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Bengals Sign 13 Undrafted Free Agents

May 11th, 2025 at 2:53pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Bengals announced 13 undrafted free agent signings to bring their rookie class to 19. Here are Cincinnati’s 2025 UDFAs:

The Bengals signed Barnett through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. Born in Birmingham, England, he spent three years at the NFL Academy in Leicester before a year of Division III ball at Dickinson College. Barnett will need to figure out a positional fit in Cincinnati; at 6-foot-1 and 275 pounds, he’s too small for the interior but lacks the get-off of an edge rusher.

Cross was a consistent presence on Notre Dame’s defensive line over the past four years, including second-team All-American nods in the last two under new Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden. He has an explosive first step but struggles to control encounters due to his 6-foot-1, 285-pound frame and lack of elite strength to compensate. Cross’ size may limit him in the pros, but his intangibles – handed down from his father and former Giants tight end Howard Cross – will endear him to coaches and give him a chance at a roster spot.

Etienne is a 6-foot-6, 329-pound tackle who brings a promising athletic profile to the NFL. He struggled on the right side of BYU’s offensive line in 2023 but thrived on the blindside in 2024 and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors. He has excellent length with 36-inch arms, but he has to find more ways to maximize his physical gifts with better technique and footwork.

McLaughlin spent four years at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State in 2024. As a Buckeye, he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and won the Rimington Trophy, given out annually to the best center in college football. That was despite missing the end of the season due to a torn Achilles, which required surgery and sidelined him throughout the pre-draft process. He fell out of the draft as a result, he’s an experienced, technically sound center with a reputation as a smart, dedicated worker on and off the field. With a smooth recovery, he could turn into one of the steals of the 2025 class with the potential to succeed Ted Karras as the Bengals’ starting center.

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/9/25

May 9th, 2025 at 9:10pm CST by Ely Allen

We saw a busy day of 2025 NFL Draft pick signings today. Here are the mid- to late-round picks who inked their four-year rookie deals:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati Bengals

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New York Giants

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/9/25

May 9th, 2025 at 6:41pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are the minor NFL transactions to close out the week:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Received roster exemption (international player): OL Valentin Senn

Atlanta Falcons

  • Received roster exemption (international player): K Lenny Krieg
  • Waived: DT Junior Aho

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Received roster exemption (international player): S Dante Barnett

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

  • Waived (with failed physical designation): WR Jeff Foreman

Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota Vikings

  • Received roster exemption (international player): P Oscar Chapman

New York Jets

  • Received roster exemption (international player): G Leander Wiegand

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Dyson was cut from the team after news that running back Jonathon Brooks‘ placement on the physically unable to perform list would, in fact, still count him against the 90-man roster limit. They initially were told by the league that he would not count, but the updated guidance today necessitated that they lose a man.

Jackson joins Seattle’s undrafted free agent rookie class after they announced their 17 signees almost a week ago. A successful rookie minicamp tryout led to him securing a contract.

Similarly, Bentley, for whatever reason was also announced separately from the Colts’ UDFA class, even though the class was announced only a few hours before his signing. The 24-year-old hasn’t been a lead back since his 2020 season at SMU, but in three years apiece at SMU and Ole Miss, Bentley never averaged below five yards per carry in a season.

Trey Hendrickson Could Hold Out Amid Contract Stalemate With Bengals

May 7th, 2025 at 4:36pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Bengals are at a stalemate with Trey Hendrickson. The team has yet to meet his demand for a contract extension or a trade, which could lead him to hold out this summer, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Hendrickson is due $16MM in 2025, the final year of his contract. After leading the league in sacks on the way to a first-team All-Pro selection in 2024, he wants a new deal that pays him as one of the league’s top edge rushers and keeps him in Cincinnati for the foreseeable future. If the Bengals won’t pay him, he’d prefer to be traded to a team that will.

If the team doesn’t meet either of those demands, Hendrickson seems prepared to skip OTAs and potentially continue a holdout into training camp. That would leave the Bengals without their best defensive player as they install a new scheme under new defensive coordinator Al Golden.

