5 Cincinnati Bengals players who won't be back next season

The Cincinnati Bengals' 2024 season will ultimately be remembered as a disappointment. Despite finishing the campaign with a winning record of 9-8, the Bengals fell short of postseason play for the second consecutive season and wasted an all-time season from star quarterback Joe Burrow in the process.

The team will now have to make a plethora of important roster decisions over the offseason, including which players to part ways with. Some calls will be easier than others. For example, it's safe to say that Burrow isn't going anywhere. But, some players have already played their last down as a member of the Bengals. Here's a look at five players who probably won't be back in Cincinnati next season.

Sheldon Rankins, Defensive tackle

Sheldon Rankins' first season in Cincinnati will likely be his last. The Bengals signed Rankins to a two-year, $24.5 million deal in free agency last offseason with the hope that he would help to bolster the defensive line, but his 2024 campaign was extremely underwhelming.

Availability was the main issue for Rankins in 2024, as he missed more games than he played in. Rankins was sidelined for three games earlier in the season with a hamstring injury, and then he missed the final seven games of the campaign with an illness. He was ultimately placed on the on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list. For those keeping count, that's 10 games missed compared to just seven games played.

When Rankins, 30, was out on the field, he wasn't particularly productive, as he recorded just 10 total tackles and one sack during the season. Giving his lack of production and availability, it seems likely that the Bengals will part ways with over the offseason. Doing so would save Cincinnati $9.5 million against the cap, while counting as just $2 million in dead money, per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic.

Offseason additions don't always work out, and unfortunately that was the case for Rankins in Cincinnati.

Vonn Bell, Safety

The reunion between Vonn Bell and the Bengals probably didn't quite go how either team would have hoped. Bell was a key contributor on Cincinnati's defense when the team made consecutive deep playoff runs in 2021 and 2022. The Bengals then allowed him to walk in free agency in 2023, and he signed a three-year deal with the Carolina Panthers.

Things didn't work out too well for Bell in Carolina, as he was released after a single season. Perhaps that should have been a sign for the Bengals, but Cincinnati's secondary struggled mightily in his absence in '23, so when the opportunity to bring him back presented itself, it was a move that made sense.

Unfortunately, Bell, 30, has clearly lost a step, and as a result he was unable to have the desired impact in 2024. It took a while -- probably because of Lou Anarumo's loyalty -- but Bell was ultimately replaced in the starting lineup by Jordan Battle, and the secondary improved a bit as a result.

On the season as a whole, Bell played just 62 percent of defensive snaps, which represents a career low. For comparison's sake, he played over 95 percent of defensive snaps in all three of his previous seasons in Cincinnati. Given how impactful he was during his first stint with the Bengals, it makes sense why they wanted to bring him back, but at this point his days in Cincinnati are numbered.

Khalil Herbert, Running back

The Bengals traded for Khalil Herbert prior to the deadline in order to bolster the backfield, but he was used sparingly while suiting up for Cincinnati. Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, Herbert had just eight total carries for 45 yards in a Bengals uniform. He shouldered an increased workload in Week 18 due to an injury to Chase Brown, but he still compiled just 20 carries for 65 yards, which is an average of 3.5 yards per carry.

With his breakout 2024 campaign, Brown has clearly established himself as a three-down back, and also as the back of the future in Cincinnati. Behind him, Zack Moss still has another year remaining on the contract that he signed with Cincinnati last offseason, and it seems likely that he will be back with the Bengals, albeit in a reserve role.

There's a chance that the Bengals could look to bring back Herbert, but it seems unlikely. He just wasn't a big enough factor during his time with the team this season, and he'll likely land elsewhere as a result. When it comes to the Bengals backfield in 2025, it will likely consist of Brown, Moss and some cheap, young player(s) behind them.

Sam Hubbard, Defensive end

This one is tough considering how integral Sam Hubbard has been to the Bengals for the past seven seasons, but it might be time for the two sides to part ways. Hubbard looked like a shell of his former self in 2024, as his numbers were down across the board. He had just 41 total tackles, which is his lowest total since his rookie season when he didn't start a single game. His two sacks also tied a career-low.

Hubbard struggled to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks all season, perhaps partly due to the fact that he was playing through a hamstring tear. Regardless, the Bengals need an upgrade opposite of Trey Hendrickson, who led the league in sacks this season. Hubbard still has a year remaining on his current contract, but the team would save over $9 million in salary cap space if they release him this offseason, and the Bengals will need all of the cap space that they can get.

Hubbard will always be fondly remembered in Cincinnati, but the NFL is a business, and sometimes difficult decisions need to be made.

Trent Brown, Offensive tackle

The Bengals brought in Trent Brown on a one-year deal to bolster the offensive line in front of Joe Burrow last offseason, but unfortunately an injury issue cost Brown almost the entire season. Brown suffered a a torn patellar tendon on Monday Night Football against the Washington Commanders in Week 3, and he missed the remainder of the season as a result. It's likely that's how his Bengals tenure will end.

Brown made the Pro Bowl in 2019 as a member of the Raiders, but he'll be 32 before the 2025 season starts, and his best days are likely behind him. Plus, the Bengals are likely set at the starting offensive tackle positions for next season with Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims.

Perhaps the Bengals could bring back Brown in a reserve role if the price is right, but availability is a concern, as missed time has become somewhat of a trend for the veteran in recent years. It seems like Cincinnati would be better served to bolster the line with some young talent, as opposed to running it back with an aging, injury-prone player.