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Cincinnati Bengals News & Rumors

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/16/24

November 16th, 2024 at 8:56pm CST by Ely Allen

Saturday’s minor moves, including standard gameday practice squad elevations:

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Toney is set to make his debut for the regular season. The former first-round pick out of Florida has had a rocky first four years in the league, despite coming away with two Super Bowl rings in Kansas City. He was signed to the Browns’ practice squad just after the season opener and will be eligible to see game action with Cleveland in Week 11.

O’Donnell was added to the 49ers’ practice squad earlier this week given the chance of Mitch Wishnowsky missing time. The latter is now on injured reserve, ensuring at least a four-game absence. O’Donnell, 32, is a veteran of 145 games but Week 11 will mark his first regular season action since 2022.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/15/24

November 15th, 2024 at 7:12pm CST by Ely Allen

Friday’s minor NFL moves:

Cincinnati Bengals

San Francisco 49ers

Wright was recently placed on injured reserve in order to make room for rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall on the active roster. He was an injury replacement for primary kicker Jake Moody before getting placed on IR himself. With Moody back, Wright’s place on the team became superfluous.

AFC North Notes: Steelers, Powers, Wills

November 15th, 2024 at 3:36pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Steelers are not expected to re-sign offensive linemen Dan Moore and James Daniels after the 2024 season, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show.

Moore is in the final year of his rookie contract with 58 career starts at left tackle for the Steelers, a solid return for the fourth-round pick used to draft him in 2021. However, he allowed at least seven sacks in each of his first three seasons, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), and Pittsburgh used first-round draft picks on tackles in 2023 and 2024, signaling a desire to upgrade at the position. Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu primarily played left tackle in college, giving the Steelers multiple options to take over on the blindside in 2025.

Daniels started just four games at guard this year before tearing his Achilles, which will likely end his tenure in Pittsburgh. Daniels signed a three-year, $26.5MM contract with the Steelers in 2022 and largely played well over the last three years. However, the seven-year veteran will be looking to cash in on the massive increase in the guard market. Pittsburgh may not be inclined to spend so much at guard after drafting Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick this past year, especially with T.J. Watt and George Pickens in line for extensions at more expensive positions.

  • Browns left tackle Jedrick Wills said on Monday that his recent benching “was pretty shocking,” per Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. “I made a business decision not to play after the Bengals game going into that Ravens game because I was injured,” explained Wills. He hyperextended his right knee on the first play against the Bengals in Week 7 and managed to finish the game but “couldn’t really bend” his knee the following day. He sat out Week 8 against the Ravens and was subsequently benched for Dawand Jones. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that “business decision” was a “poor choice of words” by Wills, though it would not affect whether or not he would play again this year, per Cabot. Stefanski also hinted that Willis’ 2023 injury is still hampering him. “I wouldn’t categorize it as a setback,” said Stefanski, per The Athletic’s Zac Jackson. “It hasn’t recovered how quickly he would want it to…it’s been a tough rehab for him.” Wills opted for surgery last year to repair his torn MCL – in the same knee he hyperextended recently – and did not debut until Week 3 this year. Wills is currently in the final year of his rookie contract, and his health issues may complicate extension negotiations with the Browns.
  • Broncos left guard Ben Powers confirmed he didn’t receive an offer to re-sign with the Ravens when he hit free agency in 2023, according to Chris Thomasson of The Denver Gazette. “I didn’t hear from them,” said Powers, who signed with the Broncos on a four-year, $52MM deal and returned to Baltimore for the first time in Week 9. However, the sixth-year guard didn’t hold it against Baltimore, saying that he “kind of understood their situation. That was the offseason they were handling [Lamar Jackson‘s] contract, so I kind of anticipated it.”
  • Steelers offensive line coach Pat Meyer will be expected to develop his group of young blockers over the next few seasons as Pittsburgh figures out a long-term plan at quarterback. Meyer in his third year with the team after Shaun Sarrett was fired after the 2020 season and his successor, Adrian Klemm, left for Oregon before the end of 2021. His departure was related to tensions with then-offensive coordinator Matt Canada, per Kaboly. The Steelers then fired Canada in November 2023, the franchise’s first in-season coaching change since 1941.

