Every Bengals player slated to hit free agency in 2022 offseason
Bengals Free Agents in 2022
- Eli Apple
- Jessie Bates
- B.J. Hill
- Larry Ogunjobi
- Riley Reiff
- Quinton Spain
- C.J. Uzomah
These are the six biggest names hitting free agency for Cincinnati. Out of this group, if I had to guess, I’d say maybe all are retained except for Hill and Ogunjobi but that’s a complete guess.
Apple, Ogunjobi, and Reiff were all newcomers to the team this offseason to help shore up their respective areas.
Apple got off to a slow start but by midseason was looking like a nice addition to the team. He definitely got roasted (and deservedly so) on social media for giving up the game-winning touchdown after he was talking trash for months. Everyone was waiting for Apple to fail and it feels like he might return but not as a starter.
Bates might have had his worst regular season but he showed up and played hero ball in the playoffs when it mattered the most. His pick in the Super Bowl should have propelled the team into a better position but that didn’t happen. With his playoff heroics, Bates deserves to get his extension from Cincinnati.
Hill was a trade acquisition from the Giants and it only took former first-round bust Billy Price to land him. I’d love to see Hill back in the stripes next season but he’s going to be a popular name in free agency.
Ogunjobi joined the team in free agency and like Hill, he’ll be a popular name in free agency. I’d be surprised if he was back in Cincinnati next season.
Reiff was signed to help shore up the offensive line while Spain was re-signed for that same reason. Reiff switched from his preferred position of left tackle to the right side of the line while Spain won the starting left guard job.
Spain went on to have a great season while Reiff was decent but missed the final two months due to injury. Both guys will hopefully re-sign but Reiff might not be someone the team should fixate on due to his injuries.
Uzomah is someone I’d expect to see back simply because he appears to love the organization. It wouldn’t be unfathomable to see him take less money to stick with the team who drafted him in the fifth round several years ago.