The 2025 Bengals Rosters Thread: Coaches & Players

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

Well, we have our first FA signing of the year other than the Future's guys. TE Cam Grandy (ERFA) has signed a 1 year deal. Salary not available yet.

Grandy was signed from the PS and earned some rotational and special teams snaps down the stretch. PFF graded him out at 63.5 on offense (65.6 run block and 74.9 pass block) on limited snaps. He graded out at 82.7 on special teams, 2nd on the team to Shaka Heyward's 83.0.

https://www.cincyjungle.com/2025/1/21/24348748/cam-grandy-bengals-best-special-teams-players

As an ERFA, Grandy had to take an extension offer, and the Bengals wasted no time making it. I'd expect other ERFA's/RFA's to follow suit soon if we want them back (Rehkow, Adomitis). Kirkland is also an ERFA, and York a RFA, but those guys are dicier for a return.
-----------
2025 Bengals Rosters: Coaches & Players

I. Current Coaching Roster

https://www.bengals.com/team/coaches-roster/

A. Head Coach & Coordinators
Head Coach: Zach Taylor
Offensive Coordinator: Dan Pitcher
Defensive Coordinator: Open (Lou Anarumo fired)
Chief of Coaching staff: Doug Rosfeld
----------------

B. Offensive Coaches
Pass game coordinator: Justin Rascati
OL: Scott Peters
WR: Troy Walters
TE: James Casey
RB: Justin Hill
QB: Brad Kragthorpe
-----------
Offensive assistant: Jordan Salkin
OL assistant: Michael McCarthy
QB assistant: Fredi Knighten
-----------

C. Defensive Coaches
Senior Defensive Assistant: Open (Mark Duffner fired)
DL: Open (Marion Hobby fired)
LB: Open (James Bettcher fired)
Secondary/CBs: Charles Burks
Secondary/Safeties: Jordan Kovacs
------------
Defensive Assistant: Ronnie Regula
Defensive Quality Control: open (Louie Cioffi fired)
----------

D. Special Teams Coaches
ST Coordinator/Assistant HC: Darrin Simmons
ST Assistant: Ben Jacobs

E. Strength & Conditioning
Head/DIR Player Performance: Joey Boese
Ast STR & COND: Diamond Simmons
Ast STR & COND: Garrett Swanson

https://www.bengals.com/team/coaches-roster/
=====================

II. Current Player Roster: Signed for 2025 = 45

Offense = 22
QB (2): Burrow; Browning
RB (3): C. Brown; Moss, Milton
WR (5): Chase, Iosivas; C. Jones, I. Williams, Burton
TE (4): D Sample; All, Grandy, McLachlan
OT (3): O. Brown, Mims, Cochran
G (3): Cappa, Volson; Stueber
C (2): Karras (C/G), Lee (C/T/G)
----------------
Defense = 22
DE (5): Hendrickson, Hubbard; Murphy, C. Johnson, I. Thomas
DT (3): Rankins; Jenkins, Jackson
LB (4): L. Wilson, Pratt; Njongmeta, Heyward
CB (6): CTB, D. Hill; Turner, Newton, Ivey, L Robinson
S (4): Battle, Stone; Anderson, Anthony
---------------
PK: McPherson
P:
LS:
=================

III. Signed to Future's Contracts = 11

These guys do technically take up roster spaces and cap space at the moment. But effectively they do not, as none of them have any Dead Cap hit if released. These are camp bodies, practice squad types with perhaps a dark horse candidate to make the 53 or two.

But it does give one a better idea if how much space we'd have eith a full toster i stead of only 44.

