For the fifth consecutive off-season, the Cincinnati Bengals are tasked with building a roster that can finally get them past the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs. With the 2016 NFL Draft still over six weeks away, the Bengals are making adjustments to their team by deciding which of their free agents are expendable, who will remain a part of the family, and which available free agents they want to add to the “Who Dey Nation.” The latest on nine players is below, including updates on A.J. Green, Adam Jones , Marvin Jones, and Mohamed Sanu.
The good news first. As reported by ESPN, linebacker Vincent Rey will be returning to Cincy for the 2016 season. He’ll be playing his home games at Paul Brown Stadium through the 2018 season, as he’s signed a three-year deal worth $11.5 million. And that’s just the latest of the defensive re-signings.
Vincent Rey returning to the Cincinnati Bengals https://t.co/mlAuBiqfqu pic.twitter.com/lyJsZ24pyf
— EndZoneScore.com (@OPSN_NFL) March 10, 2016
Adam “Pacman” Jones will be playing alongside Rey for those three years, as he also signed a three-year deal with the Bengals. The cornerback has been with Cincinnati since 2010 and has seen his best years in the NFL since donning the orange and black.
JUST IN: Adam Jones confirms he has agreed to a 3-year deal to stay with the Bengals (via @REALPACMAN24 ) https://t.co/Tgv4FF5vJa
— Stadium (@Stadium) March 10, 2016
But the Bengals have put even more trust in safety George Iloka . As USA Today reported, the Bengals offered him $30 million over five years, which he gladly accepted.
https://www.facebook.com/bengals/posts/10153950541053416
On the offensive side of things, unrestricted free agent Eric Winston will be around for at least one more season. Winston has been a tackle for the Bengals for one year, after stints with the Texans, Chiefs, Cardinals and Seahawks. Fellow offensive tackle Andre Smith , meanwhile, has attracted the attention of the Minnesota Vikings.
Who dey!! Another year in the orange and black.
— Eric Winston (@ericwinston) March 9, 2016
While he wasn’t a free agent — and has never shown signs of being interested in leaving Cincinnati — star wide receiver A.J. Green has agreed to a contract extension. Adding four years and $60 million, he’s now locked up with the Bengals for a total of five more years for $70 million. Receiver Brandon Tate has also signed his third consecutive one-year deal with the Bengals, as well as center T.J. Johnson, a restricted free agent.
But there’s also some bad news. Two of Dalton ‘s targets will have new homes next year, as will linebacker Emmanual Lamur . Lamur followed former Bengals Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer to the Minnesota Vikings.
We have signed LB Emmanuel Lamur ( @EmanLamur ). https://t.co/BV7JgNNT4L pic.twitter.com/AwwbMPz8ih
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 10, 2016
Not that the Bengals wanted to let him go, but wide receiver Marvin Jones will be packing his bags and moving to Detroit. He landed a $40 million deal over five years.
UPDATE: The Lions are getting WR Marvin Jones for what is expected to be about $8M per year
( @RapSheet ) pic.twitter.com/X1lbALQF0p
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 9, 2016
Finally, Mohamed Sanu is moving on from his stint at Cincinnati to one in Atlanta with the Falcons. He, too, signed a five-year deal and will be taking home $32.5 million.
The Falcons agreed to terms with former Bengals WR Mohamed Sanu on a five-year deal. (via @AdamSchefter ) pic.twitter.com/b9kjpbImdl
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 10, 2016
With plenty of time remaining before the 2016 NFL season begins, the Cincinnati Bengals roster is sure to change a few more times by opening day.
[Image via Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images]
