The Cincinnati Bengals went into this offseason with a clear mission: build a defense that can actually hang with the offense Joe Burrow runs. And they didn’t mess around. They added Dexter Lawrence II, one of the best nose tackles in football. They brought in Jonathan Allen, a proven pass rusher. They signed safety Kyle Dugger. They picked up guard Dalton Risner. Then they drafted Tacario Davis and Josh Newton, two cornerbacks who look like they belong.
That aggressive approach turned the roster over fast. It also created a problem for a handful of guys who were already on the team. Suddenly, spots that felt safe a few months ago don’t feel that way anymore. Let’s get into three Bengals who could be on their way out after minicamp.
Kris Jenkins Jr. is stuck between two stars
Jenkins was a draft investment the Bengals hoped would turn into a disruptive interior force. It hasn’t really happened yet. He’s not a huge run-stuffer like Lawrence. He’s not a consistent pass-rush threat like Allen. He’s kind of in between, and that’s a rough place to be when the guys ahead of you are that good.
The coaching staff wants maximum production from every spot on the roster. Jenkins hasn’t shown he can create penetration consistently. If he doesn’t show up in training camp and prove he can affect games, the Bengals might start looking into trade options. Or they might just move on. It’s that simple.
DJ Ivey is getting squeezed by a deep cornerback room
Credit where it’s due: Ivey has been a solid find since he came into the league. He’s a dependable depth piece and a real contributor on special teams. But the Bengals suddenly have one of the deepest cornerback groups they’ve had in years. DJ Turner II, Dax Hill, and Jalen Davis are established. Tacario Davis and Josh Newton are generating buzz after minicamp.
None of that is Ivey’s fault. He’s just getting outnumbered. His best path to sticking around is becoming indispensable on special teams. If he can do that, maybe he survives. If not, he’s a casualty of the team getting better around him.
Sean Clifford is looking at a numbers problem
Clifford’s path to the 53-man roster is basically a tightrope. Burrow is entrenched, obviously. But the backup room now includes Joe Flacco, a former Super Bowl MVP, and Josh Johnson, who brings years of experience. Most teams only carry two quarterbacks on the active roster. Three is rare.
The Bengals haven’t given up on Clifford, according to team sources. The most realistic scenario is he gets released and brought back on the practice squad. But that’s not guaranteed. Flacco and Johnson offer immediate reliability if Burrow misses time. Clifford would need a truly exceptional preseason to force the team to keep three quarterbacks. And given the roster needs elsewhere, that’s a tough ask.
These are the decisions contenders have to make
None of this is personal. Jenkins, Ivey, and Clifford have all contributed to the Bengals in different ways. But Cincinnati is trying to win a Super Bowl. That means every roster spot has to earn its keep. When you bring in proven veterans and talented rookies, someone always gets squeezed. Training camp will decide who stays and who goes. That’s the business.
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