The Cincinnati Bengals recently revealed their full 16-member practice squad, and one of the names stood out above the rest.
No, it wasn't offensive tackle Blake Freeland, who's much lighter in the rear than the far bulkier tackles this coaching staff and personnel department prefer in Cincinnati. It was lengthy cornerback Trikweze Bridges.
You might be wondering why I believe that is, considering the Bengals' cornerback room is in the best spot it's been in for quite some time. It's quite easy to see the promise from Bridges upon closer examination, though.
Trikweze is loose from the 'Flus
Having to endure the insufferable Matt Eberflus as his defensive coordinator in Dallas last season could've been enough to torpedo Trikweze Bridges' entire NFL trajectory. Instead, he made the most of it and acquitted himself quite well.
For an undrafted rookie who got waived by the Chargers and got thrust into surprisingly heavy duty for a dreadful Cowboys defense, Bridges held his own for the most part.
Imagine being targeted thirteen times in one game. That happened to Bridges in 2025 when the Cowboys lost 44-24 at Denver. Bridges let up seven completions and two TDs, but did manage an interception.
All told, Bridges played 248 defensive snaps in an awful situation with America's Team and lived to tell the tale. There won't be nearly as much pressure on him in Cincinnati, and he has traits to die for (not literally but ya know).
Bengals are starting to lean into a different physical prototype at cornerback
Third-round rookie Tacario Davis enjoyed a nice stock boost in Bengals training camp and the preseason. Part of that was due to Dax Hill being sidelined for most of that time. Davis is about 6'4" and is a far different body type than Hill or DJ Turner. Trikweze Bridges skews closer to Davis in that regard, too.
Although he's listed at 6'2", 200 pounds, the real standout attribute for Bridges ghat bodes well for his future is a whopping 6'9" wingspan. Those pterodactyl arms at the catch point can do wonders for him, and aid his ability to recover on plays where he's initially beaten in coverage.
Bridges also ran a 4.45 40 coming out of the University of Florida, including an impressive 1.51-second 10-yard split. That blend of length and explosiveness can keep you around the NFL for a long time.
Bridges' path to the active roster is clearer than many realize
Is it just me, or could Trikweze Bridges flip a game this season with that 6'9" wingspan to block a punt or a field goal? Everything about this guy screams special teams ace at the very least.
There's also some Bengals present and past to consider with Bridges' presence on the taxi squad, and what it could mean for his future.
Jalen Davis toiled away fro years on the practice squad before finally getting a shot as last year's starting nickelback. Davis hasn't looked back from that opportunity, locking it down again for this season.
Cincinnati corners D.J. Ivey and Josh Newton are both pending free agents. Ivey defied the odds to make the 53-man roster. Newton will hit the open market next offseason, too, and he barely made the roster cut after being in the doghouse for much of camp.
In addition to immediate potential value on special teams, Bridges could be a long-game, big-picture depth piece who becomes a staple on the cornerback depth chart as a key reserve.
And who knows what the Bengals' cornerback room looks like beyond the 2026 campaign? The longer the front office drags their feet on paying Turner his big extension, and the better Hill plays, the more difficult it will be to keep both of them around for the long haul.
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