The Bengals focus is now onto free agency, with the new league year set to begin in March. There are many interesting outside options to consider, and also some decisions to be made on in-house free agents. Of course, they did already re-sign Cam Grandy, but much bigger moves are on the horizon. As it stands now, the Bengals have $46,567,407 in cap space, according to Over the Cap, to make it all work. But before we get into who should be signed, we can first look at potential cap casualties, as the Bengals look to add to their available cap space. The idea is to increase cap space, while trimming dead weight in the form of bad contracts that are relatively easy to move on from. Let’s take a look at who might be on the chopping block.
DT, Sheldon Rankins
Cap Savings: $8,617,647
Dead Money: $2,000,000
This one seems like the most obvious of the bunch. Rankins was brought in to help an interior pass rush unit that was severely lacking behind BJ Hill. Early in the season, he missed time with a hamstring injury, and when he returned, he was ineffective. Rankins then missed the back half of the season due to an illness, something the Bengals never really elaborated on, outside of the injury designation. The $2M in dead money isn’t huge, compared to what some other teams go through to release high profile signings. However, for an organization that hates any amount, it will leave a bit of a bitter taste. Still, it is well worth the $8.6M+ in cap savings to move on from a signing that did not work out at all.
G, Alex Cappa
Cap Savings: $8,000,000
Dead Money: $2,250,000
After Rankins, Cappa is the next one that can be considered “obvious.” He was a solid signing at first, but took a step back in 2023. In 2024, his level of play plummeted into that of one of the worst G’s in the NFL. He was truly atrocious from start to finish, being responsible for 8 sacks given up and 51 pressures. The dead money isn’t ideal, but nothing that should be stopping them from claiming $8M in cap savings.
DE, Sam Hubbard
Cap Savings: $9,511,765
Dead Money: $2,000,000
This one would be tough, with Hubbard being the longest tenured Bengal on the team. However, his production over the last 2 seasons has shrivelled down to almost nothing. Injuries have been a big factor, but at his current price, the team cannot afford to sit around, hoping he finds a level that we haven’t seen in such a long time. The Bengals can save over $9.5M by cutting him. In a perfect world, he takes a pay cut to stay. The $2M is guaranteed regardless, and perhaps an extra $500k on top of that would work for both sides, when being cut is the alternative. That, of course, is dependent on whether or not he thinks he can get more than $2M on the open market. In any event, this is an area where the Bengals can add a big chunk to their cap space.
RB, Zack Moss
Cap Savings: $3,316,176
Dead Money: $1,500,000
Moss was signed after the Bengals traded Joe Mixon to the Texans. Not a crippling contract by any means, but more than I would have given to a RB that lacks dynamic playmaking ability. Moss is solid, but with the emergence of Chase Brown, isn’t necessary. The Bengals can save over $3M by cutting him, and replace him with a cheap free agent (or by re-signing Khalil Herbert) and a draft pick.
S, Geno Stone
Cap Savings: $6,475,000
Dead Money: $1,500,000
This one is up in the air as to whether or not it happens. Why might it? Because Stone got off to a horrible start to the season, and his poor play lasted probably for three quarters of the season. Tackling was a big issue, and his play in coverage took a big step back from his previous season in Baltimore. Towards the end of the season, Stone improved a good bit. Not that he was outstanding, but it was noticeable, given how bad he had been for much of the year. Was it enough to buy him another year? We’ll see. But the nearly $6.5M in cap savings isn’t a bad reason to cut him loose and try again with a different signing.
G, Cordell Volson
Cap Savings: $3,575,000
Dead Money: $164,220
Volson is still on his rookie deal, but playing time escalations have led to a boosted salary. After showing promise as a rookie starter, the peaks and valleys never really turned into consistency. In fact, this past season, there were a lot more valleys than peaks. It is possible that they keep him around as young depth with starting experience. But most of his contract can be wiped off the books, if they find a cheaper, better alternative.
TE, Drew Sample
Cap Savings: $2,750,000
Dead Money: $0
Sample has carved out a role as a quality blocking TE. But still, given his one-dimensional usage, the argument can be made that he is overpaid. Adding to the situation is that Cam Grandy, as a rookie undrafted free agent, looked quite good as a blocker. Coming in at a much cheaper price, Grandy could make Sample expendable. That being said, if he gets cut, it is more likely to happen after training camp, where the two can battle it out.
If the Bengals were to cut all of these players, they would incur $9,414,220 in dead money, while saving $42,245,588 against the cap. It would bring their total cap space to $88,812,995. With many important moves to be made, trimming the fat would give the team a lot more flexibility to make the deals that they need to.