1. RB Gary Brightwell
2. WR Kendric Pryor
3. WR Cole Burgess
4. OT Andrew Coker
5. OG Tayshawn Manning
6. DE Raymond Johnson III
7. LB Craig Young
8. CB Micah Abraham
9. CB Nate Brooks
10. S PJ Jules
11. S Jaylen Key

https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-sign-11-players-to-reserve-future-contracts-bengals-roster-update

IV. Bengals Free Agents: 53/IR

Pos, Player

1. WR2:Tee Higgins
---------
2. DT1: BJ Hill
3. CB3: Mike Hilton
4. TE2/WR4: Mike Gesicki
5. P: Ryan Rehkow (ERFA)
6. LS: Cal Adomitis (RFA)
-------------
7. RT1: Trent Brown
8. OG3/OT4: Cody Ford
9. DE3: Joseph Ossai
10. LB3: Akeem Davis-Gaither
11. S3: Vonn Bell
12. RB3: Khalil Herbert
------------
13. DE5: Cam Sample
14. TE4: Tanner Hudson
15. DT5: Jay Tufele
16. LB4: Joe Bachie
17. OG5/OT6: Jaxson Kirkland (ERFA)
18. PK: Cade York (RFA)
------------
19. RB4: Trayveon Williams
20. RB5: Chris Evans
21. OG/OT: D'Ante Smith
22. CB7: Marco Williams
-------------
23. CB Jalen Davis (PS)
24. OC/OG: Tre Hil (PS)
25. QB: Logan Woodside (PS)
------------

IV. Bengals FA's, Re-signed (1)
1. Cam Grandy, TE, ERFA, 1 year, $???

V. Bengals FA's, Signed elsewhere (1)
1. DT: Dominique Davis (PS), Pitt Future's contract
------------

[*pally*]

(01-21-2025, 05:12 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Well, we have our first FA signing of the year  other than the Future's guys. TE Cam Grandy (ERFA) has signed a 1 year deal. Salary not available yet.

Grandy was signed from the PS and earned some rotational and special teams snaps down the stretch. PFF graded him out at 63.5 on offense (65.6 run block and 74.9 pass block) on limited snaps. He graded out at 82.7 on special teams, 2nd on the team to Shaka Heyward's 83.0.

https://www.cincyjungle.com/2025/1/21/24348748/cam-grandy-bengals-best-special-teams-players

As an ERFA, Grandy had to take an extension offer, and the Bengals wasted no time making it. I'd expect other ERFA's/RFA's to follow suit soon if we want them back (Rehkow, Adomitis). Kirkland is also an ERFA, and York a RFA, but those guys are dicier for a return.
-----------
2025 Bengals Rosters: Coaches & Players

I. Current Coaching Roster

https://www.bengals.com/team/coaches-roster/

A. Head Coach & Coordinators
Head Coach: Zach Taylor
Offensive Coordinator: Dan Pitcher
Defensive Coordinator: Open (Lou Anarumo fired)
Chief of Coaching staff: Doug Rosfeld
----------------

B.  Offensive Coaches
Pass game coordinator: Justin Rascati
OL: Scott Peters  
WR: Troy Walters
TE: James Casey
RB: Justin Hill
QB: Brad Kragthorpe
-----------
Offensive assistant: Jordan Salkin
OL assistant: Michael McCarthy
QB assistant: Fredi Knighten
-----------

C.  Defensive Coaches
Senior Defensive Assistant: Open (Mark Duffner fired)
DL: Open (Marion Hobby fired)
LB: Open (James Bettcher fired)
Secondary/CBs: Charles Burks
Secondary/Safeties: Jordan Kovacs
------------
Defensive Assistant: Ronnie Regula
Defensive Quality Control: open (Louie Cioffi fired)
----------

