Bengals save $4.76 million cap hit releasing Giovanni Bernard
The Cincinnati Bengals announced on Wednesday morning that they have released veteran running back Giovanni Bernard. Releasing Bernard saves the Bengals a $4.76 million hit against the salary cap. Samaje Perine will become the primary backup to Bengals starting RB Joe Mixon with the release of Bernard.
Replacing Bernard as a receiver out of the backfield will be the primary concern. Bernard had 47 receptions for 355 yards and three touchdowns in 2020. In eight seasons in the Queen City Bernard had 921 carries for 3,697 yards rushing and 22 rushing TDs with 342 receptions for 2,867 receiving yards and 11 TDs.
Perine is not the receiver Bernard is. In 44 career games over four seasons, Perine has 36 receptions for 253 yards and one TD. Perine has 952 yards rushing and four TDs in the NFL. Mixon played in only six games last season because of a foot injury. Mixon ran for 428 yards and four TDs and had 21 receptions for 138 yards and a TD.
Bernard leaves the Bengals with 342 career receptions, the most by a running back in Bengals history, and is second with 2867 receiving yards. Bernard was the most tenured player remaining on the Bengals roster following the release of defensive tackle Geno Atkins last month. Tyler Boyd is now the most tenured Bengal.
If the 6th Rd pick received for Dunlap doesn’t make the roster, the Bengals will start the 21 season with ZERO to show in return for:
— Andrew Russell (@Andrew_Russell7) April 7, 2021
Carlos Dunlap
Geno Atkins
A.J. Green
Giovanni Bernard
Carl Lawson
William Jackson
Andrew Whitworth
Kevin Zeitler
At 5’9, 205 pounds Bernard is considered to be a third-down RB more than a starter. Perine is 5’11, 240 pounds. Perine was signed to a two-year $3.3 million contract last month. In addition to Mixon and Perine, Cincinnati has Trayveon Williams and Jacques Patrick on their roster at RB. Williams could replace Bernard.
In addition to rushing for 3,615 yards and 34 TDs at Texas A&M from 2016-2018, Williams had 66 receptions for 561 yards and one TD. Despite having the size of a fullback at 6’3, 231 pounds, Patrick was an adept receiver at Florida State with 47 receptions for 356 yards.
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The Bengals will potentially select a versatile RB in the middle rounds of the NFL Draft to replace Bernard. If a RB Cincinnati wants is not available when they choose, they will likely sign someone as an undrafted free agent. Perine and Williams seem likely to receive larger roles in 2021 with Patrick adding depth.