Zack Moss Released By Cincinnati Bengals After One Turbulent Year

Zack Moss’s time with the Cincinnati Bengals has come to an abrupt and rather unceremonious end. The franchise announced his release earlier this week amid ongoing concerns about his health and an attempt to shuffle their backfield roster. If you are keeping track, this marks the close of a chapter that barely lasted a single season.

What Went Wrong?

Moss, a former breakout star for the Colts, joined the Bengals in 2024 with a modest two-year deal worth $8 million. Unfortunately, any glimmers of optimism were quickly squashed when Moss sustained a season-ending neck injury later that same year. Fast forward to 2025, and while Moss was cleared to participate in OTAs, he did not look like his old self. Landing on the active/non-football injury list during training camp certainly did not do him any favors.

While the Bengals did rework his contract to a more cap-friendly $1.7 million for 2025, his release still leaves them with $1.88 million in dead money. They did manage to free up $1.2 million in cap space in the transaction.

What About His Performance?

Moss had flashes of hope during his time on the field for the Bengals in 2024. He played eight games, racking up 242 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns while splitting reps with rookie Chase Brown. The Bengals clearly sense the need to shake things up. Already, they have signed Samaje Perine back into the fold and drafted Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks as a fresh set of legs for the roster. With these moves, it is not hard to see where Moss fell on their priority list.

What Does This Mean for Moss?

Here’s the cold reality of life in the NFL: potential doesn’t always come with patience. If Moss can bounce back health-wise, there is a real chance another team might take a flyer on him. After all, the talent he showcased during his time with the Colts is not ancient history. But let’s be honest. The neck injury is a glaring red flag, and NFL teams aren’t in the business of charity hiring.

And if Moss does find a way back into the league? Well, that is a rousing comeback tale we would all be eager to watch. For now, though, he is just the latest player to fall victim to the ruthless business side of professional football.

What’s Next For the Bengals?

For Cincinnati, this move feels like part of a bigger strategy to clean house and optimize for the future. With younger talent stepping in and established veterans like Perine providing stability, the Bengals seem to be prioritizing a new-look backfield. The release of Moss frees up just enough cap space to buy a few extra pieces for their larger puzzle, and considering their Super Bowl aspirations, they will need all the flexibility they can get.

Final Thoughts

Moss’s release is one of those NFL stories that feels bittersweet at best and downright unfortunate at worst. It is a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can turn in professional sports, where yesterday’s headline signing can become tomorrow’s roster casualty. Whether you are a Bengals fan or just someone who likes to root for underdogs, all eyes are now on Moss to see if he can rise above the setbacks and prove he’s still got what it takes.