Bengals finally add a player they wanted off waivers weeks ago, and let go of a rookie to fit him

Jefferson, originally a fourth-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, has played in nine career games since the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him last year. The Jags waived Jefferson during final cuts this past offseason, and the San Francisco 49ers claimed him the next day.

But San Francisco was not the only team in the mix for Jefferson's services over a month ago.

Bengals' waiver claim for Jordan Jefferson succeeds after it failed in August

Prior to when the regular season began, the Bengals were behind the 49ers in the official waiver order. If both teams submitted a waiver claim for the same player, the player would be awarded to San Fran.

This is exactly what happened with Jefferson as Cincinnati wanted to claim him after he was waived on Aug. 26, but the Niners also submitted a claim for him and got him due to the waiver order.

Jefferson would then spend the next month and change with San Francisco and played in just one game (against his former team!). The 49ers waived him on Thursday, and a day later, he's the newest Bengal.

Clearly, Jefferson has been a target for the Bengals' personnel department and coaching staff for a while. He was drafted one spot behind Erick All Jr. in the '24 draft, so Cincinnati did have a chance to select him but went with the tight end from Iowa. Jefferson was then the club's only waiver claim made after cutdown day this year, and when that plan failed, six DTs were kept on the initial 53-man roster.

Cross, an undrafted free agent signing by the Bengals this year, was one of those six, and he ended up being DT5 by the time the season came around. He played in one game back in Week 3 . He elevated above McKinnley Jackson in the depth chart, and now Jefferson is taking his spot.

Bengals Defensive Tackle Depth Chart

1. B.J. Hill
2. T.J. Slaton Jr.
3. Kris Jenkins Jr.
4. Mike Pennel
5. Jordan Jefferson
6. McKinnley Jackson