The Bengals are signing DT Sheldon Rankins to a 2 year/$26M contract.
This is a big get for them, as they entered the offseason with a significant need to add to their interior pass rush. And while Rankins isn’t particularly great against the run, he is a very good pass rusher. As of now, the expectation is that he will rotate with BJ Hill in that 3T position, resembling what the Bengals had in 2021 with Hill and Larry Ogunjobi.
Rankins was originally a 1st round pick by the Saints in 2016. When his rookie contract expired, he went on to spend a couple of seasons with the Jets, before landing with the Texans this past season.
The soon to be 30 year old tallied 6 sacks in 15 games last season, and has 29.5 total in his career.
With Rankins set to help out at 3T, this will not impact the Bengals intent to re-sign DJ Reader, who plays NT. Reader is in Detroit to meet with the Lions this week, as both teams continue to pursue him aggressively.
In other news, the Bengals have released S Nick Scott.
Scott was signed by the Bengals as a free agent from the Rams last offseason, after the team lost both Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell. He started the year as the SS, with Daxton Hill playing FS. But part way through, he lost his job to rookie Jordan Battle, and was a rotational guy the rest of the year.
The Bengals will save $2.3M by releasing Scott.
Modified Homescreen Image Via: Maize & Blue Nation (CC)