Cincinnati Bengals Team Update

With the NFL draft a month away, we are going to give you a recap so far on the Cincinnati Bengals’ off-season, which will include free agents pickups to players that have left the team due to another organization signing them.

Dec 29, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Jason Campbell (17) looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half at Heinz Field. The Steelers won the game, 20-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

PLAYERS LIKELY TO BE GONE:

LB Michael Boley: joined the team midseason when a rash of injuries hit. He only collected eight tackles. His return is unlikely with a new crop of drafted linebackers along with Emmanuel Lamur and Taylor Mays returning from serious injury.

S Chris Crocker: lived on the fence between retirement and return the last two seasons, joining the Bengals following Week 3 each of the last two years. He spent most of last season covering in the slot once Leon Hall went down. He’s started to look into post-career possibilities and would be more likely to retire than return.

P Zoltan Mesko: joined the team after Kevin Huber went out for the year and Shawn Powell was cut. Huber is fine so no need for Mesko. He won’t be back.

OT Dennis Roland: was let go and brought back Dec. 3 when offensive line injuries crept up. The versatile move tight end has spent six years with the Bengals but making the 53-man roster will be an uphill battle.

TE Alex Smith: will be entering his 10th year and that age probably dooms him. If the Bengals add a tight end in the draft he’ll likely land elsewhere since Tyler Eifert and Jermaine Gresham have the top two spots locked down. A developmental project would be better suited for that spot.

WR Dane Sanzenbacher: played well in the preseason and made most of limited opportunities last year in the slot. His limited role will keep teams at bay from offering him much and the Bengals always indicated an affection for the way he plays.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED:

S Taylor Mays: two- year deal.

G Mike Pollak: three-year deal.

LB Vincent Rey:  two-year deal.

WR/KR Brandon Tate: three-year deal.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED:

QB Jason Campbell: FA Browns; 1 yr deal.

S Danieal Manning: FA Texans; 1 yr deal.

DE Dontay Moch (waivers Cardinals).

OT Marshall Newhouse: UFA Packers 1 yr deal.

CB R.J. Stanford: Not tendered as RFA by Dolphins; 1 yr deal.

PLAYERS LOST:

T Anthony Collins: Tampa Bay Buccaneers; $30M/5 yrs, $15M guaranteed.

C Kyle Cook (released).

CB Brandon Ghee: San Diego Chargers; $1.65M/2 yrs.

LB James Harrison (released).

WR Andrew Hawkins: Cleveland Browns (tendered at $1.431M with no compensation); Bengals didn’t match offer of $13.6M/4 yrs.

DE Michael Johnson: Tampa Bay Buccaneers; 5 year deal.

QB Greg McElroy (released/retired).