The Bengals have signed 6 players to contract extensions.
WR Mitchell Tinsley is arguably the most notable of the bunch. He joined the team last offseason and was projected to be a camp body However, he had a solid camp and then really came alive in the preseason. Tinsey not only made the team, but earned the 4th spot on the depth chart, jumping Charlie Jones and Jermaine Burton, who was eventually cut. In his first season with the Bengals, he made 8 catches for 116 yards and 2 TD’s in a depth role.
LB Shaka Heyward was also among those who were extended. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023, Heyward has spent time on both the practice squad and roster. This past season, he made the team out of camp, and became one of their top special teamers. As well, he flashed in limited defensive opportunities. Heyward also spent a chunk of time on IR, but was able to return in December. He’ll again get the opportunity to compete for a spot when camp rolls back around.
The following players have also been re-signed by the Bengals:
TE, Cam Grandy
S, PJ Jules
LB, Joe Giles-Harris
DE, Isaiah Foskey
Grandy has served in a depth role at the TE position. When on the field, he has primarily been used as a blocker. With Drew Sample having no guaranteed money on his deal, perhaps Grandy could emerge as a cheaper option.
Jules and Giles-Harris have both primarily played on special teams, while Foskey was a mid-season signing. He originally started on the practice squad, but got some game time later in the year. They will all be competing for spots during camp.
The Bengals have also signed the following players reserve/future deals:
DT, Howard Cross III
CB, Bralyn Lux
OT, Andrew Coker
DE, Antwaun Powell-Ryland
RB, Gary Brightwell
QB, Sean Clifford
WR, Jordan Moore
WR, Xavier Johnson
OT, Javon Foster
LB, Liam Anderson
S, Russ Yeast
CB, Jalen Kimber
C, Jacob Bayer
For players on future deals, they will not count towards the roster until the 2025 season is officially concluded.
Cross III and Lux are the most recognizable. Cross III was a high profile UDFA signing and got into some games this season. Lux also was elevated off the practice squad a few times after a solid preseason.
Powell-Ryland was an interesting prospect not long ago. He never got a chance this season, after signing to the practice squad part-way through. But I will be watching to see what he can do in camp.
Those guys, and the rest, in a more general sense, are low profile signings. They all will have to compete for their position, when that time comes.
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