Charlie Jones On Bengals’ Roster Bubble

Jones worked as Cincinnati’s punt returner during his rookie campaign, and he has returned a total of 47 kickoffs since 2024. Jones has scored one special teams touchdown in each season of his career to date, but he seems to be on the roster bubble at this time. Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic lists Jones among the Bengals’ top trade candidates as roster cuts approach.

A depth spot on offense is still Jones’ path to remaining in place with Cincinnati given the team’s other options at receiver. As ESPN’s Ben Baby adds, though, Dohnte Meyers has impressed during training camp this summer. The former undrafted free agent spent last season with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, winning a Grey Gup title along the way. Meyers has made a “strong impression” on the Bengals throughout the offseason, Baby writes. He is a strong candidate to displace Jones on the roster as a result.

2026 represents the final year of Jones’ rookie contract. The 27-year-old has made just eight catches in 33 games so far, but teams eyeing an upgrade in the return game could seek out a trade in his case. Jones is owed a base salary of $1.15MM this season, making him one of several cost-effective players who could be on the move from Cincinnati in the coming days.

Dehner points to defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, tight end Tanner Hudson and receiver Mitchell Tinsley as other Bengals who could be seen as trade candidates. The team’s depth chart at those positions could result in a deal being explored, especially if Cincinnati predicts the members of that trio would not clear waivers during roster cutdowns. Particularly if Meyers confirms his status on the roster, it would come as no surprise if Jones and/or Tinsley were to find themselves playing elsewhere in 2026.

Jenkins, 24, has totaled 13 starts in two Bengals seasons but the defensive interior has been an area of focus this spring for Cincinnati. Dehner notes the strong early showings from seventh-round rookie Landon Robinson could help result in Jenkins being moved in the near future. Hudson finds himself in a crowded TE room, and his one-year pact contains only $50K in guaranteed money. A trade or cut in his case would yield $1.08MM in cap savings.