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Zack Moss

Bengals Release RB Zack Moss

July 30th, 2025 at 11:57am CST by Sam Robinson

A severe injury ended Zack Moss‘ 2024 season, and the Bengals are moving on ahead of a 2025 comeback bid. They released the veteran running back Wednesday.

Cincinnati made multiple additions to its running backs room this offseason, reacquiring Samaje Perine and drafting Tahj Brooks in the sixth round. Moss is also facing a potential career-ending injury, with The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. indicating the sixth-year veteran broke his neck in three places last season. Moss began Bengals camp on the active/NFI list.

The Bengals signed Moss to a two-year, $8MM deal in 2024, bringing in the Jonathan Taylor Colts backup/frequent fill-in to complement Chase Brown. Moss began last season as Cincinnati’s starter, but the November neck injury changed the equation. The Bengals reached an agreement on a reworking with Moss this offseason, tying the former Bills third-rounder to a one-year, $1.7MM deal ($375K guaranteed). This pointed to Moss making a return, but his injury has impeded that.

The severity of Moss’ neck injury did not surface until days before the Bengals’ Week 9 game last year. A two-month stay in a neck brace commenced, per Dehner, and Moss indicated he discussed retirement with HC Zac Taylor. Moss, though, did not need surgery and was cleared for offseason work. Conditioning spurred the Bengals’ reasoning for the active/NFI placement, rather than the neck issue.

Before the injury, Moss had not closely resembled his Colts version. He averaged just 3.3 yards per carry, as Brown became a more explosive option, last season. Moss, 27, was much better in 2023. He averaged 4.3 yards per tote in his lone full Colts season, replacing Taylor during a contract squabble and then due to injury. Moss produced 794 rushing yards and five touchdowns, helping Gardner Minshew guide the team to the playoff precipice that year.

It will be interesting to see if another team takes a chance on Moss before the season. Being cleared from the neck issue will help, but the injury was serious enough it has undoubtedly affected his NFL stock. The Bengals will take on $1.88MM in dead money from this cut.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/22/25

July 22nd, 2025 at 8:42pm CST by Ben Levine

With training camps kicking off around the NFL, teams continue to make adjustments to their rosters. Here are today’s minor moves:

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Waived: DT Dante Barnett
  • Placed on active/NFI: RB Zack Moss

Cleveland Browns

Green Bay Packers

  • Signed: K Mark McNamee

Houston Texans

  • Waived: CB Keydrain Calligan

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

  • Waived: OT Savion Washington

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

  • Waived: OT Obinna Eze

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

NFL Contract Details: Stafford, White, Moss

May 14th, 2025 at 10:04pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are recently released details on deals from around the NFL:

  • Matthew Stafford, QB (Rams): Two years, $84MM. This restructured deal was announced two weeks ago, but the details were just recently announced, including $40MM of guaranteed money. $4MM of the $84MM comes in the form of a roster bonus paid out in March, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. The remaining $80MM is split evenly over the next two seasons with $16MM base salaries and four $6MM bonuses ($24MM total) in each year. The bonus structure gives Los Angeles a bit of flexibility with the salary cap. The $40MM from 2025 is what makes up the guaranteed amount, and the 2026 $40MM fully guarantees on the fifth day of the new league year. On The Breer Report, Breer also mentioned that the new deal pays out $26MM more than Stafford was set to earn through 2026 and that Stafford essentially turned down what could’ve been deals from the Raiders and Giants for over $50MM per year in order to remain with the Rams in 2025.
  • Tre’Davious White, CB (Bills): One year, $3MM. The new deal for the veteran defender was reportedly worth up to $6.8MM. Now that we know the base value of the contract is only $3MM, we can see how much the incentives of the deal are worth, per Howard Balzer of CardsWire. White’s deal contains $2.2MM of guaranteed money, composed of his $1MM signing bonus and $1.2MM of his 2025 base salary (worth $1.56MM in total). White will have non-cumulative playing time-based incentives — $500K for 45% of defensive snaps, $750K for 55%, $1MM for 65%, $1.5MM for 75%, and $2.25MM for 90% — and non-cumulative interception-based incentives — $250K for two interceptions, $500K for three, $750K for four, and $1MM for five. Lastly, he’ll earn a per game active roster bonus of $20K for a potential season total of $340K.
  • Zack Moss, RB (Bengals): One year, $1.7MM. Like Stafford, Moss is another restructured deal. Previously set to earn $3.47MM for the 2025 season, Moss took a pay cut to hopefully avoid being a cap casualty and increase his guaranteed money for the year. The guaranteed money Moss added on the deal was a $375K signing bonus. He’ll also earn a $9K per game active roster bonus for a potential season total of $155K.