D.  Special Teams Coaches
ST Coordinator/Assistant HC: Darrin Simmons
ST Assistant: Ben Jacobs

E.  Strength & Conditioning
Head/DIR Player Performance: Joey Boese
Ast STR & COND: Diamond Simmons
Ast STR & COND: Garrett Swanson

https://www.bengals.com/team/coaches-roster/
=====================

II.  Current Player Roster: Signed for 2025 = 45

Offense = 22
QB (2): Burrow; Browning
RB (3): C. Brown; Moss, Milton
WR (5): Chase, Iosivas; C. Jones, I. Williams, Burton
TE (4): D  Sample; All, Grandy, McLachlan
OT (3): O. Brown, Mims, Cochran
G (3): Cappa, Volson; Stueber
C (2): Karras (C/G), Lee (C/T/G)
----------------
Defense = 22
DE (5): Hendrickson, Hubbard; Murphy, C. Johnson, I. Thomas
DT (3): Rankins; Jenkins, Jackson
LB (4): L. Wilson, Pratt; Njongmeta, Heyward
CB (6): CTB, D. Hill; Turner, Newton, Ivey, L  Robinson
S (4): Battle, Stone; Anderson, Anthony
---------------
PK: McPherson
P:
LS:
=================

III. Signed to Future's Contracts = 11

These guys do technically take up roster spaces and cap space at the moment. But effectively  they do not, as none of them have any Dead Cap hit if released. These are camp bodies, practice squad types with perhaps a dark horse candidate to make the 53 or two.

But it does give one a better idea if how much space we'd have eith a full toster i stead of only 44.

1. RB Gary Brightwell
2. WR Kendric Pryor
3. WR Cole Burgess
4. OT Andrew Coker
5. OG Tayshawn Manning
6. DE Raymond Johnson III
7. LB Craig Young
8. CB Micah Abraham
9. CB Nate Brooks
10. S PJ Jules
11. S Jaylen Key

https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-sign-11-players-to-reserve-future-contracts-bengals-roster-update

IV.  Bengals Free Agents: 53/IR

Pos, Player

1. WR2:Tee Higgins
---------
2. DT1: BJ Hill
3. CB3: Mike Hilton
4. TE2/WR4: Mike Gesicki
5. P: Ryan Rehkow (ERFA)
6. LS: Cal Adomitis (RFA)
-------------
7. RT1: Trent Brown
8. OG3/OT4: Cody Ford
9. DE3: Joseph Ossai
10. LB3: Akeem Davis-Gaither
11. S3: Vonn Bell
12. RB3: Khalil Herbert
------------
13. DE5: Cam Sample
14. TE4: Tanner Hudson
15. DT5: Jay Tufele
16. LB4: Joe Bachie
17. OG5/OT6: Jaxson Kirkland (ERFA)
18. PK: Cade York (RFA)
------------
19. RB4: Trayveon Williams
20. RB5: Chris Evans
21. OG/OT: D'Ante Smith
22. CB7: Marco Williams
-------------
23. CB Jalen Davis (PS)
24. OC/OG: Tre Hil (PS)
25. QB: Logan Woodside (PS)
------------

IV.  Bengals FA's, Re-signed (1)
1.  Cam Grandy, TE, ERFA, 1 year, $???

V.  Bengals FA's, Signed elsewhere (1)
1. DT: Dominique Davis (PS), Pitt Future's contract
------------

Gandy's salary is less than $1 million something like $950,000 or $960,000 which halves if he goes on the PS

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(01-21-2025, 06:35 PM)pally Wrote: Gandy's salary is less than $1 million something like $950,000 or $960,000 which halves if he goes on the PS

Looking at OTC, which is not totally accurate all the time, it looks like the min is: 

0 accrued years = $840k 
1 accrued year = $960k 
2 accrued years = $1,030,000 
3 accrued years = $1,100,000

But everyone does not fit the pattern. IDK if non-Future's guys have a different scale or maybe we just paid some guys a bit more, or OTC is late updating the # years for some guys, or whatever. 

Grandy's number is not posted yet. But it is likely $960k as you mentioned. I think he's a good bet to make the roster. He was certainly ahead of McLachlan last year. He'd be TE3 right now, if All is healthy. And backing up Sample's role. A Sample for 1/3rd the price might be attractive if we need to pinch some pennies. 

