Cincy Jungle
What worked out and what didn’t?
The Cincinnati Bengals had an active offseason last year, and now that we’ve had a year to look back on it, some moves make a ton of sense, and some leave us scratching our heads.
Let’s recap the Bengals 2024 moves and see where they are today.
The Bengals again made a splash in free agency in 2024 early on, signing Sheldon Rankins to a two-year, $24.5 million deal with $8 million guaranteed. Rankins appeared in just seven games in 2024 while dealing with an illness that wiped out over half of his season. After the season, the Bengals cut Rankins, and he returned to the Houston Texans on a one-year deal.
The Bengals were again players in the veteran tight end market last season, signing Mike Gesicki to a one-year, $3.25 million deal. Gesicki became a valuable piece of the offense, catching 65 passes for 665 yards and two touchdowns. This offseason, the Bengals resigned Gesicki to a three-year, $25.5 million deal.
The team also made the decision to move on from running back Joe Mixon, trading him to the Houston Texans shortly after it was announced that they were signing Zack Moss to a two-year, $8 million deal. Mixon went on to have a very good year in Houston, while Moss lost the majority of his 2024 season to a neck injury.
There was also movement in the safety room with the team signing Geno Stone to a two-year deal worth $15 million and bringing back veteran Vonn Bell on a league minimum deal. Stone struggled early and didn’t really seem to get back on track until late in the season. He will be back in 2025, but Bell is still a free agent after not looking like the player from his first stint in Cincinnati.
Cody Ford also signed a one-year deal in 2024, leading to him getting multiple starts at guard and tackle on both sides of the line. The Bengals valued Ford’s versatility, and after the 2025 season, they brought him back on a two-year deal.
Trent Williams was signed to a one-year deal before an Achilles tear ended his season early.
The Bengals also signed Trayveon Williams, Akeem Davis-Gaither, and Tanner Hudson to one year deals, with Hudson being the only one on the roster a year later.
Overall, the Bengals’ 2024 free agency moves left a lot to be desired, but Gesicki was a nice bright spot.
The Bengals picked at No. 18 in the 2024 NFL Draft and selected offensive tackle Amarius Mims. Mims was set to learn behind the previously mentioned Williams but was forced into a starting role after the injury. Mims had some rookie moments and battled an ankle injury of his own, but showed the upside to be the Bengals’ right tackle of the future.
In the second round, they drafted Michigan defensive...