Zack Moss Reworks Contract, Likely Sticking With Bengals

April 21st, 2025 at 8:31pm CST by Ben Levine

Following a season-ending neck injury in 2024, Zack Moss‘s playing future was naturally in doubt. Today, the running back reworked his contract in a move that signals his return to the lineup in 2025.

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Bengals agreed to rework Moss’s contract in a move that provides the veteran with more guaranteed money and job security heading into the summer. Moss was attached to $3.47MM in nonguaranteed earnings in 2025. As Garafolo notes, today’s move signals that the organization is clearly “confident in his return.”

Following a 2023 campaign with the Colts where he finished with a career-high 986 yards from scrimmage, Moss joined the Bengals last offseason. The former Bills third-round pick was expected to be part of Cincy’s solution for replacing Joe Mixon, and Moss ended up starting each of the Bengals first five games last season.

He started seeing a reduced role around Week 6, and he was officially shelved in early November with a neck issue. While the ailment never appeared to be a definitive career-ender, it easily wiped out the rest of Moss’s 2024 campaign. The running back ultimately finished his first season in Cincinnati with 429 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns in eight games.

With Moss sidelined, Chase Brown easily ran with the RB1 role, so the veteran RB will likely be relegated to a backup role in 2025. Samaje Perine was also brought in for some veteran reinforcement, while Kendall Milton and Gary Brightwell are around for offseason depth. Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic also suggests that the Bengals could target the position during Day 3 of the draft.

Sheldon Rankins, Alex Cappa Among Bengals’ Potential Cuts

January 16th, 2025 at 8:31pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Bengals are projected to enter the 2025 offseason with just under $50MM in cap space, per OverTheCap, the 11th-most in the NFL. Still, that might not be enough for the front office to accomplish all of their offseason goals.

The front office will be focused on re-signing wide receiver Tee Higgins and offensive lineman Cody Ford while shoring up a defense that ranked in the bottom 10 in points and yards allowed in 2024. An extension for Ja’Marr Chase is likely also in the works, so $50MM may not be enough for all of their offseason priorities. The Bengals have a few options to create some additional cap space, according to Paul Dehner of The Athletic, starting with two veterans in the trenches.

Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins struggled to anchor the interior of Cincinnati’s defensive line this season, making it unlikely the team will carry him at a $10.6MM cap hit. He played in just seven games before coming down with an undisclosed illness that sidelined him for the rest of the season. The Bengals can save $8.6MM by releasing Rankins, with a dead cap charge of just $2MM.

Offensive guard Alex Cappa played through an injury to start all 17 games in 2024, but struggled to protect the pocket for Joe Burrow. Cappa has been an iron man since signing with the Bengals in 2022, starting all but one regular season game with 3,319 total snaps, but he hasn’t played well enough to merit his $10.25MM cap charge in 2025. The Bengals can clear $8MM in cap savings by releasing him while absorbing a $2.25MM dead cap hit.

Dehner lists a handful of additional potential cap casualties, including linebacker Germaine Pratt, safety Geno Stone, and running back Zack Moss. One of the organization’s tougher decisions will surround the team’s longest-tenured player. Defensive end Sam Hubbard is attached to an $11.5MM cap hit in 2025, and the team would be left with only $2.5MM in dead cap by moving on from the veteran. Hubbard’s play has declined in recent years, but the edge rusher is still one of the most beloved players in franchise history. Because of his connection to the organization, Dehner wonders if the two sides may be able to find a common ground that reduces the player’s cap number and allows him to finish his career in Cincy.

As Dehner notes, Cincinnati Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn has drawn criticism for being reluctant to hand out guaranteed money beyond the first season of a contract. That’s already led to some degrees of tension with Higgins, Chase, and Jessie Bates. On the flip side, it’s also provided the front office with some easy outs on under-performing veterans like Rankins and Cappa. After the Bengals disappointed in 2024, the team could be eyeing a roster overhaul, and the team can unlock more wiggle room thanks to the creative structuring of their contracts.

Ben Levine contributed to this post.

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/5/24

November 5th, 2024 at 9:07pm CST by Ely Allen

Tuesday’s minor moves:

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Washington Commanders

Free Agent

We don’t have a reason for Moreland’s suspension yet, but we know that it will last three weeks. He hasn’t played in the NFL since 2021, but if a team were to sign him, he wouldn’t be available for three games.

Bengals, Bears Agree On Khalil Herbert Trade

November 5th, 2024 at 7:44am CST by Sam Robinson

Rumored to be on the trade block, Khalil Herbert will be on the move on deadline day. The Bears are trading the veteran running back to the Bengals, according to NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero.

