The Cincinnati Bengals have their best roster since their deep playoff runs following the 2021 and 2022 seasons. They haven't returned to the playoffs since, and in light of that fact, they can't afford to carry any dead weight into the new football year.
OK that's harsh to call any NFL player dead weight. Anyone who makes it this far in pro football deserves respect. Nevertheless, it is a business at the end of the day, and the best, most promising players should be the ones who make the 53-man roster.
But now that the Bengals have proven they'll go all-in for a Super Bowl this offseason, they could still add multiple talented contributors once mass roster cuts happen around the league. Having a little extra cash on hand could, well, come in handy.
So rather than clinging to players just for the sake of it, these three Bengals need to be shown the door, even if it's difficult for Duke Tobin and the personnel department to stomach it.
Jack Endries' emergence makes Drew Sample entirely expendable at tight end
The rookie seventh-round pick caught a 4-yard TD in his preseason debut, one of many highlights from the impressive 2026 draft class.
But Endries faces an uphill battle just to make the roster, never mind carve out a decent role. That's in large part because Cincinnati's brass is borderline trolling the fanbase by having Drew Sample atop the tight end depth chart.
Sample is a fine blocker and a decent locker room guy, but it's time to say goodbye. You cannot convince me his tangible skills or intangible qualities are worthy of keeping on the roster.
It's been a good run, Duke. You can say your 2019 second-round pick who's a pure blocking tight end was a hit. Congratulations!
Now let him go. Reward the fans and yourself by fast-tracking Endries' development. He is a stellar blocker and a superior athlete with far more pass-catching upside than Sample. Endries would also allow the Bengals to operate more efficiently under center and in 12 personnel down the road.
Cap savings: $2.85 million
McKinnley Jackson becomes Bengals' second 3rd-round pick to be waived since December
Hard to emphasize enough just how disappointing the 2024 draft class looks outside of right tackle Amarius Mims. The Bengals already waived third-round wideout Jermaine Burton in December, and the same fate could be in store for Burton's draft classmate, McKinnley Jackson.
At least when he was sharing extended time with Burton on last season's healthy inactive list, Jackson didn't go into the tank. he stayed patient, kept working, and played decently well in limited action toward the end of the year.
But the writing is on the wall. Cincinnati's blockbuster trade for Dexter Lawrence and expensive investment in T.J. Slaton leaves Jackson as the clear No. 3 nose tackle on the roster.
Rookie Landon Robinson is proving highly versatile as a 3-technique, occasional nose tackle, and is even getting some reps at fullback. Defensive coordinator Al Golden may feel comfortable enough with Robinson's chops at nose tackle, where he starred in college at Navy, to sign off on Jackson hitting the waiver wire.
Cap savings: $1.3 million
Offensive line reshuffle leaves Cody Ford as the odd man out
I wrote extensively about how lame it is that the Bengals are converting failed right guard Jalen Rivers to left tackle just so they don't have to look outside the building for a viable swing tackle. Because Rivers was a Day 3 draft pick in 2025, that could mean veteran Cody Ford is shown the door.
Ford is the by-default best swing tackle candidate. Not because he's good. he's just been in the league and in Cincinnati long enough to get the nod. The competition in training camp hasn't been inspiring. Hence Rivers' pivot back to his predominant college position.
The Bengals should absolutely capitalize on the chance to release Ford to free up some extra cash. They have a new guard in Brian Parker II who could play tackle in a pinch. No need for Ford to take up an extra roster spot, especially if Cincinnati is determined to see things through with Rivers, rather than give up and waive him after only one season.
Cap savings: $1.3 million
An extra $5.45 million in cap room would leave the Bengals with $22.3 million to work with before Week 1. They could either acquire some lingering, big-name free agent (Bobby Wagner, anyone?), or scoop up a surprise cut veteran from another team.
Jackson seems like the easiest cut candidate. The coaching staff and scouting department are too deeply wedded to Sample and Ford to make me confident they'll do the right thing. Should be an interesting roster cut down, that's for sure.
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