Tee Higgins Expected To Leave Bengals In 2025

November 13th, 2024 at 10:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

With Ja’Marr Chase still on a rookie contract and Joe Burrow‘s extension not set to produce lofty cap numbers until 2025, the Bengals took advantage of circumstances to use the franchise tag on Tee Higgins. Of the nine franchise- or transition-tagged players this year, Higgins became the only one not extended.

This rental setup has never looked likely to lead to a long-term deal, with a low-ball extension offer underwhelming Cincinnati’s No. 2 wideout. The sides are not believed to have engaged in substantive discussions since early 2023. As Chase puts together a dominant season that should probably be expected to net him the NFL’s top receiver contract in 2025, Higgins looks to be on the verge of relocating. The prospect of a second franchise tag looms, but it would be pricey for the Bengals.

As it stands, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes the expectation is for Higgins to be elsewhere next year. Going further, Fowler offers that there is “little to no chance” Higgins is a Bengal beyond 2024. This prospect raises the stakes for the former second-round pick, whom the Bengals denied from testing free agency this year. If permitted to reach the market in 2025, Higgins figures to do very well.

The Bengals are projected to hold more than $65MM in cap space next year; that accounts for Chase’s fifth-year option number and Burrow’s cap spike. Chase counts $21.82MM on Cincy’s 2025 cap, with that number matching Higgins’ current franchise tender. Burrow’s cap hit will balloon from $29.6MM this year to $46.3MM in 2025. Still, it should not necessarily be considered a lock the Bengals pass on a tag-and-trade scenario for Higgins, as the two-time 1,000-yard receiver could certainly fetch an asset if moved that way.

Cincinnati would need to weigh how a $26.2MM Higgins tag for next year would affect its budget and whether the return would would match a potential third-round compensatory pick, one that would arrive in 2026. The Packers collected first- and second-round picks from the Raiders for Davante Adams in 2022. Higgins is not in that class, but the Dolphins received a third-rounder for Jarvis Landry in a tag-and-trade scenario in 2018. That would seem realistic for a player who has been valuable to the Bengals’ 2020s resurgence. Those are the only two WR tag-and-trade moves over the past 10 years.

Higgins, 25, has some work to do to hit 1,000 yards during the season’s second half. He is sitting on 341, having missed five games due to injuries. These issues will affect his market, though plenty of teams will be interested in a player who has long been considered a potential No. 1 wideout playing in the role of a WR2 thanks to Chase’s presence. Higgins totaled 1,091 yards in 2021 and helped the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI; he then hit 1,029 to boost the team back to the AFC championship game. A 2023 season plagued by injury and Burrow’s wrist setback limited Higgins last year, and no significant extension talks transpired this offseason.

Teams called on Higgins at the past two deadlines; the Bengals, as expected, did not bite. Higgins remains key to Cincy’s hopes at steering this season toward a wild-card berth. The 6-foot-4 weapon joined Trey Hendrickson in requesting a trade this offseason but soon acknowledged he considered an exit unlikely. The Bengals are not believed to have offered a deal that came especially close to $20MM per year when negotiating in 2023. With the market having spiked (and with Chase’s likely 2025 extension poised to raise the ceiling higher), Higgins should expect to do better than $20MM per annum if he tests the market next year.

The Bengals have not seen Jermaine Burton progress much as a rookie but have seen sporadic production from 2023 sixth-rounder Andrei Iosivas, who has 17 receptions for 228 yards and four touchdowns this season. With a potential Higgins exit on the radar for a while, the Bengals have had time to map out their receiver situation. They would still likely pursue more help to replace Higgins, and it looks like — whether a separation comes through a free agency defection or a tag-and-trade maneuver — that reality will come to pass next year.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/11/24

November 11th, 2024 at 8:06pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are today’s NFL practice squad updates:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals

Houston Texans

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

The Bengals signed Brightwell after hosting several veterans for workouts on Monday, per FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz. Leonard Fournette and Xavien Howard were among the players who auditioned in Cincinnati, but neither player left with a deal.

CB Xavien Howard, RB Leonard Fournette Visit Bengals

November 11th, 2024 at 12:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

12:57pm: Howard received an offer after his workout concluded, Garafolo notes in an update. No deal was reached between team and player, however. As a result, Howard will now resume training on his own as he awaits another opportunity.

9:53am: Xavien Howard has remained on the market past the trade deadline, and he has not been connected to any potential suitors since well before the regular season started. The former All-Pro corner is now on at least one team’s radar, however.

