The Cincinnati Bengals are deep in high-stakes contract negotiations following a disappointing season in which they missed the playoffs, despite an outstanding year from quarterback. Their focus now is securing long-term deals for key players, However, in order to afford the hefty contracts these stars are seeking, the Bengals must make significant roster cuts. One such move came on Friday, according to a well-known NFL insider.
“The Bengals have released veteran defensive tackle, freeing up $9.6 million in cap space. A free-agent signing that didn’t work out,” reported Ari Meirov.
The decision sparked reactions from fans on social media. Some were surprised by Rankins’ release, speculating that the team was making room for a major free-agency acquisition. Others saw it as the first of many moves to clear cap space, predicting more roster changes ahead.
With tough financial decisions still looming, it remains to be seen how Cincinnati will navigate their cap situation while securing their core players for the future.