With their most recent acquisition, it appears the Bengals are getting ready to say goodbye to one of their top free agents, one of several important free agents they could lose this offseason.
Cincinnati has agreed to sign veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, a first-round selection by the Saints in 2016, to a two-year, $26 million contract, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN on Wednesday night.
As a free agent, defensive tackle DJ Reader left a void on the defensive line that is filled by Rankins. Reader, who has recorded 123 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries since joining the Bengals in 2020, was reportedly desired by Cincinnati to be re-signed.
But according to Fowler, Reader was “on a plane to Detroit” on Wednesday night in order to see the Lions. With the addition of Rankins, the Bengals must therefore be anticipating that Reader will join the Lions or another team in the near future.
The 29-year-old Rankins is proving to be a highly productive player for them; some may even claim he is an improvement over Reader. With three separate clubs (Texans, Jets, and Saints) since 2020, Rankins has accumulated 132 tackles, 13.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.
Following a season in which they allowed the second-highest total yards per game (374.6) in the league, Cincinnati needed to add another difference-maker to their defense.
Now that he is aligned with edge-rushers Sam Hubbard and Trey Hendrickson, who combined for 23.5 sacks in 2023, Rankins might be the solution.
The Bengals had a bit of a disappointing season last year, which was to be expected after watching quarterback Joe Burrow suffer a wrist injury that ended the season in Week 11.
With Rankins joining a team that hopes to contend for a Super Bowl in 2024, Cincinnati is making every effort to avoid another poor campaign.