Missing Hendrickson during training camp would be concerning, but manageable. An extended holdout into the regular season, however, could be disastrous for a Cincinnati defense that lacks another pass-rushing threat. Hendrickson was responsible for 17.5 of the team’s 36 sacks last year; no other Bengal posted more than 5.0. That should give him significant leverage in the coming months, especially since the team declined to add any proven pass-rushing talent this offseason.

The Bengals did draft Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart, a pick that has largely been viewed in the context of Hendrickson’s contract situation. While the two had similar frames and athletic profiles as prospects, Stewart’s lack of college production makes it unlikely he can make up for the potential absence of his veteran teammate right away. The Bengals already needed a second starter on the edge after parting ways with Sam Hubbard this offseason, so selecting Stewart was likely more about finding a pass-rushing partner for Hendrickson rather than a direct replacement.

Cincinnati has engaged with Hendrickson on an extension, and their rejection of multiple trade offers indicates a desire to get a deal done. However, major financial commitments to Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Joe Burrow may deter the notoriously frugal franchise from giving a long-term market-level deal to Hendrickson. He’s stated a desire to stay in Cincinnati, but if the team has no designs to keep him past 2025 or trade him to a new team this summer, he may have to settle for a one-year raise and hope to cash in as a free agent next year.

Bengals, S Geno Stone Agree To Restructure

May 6th, 2025 at 8:59am CST by Adam La Rose

Geno Stone will remain with the Bengals for 2025, but he will do so at a reduced rate. The veteran safety has agreed to a restructured pact, Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap reports.

Stone was due to receive $6.48MM this year, but that figure has now dropped to $4.9MM. The Bengals have guaranteed $1.5MM of the compensation contained in the new agreement, which ensures he will play in Cincinnati in 2025. Stone, 26, remains a pending 2026 free agent.

A seventh-round pick in 2020, Stone saw his usage rate increase with each passing season during his tenure with the Ravens. That included an 82% snap share in 2023, a year in which he posted seven interceptions and played a key role in Baltimore’s defensive success. That performance helped Stone’s market value, and he landed a two-year, $14MM pact from the Bengals last spring.

The Iowa product was a full-time starter during his debut Cincinnati campaign, but he was one of several defensive players on the team who underperformed. Stone managed four interceptions and a career-high 81 tackles, but his work in coverage left plenty to be desired. The safety spot was a talking point this offseason as a result, and in January Stone found himself among the Bengals’ potential cap casualties.

Instead, he and Jordan Battle remain in the fold. Cincinnati elected not to re-sign veteran Vonn Bell this spring, but the team did not select a safety during the draft. New defensive coordinator Al Golden has expressed confidence in Battle’s ability to take on a full-time starting gig starting in 2025, so a tandem with Stone is in store as things stand. The Bengals could of course still look to bring in a veteran, though; Justin Simmons, Julian Blackmon and Jordan Whitehead are among the experienced options still on the market.

The Bengals ranked 21st against the pass last season, and improvement in that department will be needed in 2025 for a return to the playoffs to be possible. Stone will have a role to play in that regard, and a bounce-back campaign would help his value ahead of free agency next spring.

Bengals Still Working On Extension For DE Trey Hendrickson

May 4th, 2025 at 10:06pm CST by Rory Parks

The Bengals selected edge rusher Shemar Stewart with their first-round choice (No. 17 overall) in last month’s draft. The pick created speculation that fellow EDGE Trey Hendrickson – who has been looking for a new contract from Cincinnati for several years and who was given permission to seek a trade in March – may indeed be on his way out.

As The Athletic’s Dianna Russini noted in a recent Scoop City podcast, however, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor shot down that notion (video link). Of course, it is difficult to imagine Taylor saying anything that would reveal the club’s plans or weaken its negotiating position with teams interested in Hendrickson, but according to Russini, Taylor’s remarks were not mere coach-speak. She is still getting “good vibes” from the team with respect to this situation and believes Cincy is still working hard to hammer out an extension.

Per Russini, the Bengals are trying to “get creative” and “move money” to bridge the gap with Hendrickson. As it stands, the Bengals have $25MM of cap space and are projected to have over $72MM of room in 2026 – this despite the massive deals authorized for both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins this offseason – so the resources do appear to be available.

