What worked out and what didn’t?
The Cincinnati Bengals had an active offseason last year, and now that we’ve had a year to look back on it, some moves make a ton of sense, and some leave us scratching our heads.
Let’s recap the Bengals 2024 moves and see where they are today.
2024 Cincinnati Bengals free agency results one year later
The Bengals again made a splash in free agency in 2024 early on, signing Sheldon Rankins to a two-year, $24.5 million deal with $8 million guaranteed. Rankins appeared in just seven games in 2024 while dealing with an illness that wiped out over half of his season. After the season, the Bengals cut Rankins, and he returned to the Houston Texans on a one-year deal.
The Bengals were again players in the veteran tight end market last season, signing Mike Gesicki to a one-year, $3.25 million deal. Gesicki became a valuable piece of the offense, catching 65 passes for 665 yards and two touchdowns. This offseason, the Bengals resigned Gesicki to a three-year, $25.5 million deal.
The team also made the decision to move on from running back Joe Mixon, trading him to the Houston Texans shortly after it was announced that they were signing Zack Moss to a two-year, $8 million deal. Mixon went on to have a very good year in Houston, while Moss lost the majority of his 2024 season to a neck injury.
There was also movement in the safety room with the team signing Geno Stone to a two-year deal worth $15 million and bringing back veteran Vonn Bell on a league minimum deal. Stone struggled early and didn’t really seem to get back on track until late in the season. He will be back in 2025, but Bell is still a free agent after not looking like the player from his first stint in Cincinnati.
Cody Ford also signed a one-year deal in 2024, leading to him getting multiple starts at guard and tackle on both sides of the line. The Bengals valued Ford’s versatility, and after the 2025 season, they brought him back on a two-year deal.
Trent Williams was signed to a one-year deal before an Achilles tear ended his season early.
The Bengals also signed Trayveon Williams, Akeem Davis-Gaither, and Tanner Hudson to one year deals, with Hudson being the only one on the roster a year later.
Overall, the Bengals’ 2024 free agency moves left a lot to be desired, but Gesicki was a nice bright spot.
2024 NFL Draft picks of the Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals picked at No. 18 in the 2024 NFL Draft and selected offensive tackle Amarius Mims. Mims was set to learn behind the previously mentioned Williams but was forced into a starting role after the injury. Mims had some rookie moments and battled an ankle injury of his own, but showed the upside to be the Bengals’ right tackle of the future.
In the second round, they drafted Michigan defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr., who saw playing time as a rookie. The pro game looked to be a bit of an adjustment for Jenkins, who will fight for more snaps in 2025.
The Bengals took a chance on wide receiver Jermaine Burton in the third round. His talent was never in question, but Burton’s rookie season was filled with off-the-field issues and disciplinary benchings. Burton missed two games for disciplinary reasons. He is still with the team in 2025, and head coach Zac Taylor says he is attacking the offseason program the right way.
In the fourth round, they selected defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, who also got some playing time as a rookie. He recorded 15 combined tackles and one sack as a rookie and will look to earn a bigger role in a reshaped defensive line room.
Erick All Jr. was another fourth-round selection who looked to be carving out a role for himself on the offense before a torn ACL cut his season short. Unfortunately, reports are that the injury will cost All the entire 2025 season as well.
Fifth-rounder Josh Newton played significant snaps as a rookie due to injuries in the room and the up-and-down play of Cam Taylor-Britt. Newton showed a lot of promise last season and is now in the competition to take over the slot cornerback role.
They finished up their 2024 draft class with tight end Tanner McLachlan, defensive end Cedric Johnson, and safety Daijahn Anthony. All three struggled to see significant snaps, with Anthony’s most notable moment being a Week 2 pass interference call against the Kansas City Chiefs that essentially sealed the game for KC.
Overall, the Bengals’ 2024 draft class is still a big unknown heading into the 2025 season. Mims looks like a good right tackle, but can he stay healthy?
2024 offseason trades by the Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals were quiet on the trade market, as usual. The Joe Mixon trade mentioned above netted them a seventh-round pick, which they would later trade to bring in running back Khalil Herbert during the 2024 season. Herbert fumbled on his first carry as a Bengal and would run for just 114 yards the rest of the season before moving on in free agency this year.
Overall, the 2024 offseason wasn’t great for the Bengals, but they still ended up with several promising young players they can attempt to build around as they focus on the postseason.