The Cincinnati Bengals are at a crossroads as they enter the 2025 off-season. They are coming off back-to-back disappointing seasons in which they missed the playoffs. Add the other-worldly numbers from Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Trey Hendrickson in 2024 and you have a team that has little room for error in free agency and the NFL Draft in Green Bay. The orange and black also have several players they would love to have back, headlined by Tee Higgins and important decisions will have to be made to build their future under Burrow. Let’s examine three players who might be cap casualties as the men in stripes try to climb their way back to the top of the AFC North.
3 Potential Cincinnati Bengals Cap Casualties
Alex Cappa
The interior of the Bengals’ offensive line has been abysmal the past two seasons and the poor play of Cappa has been an issue. Cappa signed a four-year, $35 million deal in 2022 and while he started strong and does have solid moments, his inconsistencies and inability to hold firm in the pocket in pass protection were too much at times for Burrow to overcome. Cincinnati would save $10,250,000 in 2025 if they were to release Cappa and that might be the road the Bengals go as a big first step in better protecting QB1.
Sheldon Rankins
No surprise here with a probable release of Rankins who was a disaster signing for the Bengals in hopes of replacing D.J. Reader. Rankins would only play in seven games and missed the entire second half of the year with an undisclosed illness. The cap hit for Rankins this season is $11,617,647 and this is an easy decision as the Bengals will count heavily on sophomores Kris Jenkins, and McKinnley Jackson, and reinforcements moving forward.
Sam Hubbard
The Cincinnati Kid and the most difficult potential cut of the three is Sam Hubbard. The veteran was hampered by a grade three hamstring tear suffered in training camp and he postponed surgery to play this season. While this is admirable, it was clear that Hubbard wasn’t fully healthy and he honestly was getting too many snaps late in the season on a bad defense. The Bengals tend to hold onto players too long and this seems to be the case with Hubbard who will forever be a legend for his Fumble in the Jungle return in the playoffs.
“I was terrified of getting caught!”
The Fumble in the Jungle was legendary
@Bengals | @Sam_Hubbard_ pic.twitter.com/0fPOEcjiz8
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) November 16, 2023
Hubbard has appeared in 104 games with 38.5 sacks and six forced fumbles and had a fine career for his hometown team if indeed is his time. He carries a cap hit very similar to that of Cappa and Rankins at $11,511,764 and releasing all three players would save the Bengals almost $34 million.
The NFL is all about building for tomorrow. Cincinnati needs to do a better job of looking continuously forward if they want to maximize Burrow’s prime years. The work starts now in the offices of Paycor Stadium. The coaches and front office better make it count.
*Research courtesy of Spotrac
Main Photo: Phil Didion/The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK
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