The Bengals signed Taylor Mays knowing he’d be suspended for the first four games this season due to a substance-abuse policy violation, but they’ve now opted to cut the journeyman safety, Jim Owczarski reports (on Twitter).
The franchise confirmed the move on its Twitter account.
Mays’ employer for most of his career, the Bengals will only incur a $25K dead money charge and will save $855K. Cincinnati reacquired Mays on a one-year worth $840K.
Mays played with the Bengals from 2011-14 before departing as a free agent and enjoying a nomadic 2015. He signed with the Vikings, Lions and Raiders only to be cut by each franchise, with Oakland bringing him back after injuries depleted its back line. Mays managed to start in five games and play in 14 with the Raiders, and he functioned decently when called upon despite being cut on several occasions last year.
Originally a second-round 49ers selection in 2010, Mays will now search for another team. With the suspension looming, that might not be as easy as it was last year. But the former USC safety has not experienced too much trouble finding teams willing to take a chance on him.
The Bengals, though, are now devoid of much seasoning at safety behind starters George Iloka and Shawn Williams. Reggie Nelson‘s departure to the Raiders and now Mays’ release leave the defending AFC North champions with a seventh-round rookie, a sixth-round 2015 pick and a ’15 UDFA, as Roster Resource details.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Remember when this clown told Pete Carroll he was going to make him sorry for taking Earl Thomas over him in the draft? I wonder how that has worked for him so far?