Hendrickson, 30, signed a one-year extension in July 2023 that took the free agent contract he signed with the Bengals in 2021 through the upcoming 2025 campaign. As part of that contractual update, the four-time Pro Bowler received $21MM in new money, though the $15.8MM base salary he is scheduled to earn this year pales in comparison to the figures at the top of the exploding pass rusher market, which now features seven players enjoying AAVs of at least $28MM.

Having posted 17.5 sacks for the second consecutive year in 2024 en route to his first First Team All-Pro nod, Hendrickson understandably wants a contract commensurate with his market value. Despite the Bengals allowing him to look for a trade partner that would also greenlight a new mega-deal, they have set a lofty asking price in a trade and have rejected multiple offers from interested teams. The lack of movement in trade discussions could accelerate Cincinnati-Hendrickson talks, though traction in those negotiations has also been difficult to come by.

Since the Bengals seem unwilling to let Hendrickson go unless another team comes through with the type of trade package that presently appears unrealistic, Hendrickson may have to accept something of a discount if he wants to land a new multiyear pact in the near future. Russini acknowledges as much, and she believes he wants to stay in Cincinnati while confirming the team wants to retain him, so there may yet be a way for the parties to find common ground.

The Bengals ranked near the bottom of the league in terms of total defense, scoring defense, and sacks in 2024, so despite the Stewart addition, a Hendrickson departure (coupled with Sam Hubbard’s retirement) would certainly undermine the team’s attempts to return to the playoffs in 2025. 

2025 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team

May 3rd, 2025 at 2:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here is every team’s haul from the 2025 NFL Draft:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Read more

2026 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

May 1st, 2025 at 11:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2022 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:

  • Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
  • One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
  • Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th-highest salaries at their position:
    • At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
    • A 75% snap average across all three seasons
    • At least 50% in each of first three seasons
  • Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position

We covered how last year’s Pro Bowl invites affected the 2022 first-round class. With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the 2026 option decisions from around the league:

  1. DE/OLB Travon Walker, Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
  2. DE/OLB Aidan Hutchinson, Lions ($19.87MM): Exercised
  3. CB Derek Stingley Jr., Texans ($17.6MM): Extended through 2029
  4. CB Sauce Gardner, Jets ($20.19MM): Exercised
  5. OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, Giants ($14.75MM): Exercised
  6. T Ikem Ekwonu, Panthers ($17.56MM): Exercised
  7. T Evan Neal, Giants ($16.69MM): Declined
  8. WR Drake London, Falcons ($16.82MM): Exercised
  9. T Charles Cross, Seahawks ($17.56MM): Exercised
  10. WR Garrett Wilson, Jets ($16.82MM): Exercised
  11. WR Chris Olave, Saints ($15.49MM): Exercised
  12. WR Jameson Williams, Lions ($15.49MM): Exercised
  13. DT Jordan Davis, Eagles ($12.94MM): Exercised
  14. S Kyle Hamilton, Ravens ($18.6MM): Exercised
  15. G Kenyon Green, Eagles* ($16.69MM): Declined
  16. WR Jahan Dotson, Eagles** ($16.82MM): Declined
  17. G Zion Johnson, Chargers ($17.56MM): Declined
  18. WR Treylon Burks, Titans ($15.49MM): Declined
  19. T Trevor Penning, Saints ($16.69MM): Declined
  20. QB Kenny Pickett, Browns*** ($22.12MM): Declined
  21. CB Trent McDuffie, Chiefs ($13.63MM): Exercised
  22. LB Quay Walker, Packers ($14.75MM): Declined
  23. CB Kaiir Elam, Cowboys**** ($12.68MM): Declined
  24. G Tyler Smith, Cowboys ($20.99MM): Exercised
  25. C Tyler Linderbaum, Ravens ($20.99MM): Declined
  26. DE Jermaine Johnson, Jets ($13.92MM): Exercised
  27. LB Devin Lloyd, Jaguars ($14.75MM): Exercised
  28. DT Devonte Wyatt, Packers ($12.94MM): Exercised
  29. G Cole Strange, Patriots ($16.69MM): Declined
  30. DE George Karlaftis, Chiefs ($15.12MM): Exercised
  31. DB Dax Hill, Bengals ($12.68MM): Exercised
  32. S Lewis Cine, Vikings: N/A

* = traded from Texans on March 11, 2025
** = traded from Commanders on August 22, 2024
*** = traded from Eagles on March 15, 2024; traded from Steelers on March 10, 2025
**** = traded from Bills to Cowboys on March 12, 2025

Bengals Likely To Release Germaine Pratt?