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

Well, the hiring of Al Golden as DC and Jerry Montgomery as DL coach appear to ne done & dusted, if not official. 


https://www.cincyjungle.com/2025/1/22/24349853/bengals-twitter-al-golden-jerry-montgomery-social-media-reactions


Looks like LB coach and Senior Defensive assistant (if we have one) are still open.
-----------

2025 Bengals Rosters: Coaches & Players

I. Current Coaching Roster

https://www.bengals.com/team/coaches-roster/

A. Head Coach & Coordinators
Head Coach: Zach Taylor
Offensive Coordinator: Dan Pitcher
Defensive Coordinator: Al Golden
Chief of Coaching staff: Doug Rosfeld
----------------
B.  Offensive Coaches
Pass game coordinator: Justin Rascati
OL: Scott Peters  
WR: Troy Walters
TE: James Casey
RB: Justin Hill
QB: Brad Kragthorpe
-----------
Offensive assistant: Jordan Salkin
OL assistant: Michael McCarthy
QB assistant: Fredi Knighten
-----------
C.  Defensive Coaches
Senior Defensive Assistant: Open (Mark Duffner fired)
DL: Jerry Montgomery
LB: Open (James Bettcher fired)
Secondary/CBs: Charles Burks
Secondary/Safeties: Jordan Kovacs
------------
Defensive Assistant: Ronnie Regula
Defensive Quality Control: open (Louie Cioffi fired)
----------
D.  Special Teams Coaches
ST Coordinator/Assistant HC: Darrin Simmons
ST Assistant: Ben Jacobs
--------------
E.  Strength & Conditioning
Head/DIR Player Performance: Joey Boese
Ast STR & COND: Diamond Simmons
Ast STR & COND: Garrett Swanson

https://www.bengals.com/team/coaches-roster/
=====================

II.  Current Player Roster: Signed for 2025 = 45

Offense = 22
QB (2): Burrow; Browning
RB (3): C. Brown; Moss, Milton
WR (5): Chase, Iosivas; C. Jones, I. Williams, Burton
TE (4): D  Sample; All, Grandy, McLachlan
OT (3): O. Brown, Mims; Cochran
G (3): Cappa, Volson; Stueber
C (2): Karras (C/G); Lee (C/T/G)
----------------
Defense = 22
DE (5): Hendrickson, Hubbard; Murphy, C. Johnson, I. Thomas
DT (3): Rankins; Jenkins, Jackson
LB (4): L. Wilson, Pratt; Njongmeta, Heyward
CB (6): CTB, D. Hill; Turner, Newton, Ivey, L  Robinson
S (4): Battle, Stone; Anderson, Anthony
---------------
Special Teams = 1
PK: McPherson
P:
LS:
=================

III. Signed to Future's Contracts = 11

These guys do technically take up roster spaces and cap space at the moment. But effectively  they do not, as none of them have any Dead Cap hit if released. These are camp bodies, practice squad types with perhaps a dark horse candidate to make the 53 or two.

But it does give one a better idea if how much space we'd have eith a full toster i stead of only 44.

1. RB Gary Brightwell
2. WR Kendric Pryor
3. WR Cole Burgess
4. OT Andrew Coker
5. OG Tayshawn Manning
6. DE Raymond Johnson III
7. LB Craig Young
8. CB Micah Abraham
9. CB Nate Brooks
10. S PJ Jules
11. S Jaylen Key

https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-sign-11-players-to-reserve-future-contracts-bengals-roster-update
---------------

