The Cincinnati Bengals got the cap-saving moves started this week with the release of defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins.
That, as projected for a while now, should only be the beginning.
Those Bengals got a cap boost from Rankins’ release and the reveal that the 2025 salary cap should be higher than expected.
These are the other names the Bengals could look to move on from this offseason and the cap space provided.
DE Sam Hubbard ($9.6 million)
Hubbard struggled mightily last year while apparently playing through an injury that should have ended his season. The time for the youth movement with Myles Murphy and others is now, especially at this asking price.
OL Alex Cappa ($8 million)
Cappa collapsed in 2024, landing on a 50.5 PFF grade (110/135 ranked guards). Even with a new line coach on board, it’s hard to imagine the Bengals risk Joe Burrow again and again, at this price.
LB Germaine Pratt ($5.8 million)
Pratt requested the trade and it is safe to presume they might’ve approached him about a pay cut first. He’s not going to earn his current $8.1 million cap number on the open market. The problem with finding a trade is whether another team would actually make a move for him, knowing he’ll become available soon anyway.
RB Zack Moss ($3.3 million)
Moss had a few flashes and seemed like a good fit, but it’s impossible to ignore Chase Brown’s breakout. The unfortunate neck injury put an early end to Moss’ season. The Bengals could look to a similar-priced veteran or even a rookie to serve as the rotational helper in Brown’s backfield.
S Geno Stone ($6.5 million)
It feels like things have trended toward Stone sticking around under a new coordinator. There’s some value in that now that he knows the system. But this could hinge on whether they feel like they can find a good replacement or not.