The Bengals, who lost Zack Moss to a neck injury that caused him to miss Week 9, will send the Bears a 2025 seventh-rounder, Pelissero adds. This is a rental move, as Herbert is in a contact year, but it is certainly notable for a Bengals team not known for in-season moves. Moss’ injury prompted the Bengals to call around on RBs over the past week, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. Moss is expected to miss the rest of the regular season, Pelissero and NFL.com colleague Mike Garafolo report.

[RELATED: Bears Open To Trading G Nate Davis]

This marks only the second time in 52 years the Bengals have acquired a player in-season. They did so in the Carlos Dunlap trade four years ago, adding O-lineman B.J. Finney. But Mike Brown‘s franchise is deviating from its M.O. to help a team that entered the season with high expectations.

Herbert had fallen out of Chicago’s RB rotation, playing behind free agent signing D’Andre Swift and 2023 draftee Roschon Johnson. Although the Bears do not profile as a true seller due to their 4-4 record, they will give Herbert an opportunity to finalize his free agency case. Herbert had operated as a key Bears back from 2021-23, but he was drafted by prior GM Ryan Pace. Ryan Poles will pick up an asset for a player no longer in the team’s plans.

Rumors about Herbert’s availability came up recently, as the former Kansas and Virginia Tech cog’s Bears role had diminished. Although Herbert heads to Cincinnati after having logged just eight carries for 16 yards this season, the former sixth-round pick played much bigger roles for high-end Bears rushing attacks previously. Herbert helped Chicago’s then-Justin Fields-centered ground game lead the NFL in 2022. He averaged 5.7 yards per carry in 2022, totaling a career-high 731 rushing yards that season. Last year, Herbert gained 611 on the ground, averaging 4.6 per tote.

The Bengals are 4-5 and have a difficult Week 10 assignment — a Thursday Ravens matchup in Baltimore — but they are not believed to be done adding at today’s deadline. Cincinnati continues to push for defensive help, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. The Bengals have regressed significantly on defense, ranking 25th to effectively remove Joe Burrow‘s margin for error on the other side of the ball. With the Burrow-Ja’Marr Chase–Tee Higgins troika perhaps in its final act together, it is understandable Cincy — its reputation for deadline inactivity notwithstanding — intends to explore more trades today.

Herbert will join Burrow and Co., being set to team with second-year RB Chase Brown. Both players came into the NFL with speed-based profiles. Herbert, 26, has a chance to assemble a free agency case with his second NFL team. Brown is signed through 2026, while Moss is attached to the Bengals through 2025. Though, Moss’ two-year, $8MM deal does not feature any 2025 guarantees. The Bears have Swift signed through 2027, and Johnson’s rookie contract goes through 2026.

Bengals RB Zack Moss Out Indefinitely With Neck Injury

November 4th, 2024 at 2:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Bengals were shorthanded in the backfield for yesterday’s win, and that will likely remain the case for at least a brief stretch. Head coach Zac Taylor announced on Monday that Zack Moss is out indefinitely as he continues to deal with a neck injury.

[RELATED: TE Erick All Suffers ACL Tear]

Moss had been active for each of Cincinnati’s first eight contests this season, handling a notable workload. The free agent pickup handled between nine and 15 carries for the first five weeks of the season, but that figure then dropped with second-year back Chase Brown seeing an uptick in opportunities. Brown had a workhorse role yesterday with 32 touches, and that will likely continue as long as Moss is absent.

The latter does not have a firm recovery timeline in place at this point, with ESPN’s Ben Baby noting more information will be sought out over the coming days. At a minimum, it can be expected Moss will be sidelined for Week 10 since the Bengals are set to play on Thursday night. If he is absent for that contest, the team’s offense will be shorthanded for a pivotal rematch against the Ravens.

Like a slew of teams around the NFL, the Bengals made changes at the running back spot this offseason. Longime starter Joe Mixon was traded to the Texans, paving the way for a more cost-effective backfield in 2024. Moss was signed on a two-year, $8MM pact with a larger workload in store for Brown, a former fifth-round pick. Those two have been leaned in in the wake of Chris Evans‘ season-ending August injury, something which did not bring about a reunion with Samaje Perine or any other depth additions.

Brown’s explosiveness was named as a key factor for his ability to operate effectively in a tandem this year, although questions about his pass protection were raised. The 24-year-old Canadian will likely have ample opportunity to continue developing in that area if Moss misses considerable time leaving him alone atop the depth chart. Brown has racked up 577 scrimmage yards and six total touchdowns this season.