IV.  Bengals Free Agents: 53/IR/PS = 25

Pos, Player

1. WR2:Tee Higgins
---------
2. DT1: BJ Hill
3. CB3: Mike Hilton
4. TE2/WR4: Mike Gesicki
5. P: Ryan Rehkow (ERFA)
6. LS: Cal Adomitis (RFA)
-------------
7. RT1: Trent Brown
8. OG3/OT4: Cody Ford
9. DE3: Joseph Ossai
10. LB3: Akeem Davis-Gaither
11. S3: Vonn Bell
12. RB3: Khalil Herbert
------------
13. DE5: Cam Sample
14. TE4: Tanner Hudson
15. DT5: Jay Tufele
16. LB4: Joe Bachie
17. OG5/OT6: Jaxson Kirkland (ERFA)
18. PK: Cade York (RFA)
------------
19. RB4: Trayveon Williams
20. RB5: Chris Evans
21. OG/OT: D'Ante Smith
22. CB7: Marco Williams
-------------
23. CB Jalen Davis (PS)
24. OC/OG: Tre Hil (PS)
25. QB: Logan Woodside (PS)
------------

IV.  Bengals FA's, Re-signed = 1
1.  Cam Grandy, TE, ERFA, 1 year, $???
----------------

V.  Bengals FA's, Signed elsewhere = 1
1. DT: Dominique Davis (PS), Pitt Future's contract
------------

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

For a baseline in FA, here is PFF's top 100 for 2025.

Tee (#1, #1 WR), Hilton (#35, #7 CB ), BJ Hill (#52, #4 DT), and Gesicki (#77, #2 TE) all made the top 100.

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2025-nfl-free-agent-rankings

Others of note at positions of need, but I just did trenches first. Good CB, S, & LB class as well.

OG: Trey Smith, KC (#2), Will Fries, IND (#24), Teven Jenkins, CHI (#25), Kevin Zeitler, Det (#27), James Daniels, Pitt (#28), Mekhi Becton, PHI (#41), Brandon Scherff, Jax (#59), Zack Martin, Dal (#60), Patrick Mekari, Bal (#64), Aaron Banks, 49ers (#73), Will Hernandez, Ariz (#93).

DT: Osa Odighizuwa, Dal (#30), Milton Williams, PHI (#32), Levi Onwuzurike, Det (#40), BJ Hill, CIN (#52), Calais Campbell, Mia (#53), Jarran Reed, Sea (#75), Poona Ford, LAC (#76), Tershawn Wharton, KC (#82), Teair Tart, LAC (#84), DH Jones, Den (#97).

DE: Khlalil Mack, LAC (#5); Josh Sweat, PHI (#10), Haasan Reddick, NYJ (#12); Malcolm Koonce, LV (#16), Baron Browning, ARZ (#39), Dayo Odeyingbo, IND (#42), Chase Young, NO (#49); Azeez Ojulari, NYG (#51); Demarcus Lawrence, Dal (#55); Dante Fowler Je., Wash (#63); Chauncey Golston, Dal (#65); Mathew Judon, ATL (#71); Dennis Gardeck, ARZ (#72); Josh Uche, KC (#94); Derek Barnett, Hou (#96).

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

CB coach Burks will be retained.

https://www.cincyjungle.com/2025/1/24/24351334/charles-burks-bengals-rumors-cincinnati

So, we know DC, DL, & CB. No word on Kovacs at S or LB.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

OK, time to make a run at our 2025 current cap situation. This is gonna be long and complex and imprecise for a number of reasons. The two big ones are: 1) I am not a cap wizard (so if I mess something up, someone who is more knowledgeable please correct me on my mistake), and 2) The NFL has not yet set an official cap number yet for 2025. It usually does at the December meetings, but did not this year. But my head is getting ready to explode with all the "we cannot afford to sign Tee and extend Chase" posts, so I have to at least make a run at it. Here goes.

VI. Bengals 2025 Salary Cap Breakdown

For the uninitiated, the NFL salary cap consists of several components. First off, there is the matter of setting the cap itself, whereby the NFL sets a number based on the revenue sharing components of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the players. So a new number cannot be set until all revenues are counted from the previous season. Additionally, the Player's Union can choose to defer some increases in order to flatten out cap increases if there is a big spike. This usually happens the first year of new TV rights deals, and the players often choose to do this so players who are FA's in the one year do not get all of the boost from the new deal, and it is divided up more equitably over several years. In fact, they NFL/Union chose to defer $9 mil form last year, to be split evenly in 2025 and 2026, according to this article, which estimates the 2025 cap to be between $265-$275 million.

https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-teams-don-t-have-official-projection-budgeting-for-2025-salary-cap-in-265m-275m-range#:~:text=Then%2C%20there%20is%20the%20matter,half%20being%20used%20this%20offseason.

