Andre Swift, Rashaad Penny, Boston Scott) could all move on in free agency.

Philadelphia could add a player in the draft, but if they want to make a splashy or value signing at the start of next week’s free-agent period, GM Howie Roseman has plenty of big-named options to target.

The Eagles added a new offensive coordinator in former Cowboys and Chargers play caller Kellen Moore. He’ll look to institute a”physical, north-and-south run game” rooted in”getting downhill.”

With the new league year fast approaching, we’re looking at ten running backs Philadelphia could target.

1 pending free agent Chargers should target: AFC South Edition

Listing one free agent from the Texans, Titans, Colts and Jaguars who could be a fit for the Chargers.

The Chargers won’t be aggressive when it comes to signing free agents.

General manager Joe Hortiz will make some moves to have some spendings available to them so they can sign some.

That said, I will list one pending free agent from each NFL team who could be a realistic target for L.A.

Next up is the AFC South.