Did the Bengals just reveal their next big move without even making it? Their recent attempt to snag a defensive tackle off waivers speaks volumes about what’s coming for the roster. Get the inside scoop on how this failed claim still points to a strategic shake-up, especially with a veteran offensive guard on the horizon. What’s next for Cincinnati?
The Cincinnati Bengals recently engaged in a strategic roster maneuver that, while unsuccessful, provides significant insight into their immediate plans for the defensive line and overall team composition.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Bengals attempted to claim defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson off waivers, a move that ultimately saw Jefferson go to the San Francisco 49ers due to waiver order precedence.
Jefferson, a promising former fourth-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, would have swelled Cincinnati’s defensive tackle group to an unusual seven players, signaling a clear willingness from the front office to adjust an already crowded position room.
This aggressive pursuit of another defensive lineman strongly suggests an impending roster adjustment, particularly with the imminent arrival of veteran offensive guard Dalton Risner, who is expected to join the club as the regular season approaches.
The potential addition of Jefferson would have inevitably put rookie undrafted free agents Howard Cross III and Eric Gregory in a precarious position, as the defensive line simply could not accommodate seven players without a corresponding move.
It is widely speculated that Risner’s official signing will coincide with the waiving of either Cross or Gregory, a calculated move to achieve a more balanced roster split of nine offensive linemen and ten defensive linemen, compared to the current eight-eleven distribution.
The timing of these potential roster adjustments is also noteworthy; by waiting until after other teams had largely established their practice squads, Cincinnati strategically mitigated the risk of losing either Cross or Gregory to another team via waivers.
This patient approach allows the Bengals to not only secure a valuable veteran offensive guard in Risner but also potentially retain their preferred defensive tackle prospects within the organization, fostering a “win-win” scenario for their roster strategy.