Additionally, each team's unused cap space from the prior year rolls over into the new year. This "Rollover cap" is added to whatever number the NFL puts out and then becomes the number each team is eligible to spend for the next season. And while we don't know the exact number for the NFL salary cap yet (Spotrac is using $275 million and OTC $272.5 million at the moment), we do know the amount of Rollover for the Bengals: $5,935,175. So, that leaves us here at the moment:

A. Bengals 2025 Salary Cap Budget = $270,935,175 to $280,935,175
1) NFL Salary Cap = $265-$275 million (OTC at $272.5, Spotrac at $275)
+2) 2024 Rollover Cap = $5,935,175
-----------------------------------------------------------------
3) 2025 Bengals Salary Cap Budget Range = $270,935,175 to $280,935,175 (spotrac), OTC at $278,435,175

But, of course, the budget is only half or the equation, or really, a third. Next comes the obligations. What is already spent? Again, there are multiple parts here, counted differently in the off-season and regular season, and, of course, subject to change. But some stuff is known. The number will be our Dead Money + our contract obligations (top 51 in the off-season, top 53 once the season starts) + the costs for the practice squad and the injured lists in the regular. For that reason, we usually keep a bit of a cushion for when we need to sign more players and will not spend right up the the limit. And, or course, these numbers can change if a contract is restructured, extended, or a player is released. But here is where we appear to be at the moment:

B. Bengals 2025 Salary Cap Obligations = $230,847,768 (OTC), $230,947,768 (spotrac)
1. Money from 2024 & earlier: $357,964 (OTC & spotrac)
+2. Top 51 Contracts for 2025: $230,489,806 (OTC), $230,947,768 (spotrac)
----------------------------------------------------------------
3. 2025 Total Cap Liabilities = $230,847,768

C. Estimated Cap Spac3
1. Top 51 (OTC): $47,587,407
2. Top 51 (spotrac): $49,987,407

Now, both of those numbers probably overstate and understate our cap situations. First, they don't account for practical things like the cushion, the cost of the practice squad and any guys on IR, Chase/Hendrickson extensions, and the top pick(s) who will make more than the guys they bump off the roster. But it also does not account for some guys getting waived who make considerable money (Rankins, Cappa + Hubbard, Moss, Volson, + maybe more like Pratt or Stone or McPherson) or the potential to restructure Burrow to gain $19 mil in space.

Indeed, if one just looks at $47-$49 mil, figures $25 for Tee, say $8 mil for Chase's extension/pro-rated signing bonus, and another $5 for Hendrickson, and suddenly that's $39 mil. Add in a cushion, a 1st round pick and there is precious little left. But do not despair, we will almost certainly cut some big earners. Rankins would nets $8,617,647, Cappa $8 mil, Hubbard $9,511,765, Moss $3,316,176, and Volson $3,575,000 for total of $33,020,586. Throw in a max restructure for Burrow ($19 mil) and all of a sudden, we have nearly $60 mil in actual space again, with Tee, Chase, and Trey locked up. Plus, with some creative contract structuring, Tee's cap hit should be well below $25 mil this year, or whatever his APY is. Jefferson's hit this year is just over $15 mil despite the huge contract he signed last year.

I will go into more detail later. But suffice to say, we can easily retain Tee, extend Chase and Hendrickson with some ample room to manuever.

[Clark W Griswold]

(01-25-2025, 01:24 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: CB coach Burks will be retained.

https://www.cincyjungle.com/2025/1/24/24351334/charles-burks-bengals-rumors-cincinnati

So, we know DC, DL, & CB. No word on Kovacs at S or LB.