May 1st, 2025 at 10:35am CST by Adam La Rose

Throughout the offseason, Germaine Pratt has represented a cut candidate for the Bengals. The veteran linebacker remains in the fold for now, but that may soon change.

Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic writes it “shouldn’t be long until” Pratt is released by Cincinnati (subscription required). Cutting the six-year veteran (before or after June 1) would yield $5.85MM in cap savings while generating $2.33MM in dead money. One season remains on Pratt’s contract.

The NC State product made nine starts as a rookie and he has remained a fixture on defense ever since. Pratt – who turns 29 later this month – set a new career high with 143 tackles last season. The Bengals have Logan Wilson in place as the anchor of the LB unit for 2025 and beyond, though, and the draft brought about a pair of additions at the position. That includes Demetrius Knight Jr., who will likely find himself in a starting role if/when Cincinnati moves forward with a Pratt release.

The latter requested a trade in February, but to no surprise teams have proven to be unwilling to pursue a deal in his case. With Pratt on track to be released, suitors can of course wait for him to become a free agent in the post-draft market. Cincinnati has Wilson and Knight in place, along with Barrett Carter – selected in the fourth round of the draft – and free agent signing Oren Burks. It would come as no surprise if the team entered training camp with that core group not including Pratt.

If the former third-rounder is indeed let go, he will join a free agent linebacker group which also features Shaq Thompson, Kyzir White, Ja’Whaun Bentley and De’Vondre Campbell. As the Bengals sort through their depth chart in the wake of the draft, Pratt’s situation remains one to watch.

Bengals To Exercise DB Dax Hill’s Fifth-Year Option

April 29th, 2025 at 1:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

Dax Hill is coming off a season marred by an ACL tear, but the Bengals are still high on the former first-round pick. Rather than shift the converted safety into a contract year, the team is extending his rookie contract through 2026.

The rehabbing cornerback will see his fifth-year option exercised, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports. This is an interesting decision, but Hill had won a starting CB job in Cincinnati after being moved from safety last year.

Hill’s option cost likely is motivating a Bengals team, one that changed defensive coordinators earlier this year, to stick with the 2022 first-round pick. Although Hill spent more time at safety than corner during his fifth-year option, Fowler notes his option price is expected to land on the fourth tier at corner. That would call for a $12.68MM guarantee. Were Hill to be classified as a safety, the number would settle at an even more manageable $9.27MM.

Still, this is an interesting decision due to Hill having suffered an ACL tear in Week 5 of last season. The Bengals had moved him from safety to corner before OTAs last year, sliding him closer to the line of scrimmage after Chidobe Awuzie‘s free agency defection. Hill, 24, beat out former Michigan teammate DJ Turner for a starting job opposite Cam Taylor-Britt. Cincinnati’s Tuesday decision provides some momentum for Hill as he completes rehab from a major injury.

Hill had played well at corner after the switch. Pro Football Focus graded the 6-foot defender in the top quartile at the position last season, though he did not log enough snaps to qualify as a 2024 regular. This, however, differs from how the advanced metrics site assessed his play at safety. PFF graded Hill 90th out of 95 qualified safeties in 2023, as the Bengals struggled to replace Jessie Bates.

Hill only has one full season as a starter under his belt, having played behind Bates and Vonn Bell as a rookie. Hill’s 2024 injury served as part of the Cincy defense’s undoing last year, but Al Golden appears to still view him as a building block ahead of his first year as DC.

As the team prepares to reintegrate Hill into its starting lineup, Turner and Taylor-Britt remain on their rookie deals. Neither is eligible for a fifth-year option due to both having been second-round picks. One season remains on Taylor-Britt’s deal, two on Turner’s. Despite Lou Anarumo‘s defense unraveling — to deny the team a playoff berth and Joe Burrow a potential MVP award — last season, no major CB investments have come this offseason. That points to considerable faith in Hill, and Tuesday’s option decision illustrated that.

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