Howard is set to visit the Bengals today, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. Cincinnati’s defense has been a sore spot during the year, and the team ranks 22nd against the pass. Adding in the secondary would thus come as no surprise, especially in the wake of Dax Hill‘s October ACL tear.

The Dolphins released Howard this offseason, and it quickly became clear a new Miami deal at a reduced rate would not be in the cards. The four-time Pro Bowler (and Houston native) expressed interest in joining the Texans, but that feeling did not turn out to be mutual. Despite being medically cleared in May, teams did not show interest in Howard; in spite of that, he has remained intent on suiting up at some point in 2024.

The 31-year-old was named in a lawsuit in July; criminal charges have not been sought up to this point but they could include sexual cyber harassment, invasion of privacy by public disclosure of private facts and intrusion of privacy if that were to be the case. A resolution has not arrived (at least publicly) in Howard’s legal situation, but the Bengals could look to add him depending on how today’s visit goes. The Baylor product has a relationship with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo dating back to their time together in Miami.

Howard is not the only veteran receiving a look in Cincinnati. Garafolo’s colleagues Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport report Leonard Fournette is set for a free agent on Monday as well. The Bengals lost Zack Moss for the season due to a neck injury, something which prompted the trade acquisition of Khalil Herbert from the Bears. Herbert logged only two snaps in his Cincinnati debut, fumbling his first handoff with the team.

In Moss’ absence, Chase Brown has operated as the team’s lead back. Brown has recorded 40 carries and 14 receptions over the past two games, and he figures to maintain a heavy workload moving forward. Even with Herbert in place as a backup option, though, the team could afford to add further insurance in the backfield. Fournette made a pair of appearances with the Bills last season, but he saw only 12 carries during that time.

The 29-year-old met with the Colts just before the start of the regular season, but that visit did not produce an agreement. Fournette’s last sustained gig came during his three-year Buccaneers stint, one which ended in his release last February. He has topped 1,100 scrimmage yards four times in his career.

The Bengals currently have $8.32MM in cap space, so a modest deal for Howard and/or Fournette would be feasible from a financial standpoint. The team sits at 4-6 on the year, but additions on either side of the ball could assist in a late-season playoff push.

Patriots Claim DE Yannick Ngakoue

November 9th, 2024 at 12:15pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

SATURDAY, 12:15pm: The Bengals were the only other team to make a claim on Ngakoue, per ESPN’s Field Yates.

FRIDAY, 3:55pm: The Patriots have claimed Yannick Ngakoue off waivers after the veteran pass-rusher was waived by the Ravens on Thursday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Ngakoue recorded 1.5 sacks in 87 defensive snaps across five games with the Ravens this season, his second stint in Baltimore after arriving as a trade deadline acquisition in 2020. The Ravens needed to make room on their 53-man roster for the activation of Keaton Mitchell from the Physically Unable to Perform list, forcing them to waive Ngakoue despite his rotational role in the pass rush since signing him to the practice squad in September.

Since Ngakoue was cut by the Ravens after the trade deadline, he was subject to waivers rather than becoming a free agent and choosing his next team. Now, he will join the 2-7 Patriots, his seventh different NFL team since 2019.

The Patriots traded Josh Uche to the Chiefs last week, leaving them thin at edge rusher. Ngakoue will only cost the Patriots $656,667 – the remaining portion of his veteran minimum salary – for the rest of the season.

New England’s pass rush has struggled this season with just 16 sacks, the fourth-fewest in the league. Ngakoue’s 1.5 sacks rank fourth on the team’s active roster, behind Keion White, Deatrich Wise, and Jaquelin Roy.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/8/24

November 8th, 2024 at 6:43pm CST by Ely Allen

Friday’s minor roster moves:

Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati Bengals

New England Patriots

San Francisco 49ers

Taylor was waived today in anticipation of everyone’s expectation that Christian McCaffrey will finally be coming off of injured reserve to make his season debut this week.

Virgil was previously on the Broncos but landed on waivers as part of final roster cuts before the start of the regular season. According to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette, Denver tried desperately to sign him to their practice squad after he cleared waivers, but Virgil ultimately decided to sign with Buffalo’s practice squad. He’ll now get an opportunity on the team’s active roster after two standard gameday elevations this year.