Interesting that Burks survived the purging of coaches. One of his players regressed/disappointed more than just about any other Bengal this past season. I know they can’t blame him for losing 2 starters but they also must not think he had anything to do with CTBs regression.

[Gohards]

(01-22-2025, 09:12 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: WR (5): Chase, Iosivas; C. Jones, I. Williams, Burton

Jeez, thats scary looking. Just looking at that, I am starting to agree with JB on this one now, Tee is a need. I really havent been on board tbh, but those guys behind Chase IMO are practice squad players

If we dont cut Hubbard, I will be extremely disappointed after seeing he will free up more than 9 mil in cap space. Thats a no brainer to me

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(01-25-2025, 09:36 PM)Clark W Griswold Wrote: Interesting that Burks survived the purging of coaches. One of his players regressed/disappointed more than just about any other Bengal this past season.  I know they can’t blame him for losing 2 starters but they also must not think he had anything to do with CTBs regression.

CTB has issues, but I am just starting to think he is just kind of a knucklehead, Eli Apple type guy. But in the end, his grades were right in line with previous years. If he regressed early (and he did), then he certainly made progress late because the geades are a wash year vs year.

Hill played well before injury. Turner has some issues tackling, but was good in coverage and playing his best ball when he got hurt. Hilton is the best run defending CB in the league and still graded out above average in coverage. Newton was thrown into the fire before he was ready, but after a rough start played pretty well for a 5th round rookie. And Ivey did OK coming off injury. 

Weirdly, I think CB is probably the area I am least disappointed/most satisfied with on D. I mean the bar is low, and we don't have a stud on D outside Trey, but CTB/Hill/Hilton/Turner are all above average in coverage and Fig was serviceable. 

I'd love a true CB1. But we do have bigger fish to fry atm in my view (WR2, both G spots, DE2, 2 DT spots and possible upgrades at TE1, WR3, LB2, both S spots, and PK all seem more problematic to me. YMMV, of course. 

Further, none of the CBs make much, save possibly if Hilton is retained. Buying a CB1 in FA is gonna be expensive. We have CB2 types aplenty. I think it is either go big at CB (CB1 FA or 1stcround pick) or stand pat. 

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

Grandy's contract came in at $980,000 via OTC, 0 dead cap if waived. 


Also, I changed formatting on the voaches to make the posts shorter looking.
-----------

2025 Bengals Rosters: Coaches & Players

I. Current Coaching Roster

https://www.bengals.com/team/coaches-roster/

A. Head Coach & Coordinators
Head Coach: Zach Taylor
Offensive Coordinator: Dan Pitcher
Defensive Coordinator: Al Golden
----------------
B.  Offensive Coaches
Justin Rascati (Pass Game Coordinator); Scott Peters (OL), Brad Kragthorpe (QB), Troy Walters (WR), Jusin Hill (RB), James Casey (TE), Jordan Salkin (Offensive Assistant), Michael McCarthy (OL Assistant), Fredi Knighten (QB Assistant). 
-----------
C.  Defensive Coaches
Jerry Montgomery (DL), Charles Burks (Secondary/CBs), Jordan Kovacs (Sec/Safety), Ronnie Regula (Defensive Assistant), 

Open: Senior Defensive Assistant (Mark Duffner fired), LB (James Bettcher fired), Defensive Quality Control (Louie Cioffi fired).
----------
D.  Special Teams Coaches
Darrin Simmons (ST Coordinator/Ast HC), Ben Jacobs (ST Assistant). 
--------------
E.  Strength & Conditioning
Joey Boese (Head/DIR Player Performance), Diamond Simmons (Ast STR & COND), Garrett Swanson (Ast STR & COND). 
------------------
F. Administrative
Doug Rosfeld (Chief of Coaching staff)

