Bengals lauded for smart under-the-radar UDFA signing
By Kristen Wong
The Cincinnati Bengals had a fairly quiet draft compared to previous years, but their post-draft moves have generated a bit of buzz around the league.
Some of their best undrafted free agent signings include wideout Jaivon Heiligh, guard Ben Brown, and linebacker Carson Wells, but don’t forget about special teams: Cincy also inked Pittsburgh long snapper Cal Adomitis to a deal that could reap plenty rewards in the future.
The former Panthers long snapper was recognized as college football’s consensus best at his position, and Adomitis arguably ranks as one of the smartest under-the-radar moves the Bengals have made so far.
The folks over at Good Morning Football certainly took notice and had this to say about Adomitis:
"“He played at Pittsburgh. He’s one of the leaders of the entire program…last year he cut off his hair, raised $117,000 for pediatric cancer research. He is one of those guys who profiles as a future Walter Payton Man of the Year candidate.”"
Cincinnati Bengals made a sneaky smart move to sign long snapper Cal Adomitis
Special teams value? Check. Culture fit? Check. Adomitis could be in Cincinnati for a while.
Adomitis will compete for the long snapper job against veteran Clark Harris this summer in a season that could be Harris’ last. Harris has been the Bengals’ long snapper since 2009, but the passing of the baton is inevitable, and the Bengals wisely filled a potential position of need in advance.
As an undrafted player, Adomitis still has to prove his value on the field, and long snapper is one of those positions that doesn’t allow much leeway for mistakes.
Still, Adomitis was a First Team All-American long-snapper in 2021 and has the pristine college record to make it in the pro league. At the very least, he offers insurance in case Harris gets injured in 2022, but at his best, he could develop into the franchise’s go-to long snapper for years to come.
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Cincy loves a good underdog success story as much as anybody, and hopes are high that Adomitis has what it takes to become a cornerstone piece in the special teams unit.