Cincinnati Bengals Terminate WR Contract in Sudden Move

The Cincinnati Bengals are making another change to their roster, releasing wide receiver and kick returner Ke’Shawn Williams, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

The move comes shortly after Williams appeared in his first game of the 2026 season.

Williams, 24, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers following the 2025 NFL Draft.

He initially began his professional career on Pittsburgh’s practice squad before earning a promotion to the active roster in October. His time with the Steelers, however, came to an end in December when the team released him.

The Bengals subsequently claimed Williams off waivers, giving him an opportunity to continue his career in Cincinnati. He remained with the organization into the 2026 season and earned a spot on the team’s roster, primarily because of his potential contribution as a return specialist.

Williams saw limited action with the Bengals this season. In his lone appearance, he handled five kick returns and totaled 131 return yards. While those numbers provided Cincinnati with a look at what he could offer on special teams, the team has now decided to move in a different direction.

The decision also comes at a time when Cincinnati is adjusting its options at wide receiver and on special teams.

Williams had been viewed primarily as a return option rather than a major contributor in the Bengals’ passing game, making his roster position particularly dependent on his value in the return game.

His release leaves Williams looking for another opportunity in the NFL. Given his age and previous experience with both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, he could potentially draw interest from teams searching for additional depth at wide receiver or help in the return game.

For the Bengals, the move represents another adjustment as they continue managing their roster during the regular season.

Cincinnati will now have to determine how it wants to handle its return duties moving forward, while Williams will await his next opportunity.

Williams’ NFL career is still in its early stages, but his path so far has included multiple organizations and opportunities to establish himself at the professional level.

His next destination could provide another chance to demonstrate his abilities and carve out a more permanent role.

The Bengals’ decision is the latest roster development surrounding the team, and Williams’ availability could become something to monitor as other clubs evaluate their special-teams needs.