Despite being a vested veteran, McMillan will need to clear waivers in order to be re-signed to the Patriots’ practice squad, per Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. The team already has Joe Giles-Harris and Monty Rice on the practice squad at the position.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/7/24

November 7th, 2024 at 5:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Thursday’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Cincinnati Bengals

Chicago Bears

Detroit Lions

Miami Dolphins

New York Giants

Logue will lose his roster spot after the Bills signed both Quinton Jefferson and Jordan Phillips on Wednesday. Both vets landed on Buffalo’s active roster. A sixth-round Falcons draftee this year, Logue had caught on with the Bills last month; Buffalo signed the rookie off Atlanta’s practice squad. Logue played 36 defensive snaps with the Bills.

Joseph, who has been with four teams since 2024 began, will head back into free agency. The length of his injury settlement will determine how quickly he can join a team. The three-year Vikings kicker signed with the Packers in free agency and landed with the Lions’ practice squad shortly after not making Green Bay’s 53-man roster. The Giants had signed Joseph off the Detroit taxi squad after Graham Gano‘s injury. Gano is in the IR-return window now, and New York used former Irish Gaelic footballer Jude McAtamney against Washington last week. McAtamney is back on the Giants’ practice squad.

2024 NFL Trades

November 5th, 2024 at 10:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

We have reached the 2024 trade deadline, which came one week later than the league’s usual endpoint. An offseason measure to move the deadline back one week passed, sliding the deadline beyond Week 9 after it had resided the Tuesday following Week 8 since 2012. That opened the door to more activity this year.

The 2024 offseason also featured extensive work, as teams added starters and depth pieces. Here are the trades involving veteran players (or rookies already drafted) to take place this year:

March 4

Bears chose defensive end Austin Booker at No. 144

March 9

Broncos sent Seahawks No. 136, included 203 in trade with Jets for QB Zach Wilson

March 10

Patriots chose QB Joe Milton at 193

March 11

Bucs drafted WR Jalen McMillan at No. 92; Lions traded No. 201 to Eagles

Panthers traded down from No. 39, giving Rams access to DT Braden Fiske; team moved No. 141 in Bills deal that sent WR Xavier Legette to Carolina. Giants chose RB Tyrone Tracy at 166.

March 12

Bengals chose DB Daijahn Anthony at No. 224 

March 13

Texans traded No. 232 to Vikings

Ravens chose WR Devontez Walker at No. 113, QB Devin Leary at 218; Jets drafted RB Braelon Allen at 134

March 14

Commanders traded Nos. 78, 152 to Eagles in trade that sent CB Cooper DeJean to Philadelphia; Seahawks moved down from No. 102, drafted G Sataoa Laumea at 179

Bolts traded No. 110 to Patriots 

March 15

Steelers chose LB Payton Wilson at No. 98; Eagles traded No. 120 to Dolphins in package that brought back 2025 third-rounder

March 16

Fields must play in 51% of Steelers’ offensive snaps for pick to elevate from sixth to fourth round

March 22

Chiefs traded No. 221 to Bills; Titans chose OLB Jaylen Harrell at 252

March 29

Pick would have become second-rounder had Reddick played 67.5% of Jets’ 2024 defensive snaps and recorded at least 10 sacks. Reddick’s holdout ensured Philly’s pick will land in Round 3.

April 3

Texans dealt No. 189 to Lions for Nos. 205, 249

April 12

Browns chose CB Myles Harden at No. 227

April 22

In trade that gave Vikings J.J. McCarthy draft real estate at No. 10 overall, Jets sent No. 203 to Minnesota; Broncos chose C Nick Gargiulo at 256

April 27

May 9

August 9

August 11

August 14

Dallas carried Phillips on its active roster for two games, meeting minimum requirement for conditional sixth to transfer

August 22

Pick did not convey due to Commanders cutting York before he played in two games with team

August 23

August 24

August 26

August 27

August 28

October 14

October 15

Pick would upgrade to second-rounder if Adams earns first- or second-team All-Pro recognition or is on Jets’ active roster for 2024 AFC championship game or Super Bowl LIX

October 23

Pick would become fourth-rounder if Hopkins both plays 60% of Chiefs’ remaining offensive snaps and Kansas City advances to Super Bowl LIX

October 28

October 29

Robinson’s playing time will determine if Jags pick climbs to a fourth-rounder and whether Vikings will end up receiving 2026 seventh

November 4

November 5

Sixth-rounder going to New Orleans comes from pick Saints sent Commanders for John Ridgeway 

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