Bengals emerge from free agency drought to sign a familiar face who was with the team for a very brief period last year

Giles-Harris has been in Cincinnati before. The Bengals added him to their practice squad on December 17 and practiced with the team throughout the week leading up Week 16's victory over the Cleveland Browns. A week later, he was poached by the Jacksonville Jaguars and joined their active roster for the final two games of the season.

Jacksonville originally signed Giles-Harris as a college free agent in 2019. It's where he spent the first two years of his career. He played in two games as a rookie and a career-high seven in 2020. He later spent time on the Buffalo Bills' practice squad from 2021-22 and played in three total games for them. The New England Patriots stashed him on their practice squad in 2023 and he ended up being elevated for two games in 2024. He was released by New England 15 days before Cincinnati came calling. 

Gile-Harris just turned 28 years old on April 1 and has only played in 22 games since entering the league six years ago. His contract with the Bengals is not expected to be anything more than the minimum for a player of his experience, meaning his addition shouldn't necessarily move the needle or adjust what the club plans to do at the linebacker position going forward.

Bengals Linebacker Depth Chart 

• Logan Wilson
• Germaine Pratt
• Oren Burks (signed two-year free agent deal)
• Shaka Heyward
• Maema Njongmeta
• Craig Young
• Joe Giles-Harris

Burks was signed to replace Akeem Davis-Gaither, whom joined the Arizona Cardinals on a two-year deal of his own. Giles-Harris could be a replacement for Joe Bachie. Bachie spent the last four years in Cincinnati and was well-liked by new defensive coordinator Al Golden. 

Pratt notably requested a trade back in February and the club is still exploring options beyond him. His replacement is very likely to come via the draft.