Bengals preparing to say goodbye to top free agent with latest signing

The Bengals have several key free agents they could lose this offseason and it seems they are preparing to say goodbye to one of their top free agents with their latest signing.

On Wednesday night, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Cincinnati agreed to sign veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, a first-round pick by the Saints in 2016, to a two-year, $26 million deal.

Rankins fills a hole on the defensive line left by defensive tackle DJ Reader, who is a free agent. Cincinnati reportedly wanted to re-sign Reader, who's posted 123 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries since joining the Bengals in 2020. 

However, Fowler revealed that Reader was "on a plane to Detroit" Wednesday night for a visit with the Lions. So, the Bengals must be expecting Reader to join the Lions or another team in the coming days with their signing of Rankins.

They are getting a very productive player out of the 29-year-old Rankins and some could argue he is even an upgrade over Reader. Since 2020, Rankins has 132 tackles, 13.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries with three different teams (Texans, Jets, Saints).

Cincinnati needed to add another difference-maker on defense anyway after allowing the second-most total yards per game (374.6) in the league last season. 

Rankins could be the answer, especially now that he is lining up with edge-rushers Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard, who combined for 23.5 sacks in 2023.

Last season was a bit of failure for the Bengals, which was expected after watching QB Joe Burrow suffer a season-ending wrist injury in Week 11. 

Cincinnati is doing its best to prevent another disappointing season, however, as Rankins is added to a roster hoping it can compete for a Super Bowl once again in 2024.