https://www.bengals.com/team/coaches-roster/
=====================

II.  Current Player Roster: Signed for 2025 = 45

Offense = 22
QB (2): Burrow; Browning
RB (3): C. Brown; Moss, Milton
WR (5): Chase, Iosivas; C. Jones, I. Williams, Burton
TE (4): D  Sample; All, Grandy, McLachlan
OT (3): O. Brown, Mims; Cochran
G (3): Cappa, Volson; Stueber
C (2): Karras (C/G); Lee (C/T/G)
----------------
Defense = 22
DE (5): Hendrickson, Hubbard; Murphy, C. Johnson, I. Thomas
DT (3): Rankins; Jenkins, Jackson
LB (4): L. Wilson, Pratt; Njongmeta, Heyward
CB (6): CTB, D. Hill; Turner, Newton, Ivey, L  Robinson
S (4): Battle, Stone; Anderson, Anthony
---------------
Special Teams = 1
PK: McPherson
P:
LS:
=================

III. Signed to Future's Contracts = 11

These guys do technically take up roster spaces and cap space at the moment. But effectively  they do not, as none of them have any Dead Cap hit if released. These are camp bodies, practice squad types with perhaps a dark horse candidate to make the 53 or two.

But it does give one a better idea if how much space we'd have eith a full toster i stead of only 44.

1. RB Gary Brightwell
2. WR Kendric Pryor
3. WR Cole Burgess
4. OT Andrew Coker
5. OG Tayshawn Manning
6. DE Raymond Johnson III
7. LB Craig Young
8. CB Micah Abraham
9. CB Nate Brooks
10. S PJ Jules
11. S Jaylen Key

https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-sign-11-players-to-reserve-future-contracts-bengals-roster-update
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IV.  Bengals Free Agents: 53/IR/PS = 25

Pos, Player

1. WR2:Tee Higgins
---------
2. DT1: BJ Hill
3. CB3: Mike Hilton
4. TE2/WR4: Mike Gesicki
5. P: Ryan Rehkow (ERFA)
6. LS: Cal Adomitis (RFA)
-------------
7. RT1: Trent Brown
8. OG3/OT4: Cody Ford
9. DE3: Joseph Ossai
10. LB3: Akeem Davis-Gaither
11. S3: Vonn Bell
12. RB3: Khalil Herbert
------------
13. DE5: Cam Sample
14. TE4: Tanner Hudson
15. DT5: Jay Tufele
16. LB4: Joe Bachie
17. OG5/OT6: Jaxson Kirkland (ERFA)
18. PK: Cade York (RFA)
------------
19. RB4: Trayveon Williams
20. RB5: Chris Evans
21. OG/OT: D'Ante Smith
22. CB7: Marco Williams
-------------
23. CB Jalen Davis (PS)
24. OC/OG: Tre Hil (PS)
25. QB: Logan Woodside (PS)
------------

IV.  Bengals FA's, Re-signed = 1
1.  Cam Grandy, TE, ERFA, 1 year, $980,000.
----------------

V.  Bengals FA's, Signed elsewhere = 1
1. DT: Dominique Davis (PS), Pitt Future's contract
------------

[M.W.]

5. P: Ryan Rehkow (ERFA) - I would sign this guy ASAP. No need to get into a bidding war for a punter and he is very good and will likely improve.

If some cuts occur :

Hubbard - or renegotiate to a very team friendly deal
Rankins
Cappa
Moss

Yes - the positions need to be replaced but you can get better production for less $.

I am 50/50 on Tee and I have a signed, framed, jersey of his in my gym. Taking fandom out of it, even if the needed cuts happen, I would think you can draft a WR that can run and catch while learning the plays.

This team is pretty one dimensional. all that money would likely create better results if OG play is vastly improved and we can get another pass rusher on the DL. You could also go ahead and extend Trey as well.

We lost 3 games that we scored more than 30 points in - that is so horrible, thank God the defensive coaches were fired but it is clear the defense needs more than Trey.
Great QBs with time can really make WRs much more successful especially if said QB gets another couple seconds to throw.