Two of the six new additions to the Cincinnati Bengals' roster play the position of safety. That's great news for the defense as a whole, but it sparked a tricky conversation regarding Dax Hill.
Geno Stone and Vonn Bell are set to take on major roles in the back of the secondary, and second-year player Jordan Battle isn't going anywhere either.
Where does that leave Hill? Not even he knows. But the 23-year old is keeping the right mindset.
Dax Hill approaches a critical third year in Cincinnati
Weeks after Stone's arrival and Bell's return to Cincinnati, Hill was able to speak on where he fits in a more crowded defensive backfield as the team practices together for the first time this offseason.
“Whatever happens, happens," Hill told reporters. "I can’t control that. I’ll do whatever the team wants me to do.
“I’ll see what they say. I’m ready for anything.”
Anything could literally mean anything for Hill, but the least likely scenario is he ends up with the same role as last year.
Hill was the 31st overall pick made by the Bengals back in 2022. He was a slot defender in college at Michigan, but the Bengals opted to move him to safety as a rookie to help eventually replace Jessie Bates III. The plan was put into place in 2023, and an up-and-down season unfolded before the Bengals' eyes.
Cincinnati would not have signed Stone and Bell if they were comfortable with Hill at the position they drafted him to play moving forward. Hill has the right to be upset after the team demoted him after just one inconsistent season, especially when he was far from the only liability.
Hill's comments indicate what's next for him is more important.
"I did some reflection," Hill said "I'm a different person whenever I came in. I feel like there's some things I need to correct, and I'm looking forward to the new year."
This week is the start of the rest of Hill's career, it's just a matter of where he lines up and who he plays alongside. The only group of people who know that work under head coach Zac Taylor.
"We've got a pretty good idea in our minds," Taylor told reporters. "We'll let the offseason play out before we get into it here. We've had good communication."
No matter the position listed next to Hill's name, he's got untapped value for the Bengals. It's up to Taylor's staff to maximize it.
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