Bengals 2025 Roster Breakdown: Seth McLaughlin's injured present should not overshadow his potential future

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By John Sheeran | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 8:59 AM ET

Bengals roster breakdown is back! During the 99 days leading up to Cincinnati's regular season opener against the Cleveland Browns, the player with the matching jersey number as days remaining will become the day's highlighted player.

68 days remain until the Bengals' first game of the 2025 season, and No. 68 Seth McLaughlin is a name to remember for beyond this year.

Seth McLaughlin

Age: 23
Year: Rookie
Position: Center
College: Ohio State
Previous Teams: None
Jersey Number: 68

McLaughlin enters his first season in the NFL after going undrafted during the 2025 NFL Draft. He played one year at Ohio State and spent the previous four seasons at Alabama, where he played 37 games and started 25. Transferring from Tuscaloosa to Columbus was a great decision for the former three-star recruit as he put together his best collegiate season with the Buckeyes. He won the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation's top center, and was named First Team All-Big Ten despite only playing 10 games. An Achilles injury cut his year short and he watched OSU march its way to a National Championship victory.

Prominent draft outlets pegged McLaughlin for a mid-round selection, but his injury ultimately caused him to fall out of the draft entirely. He chose to sign with Cincinnati to link up with another former Buckeye in Joe Burrow, and although he's yet to be cleared for practice, he's expected to be ready sometime during training camp.

Contract Details

McLaughlin is in the first year of his three-year, $2.98 million college free agent deal he signed in May. He's already earned a $15,000 signing bonus and can earn a base salary of $840,000. His potential cash earnings for this season is $855,000.

When adding on his signing bonus proration of $5,000, McLaughlin's salary cap hit for the 2025 season is $845,000.

Roster Outlook

McLaughlin is firmly behind last year's seventh round pick Matt Lee for the title of Ted Karras' backup. It's uncommon for three centers to make the initial 53-man roster, especially when the third center doesn't have much positional versatility to him. Add on the fact that McLaughlin won't be healthy enough to practice for the first time until training camp, and he's got a tough task of making the team.

This season may not matter much at all for McLaughlin. We may not even see the best version of him until he reaches a year since he suffered the injury in November anyways. He can take his time getting healthy and building strength while holding a spot on the practice squad. If depth is needed during the season, he can always be elevated or signed to the team.

Next year's potential starting battle between Lee and McLaughlin could be very intriguing. For now, he'll develop behind the scenes.

Roster odds: 5%
Projected role: Reserve center