Moss’ totals in both areas (429 and three) have been outpaced by Brown’s, but the former Bill and Colt has remained a key figure on offense for Cincinnati. His health will be an important storyline for the 4-5 Bengals as they look to continue their momentum from the past few weeks. Ahead of a quick turnaround, Moss’ status (like that of wideout Tee Higgins and left tackle Orlando Brown Jr.) will be worth monitoring closely.

Dax Hill Wins Starting CB Job; Bengals Likely To Make RB Addition

August 24th, 2024 at 11:10am CST by Sam Robinson

This year’s Bengals training camp pitted two former Michigan teammates against each other for a starting job. Despite Dax Hill changing positions this offseason, he won the matchup.

The Bengals moved Hill from safety to cornerback, and a competition with DJ Turner formed. Although Turner started 12 games as a rookie, The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. notes it will be Hill who opens the season as Cincinnati’s starting outside corner opposite Cam Taylor-Britt (subscription required).

Moved to corner to start the offseason program, Hill fared well at a position he also saw time at while with the Wolverines. The 2022 first-round pick and Turner, a 2023 second-rounder, each saw time in Jim Harbaugh‘s secondaries from 2019-21. Hill has been moved around at the pro level as well, playing both safety and in the slot. He appears to have found a home — for the time being, at least — on the perimeter.

After starting just two games as a rookie, the former No. 31 overall pick worked as a 17-game starter in 2023. This produced 110 tackles but poor coverage metrics; Pro Football Focus rated Hill as the sixth-worst safety regular last season. The Bengals also changed up their safety equation this offseason, bringing back Vonn Bell and signing ex-Raven Geno Stone.

Lou Anarumo‘s secondary will feature experience on the backend and youth on the boundary, with Taylor-Britt only going into his third season. Chidobe Awuzie left in free agency, but rather than Turner stepping in, a somewhat unexpected conclusion took shape. Turner will step into the team’s top backup role. Mike Hilton remains on the roster as a veteran presence, supplying considerable seasoning in the slot.

Additionally, Dehner continues to name Samaje Perine as a reunion candidate. The prospect of the Bengals bringing back their former backup/passing-down back surfaced this offseason, and Perine is not a lock to make the Broncos’ 53-man roster. Perine would pass straight to free agency if released, as a vested veteran, but the Bengals could also ensure they end up with the ex-Joe Mixon backup by trading for him.

Perine is tied to a $2.83MM salary this season, and he played a key role as a Russell Wilson outlet option during the Broncos’ five-game win streak last year. But Denver may end up keeping only three backs. Javonte Williams, who may well have been battling Perine for a roster spot, has solidified himself as Denver’s starter. The team has shifty rotational piece Jaleel McLaughlin and fifth-round rookie Audric Estime in line to make the initial 53 as well.

Cincy traded Mixon to Houston for a seventh-round pick and added Zack Moss as a lower-cost replacement. The team will carry 2023 fifth-rounder Chase Brown, with Trayveon Williams still in place as a third-stringer. The Bengals, however, lost fourth-year RB Chris Evans to a season-ending patellar tendon tear recently. Brown should be expected to start over Moss, per Dehner, despite the team giving the recent Colts spot starter a two-year, $8MM deal.

Even if Perine does not make it back to Ohio, Dehner names running back as the position the Bengals will most likely try to upgrade in the coming days. Teams have until 3pm CT Tuesday to set their initial 53-man rosters.

Bengals RB Chris Evans Suffers Season-Ending Injury

August 15th, 2024 at 8:04pm CST by Ben Levine

Chris Evans has suffered a season-ending injury. Per Jordan Schultz, the Bengals running back suffered a torn patellar tendon that will force him to miss the 2024 campaign.

Schultz notes that the running back faces a recovery timeline of nine months, and the Bengals expect the player to make a full recovery. Evans suffered the injury during today’s practice, with ESPN’s Courtney Cronin and Ben Baby reporting that the RB was injured while covering for a kickoff. Evans’ leg was placed in an air cast before he was carted off the practice field.

The 2021 sixth-round pick has spent his entire career in Cincinnati. Evans has seen a consistent role on special teams during his Cincinnati tenure, collecting seven tackles and returning 14 kickoffs for a 22.4-yard average. He’s only collected 137 offensive snaps in his 34 career games, but he showed some flashes as a rookie, hauling in 15 of his 17 targets and averaging 4.5 yards on his 17 carries.

2023 marked a low point for the player, as he found himself firmly behind Joe Mixon, Trayveon Williams, and Chase Brown. He was reportedly rebounding this summer, with both Schultz and Baby noting that Evans was having a very strong training camp. The Bengals added Zack Moss this offseason to replace Mixon atop the depth chart, but it sounds like Evans had an opportunity to leap some of his teammates for a key backup role.

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