Cincinnati Bengals Depth Chart
- AFC North
- Stadium
- Paul Brown Stadium
- Head Coach
- Zac Taylor
- Offensive Coordinator
- Brian Callahan
- Defensive Coordinator
- Lou Anarumo
- Special Teams Coach
- Darrin Simmons
- Defensive Scheme
- 4-3
The Cincinnati Bengals released cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick on Tuesday. The Bengals went all out to improve their defense in free agency, so Kirkpatrick is being shown the door. The 17th overall pick in the 2012 draft, Kirkpatrick should still see significant interest late in free agency now that he's available. The 30-year-old hasn't played in a full season since 2015 and started just six games in 2019 due to injuries. He recorded one sack, 33 tackles (27 solo), four passes defensed and one fumble recovery. In the right situation, Kirkpatrick could be an effective veteran presence for another team's secondary.
All options are still on the table for Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton. The Bengals have been open to trading him, but the possibility remains that they will also hang onto him. Dalton doesn't have guaranteed money remaining on his contract, so they are in no rush to move him. With Cincy expected to take LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the No. 1 pick in next month's draft, Dalton would be the backup entering the 2020 season if he stays with the team. The 32-year-old was benched at one point in 2019 and completed 59.5 percent of his passes for 3,494 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in his 13 starts. At this point in his career, the former TCU star has become a backup.
The Cincinnati Bengals agreed to an undisclosed three-year deal with former New Orleans Saints safety Vonn Bell on Wednesday. Along with Bell, Cincy has added defensive tackle D.J. Reader, cornerbacks Trae Waynes, Xavier Su'a-Filo and Mackensie Alexander and linebacker Josh Bynes in free agency. Bell, 25, is one of the most productive safeties in the league, so he'll certainly be an upgrade to Cincinnati's back end. The former second-round pick in 2016 had 89 tackles (66 solo), 1.5 sacks, one interception, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries (one TD) in 13 games for the Saints in 2019. He'll continue to be on the IDP map at his position.
The New England Patriots haven't discussed a trade for Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, and something would have to change for them to suddenly turn their attention to him. Jarrett Stidham is currently atop the Patriots QB depth chart now that Tom Brady left in free agency to choose the Buccaneers. However, the Pats are remaining calm and aren't panicking. They could look to either Dalton or Cam Newton if either quarterback is outright released, but the more realistic plan is that they'll address their quarterback situation in the draft. It'll be weird to see New England piloted by someone other than No. 12 under center in 2020, and it will seriously hurt the fantasy upside of wide receiver Julian Edelman and all of the team's other skill players on offense. Dalton seems destined to serve as some team's backup this season.
The Cincinnati Bengals agreed to a three-year, $42 million deal with cornerback Trae Waynes on Tuesday, according to a source. Waynes will receive $20 million in the first year of the deal and will average $14 million over the course of the deal. The Bengals jumped into the free-agent action on Tuesday, signing both Waynes and nose tackle D.J. Reader to help improve one of the worst defenses in the league in 2019. Waynes, 27, was the 11th overall pick by the Vikings in 2015. He hasn't really lived up to the expectations with just seven interceptions in his five seasons, but he'll be a starter in Cincinnati, likely in the slot.