The Cincinnati Bengals made waves Friday afternoon by cutting veteran defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins just one year into his two-year, $24.5M contract – a move that saves $9.62M in cap space while ending an underwhelming tenure for the former first-round pick.
The 30-year-old defender spent most of the 2024 season battling illness, appearing in just seven games while recording 18 tackles and one sack before landing on the non-football illness list. This marked his least productive season since 2019, when he played only 10 games for New Orleans due to ankle injuries.
Financial Fallout & Career Crossroads
Cincinnati’s decision creates $9.62M in immediate cap relief while absorbing $2M in dead money – crucial flexibility as they approach free agency. Rankins’ release comes exactly 11 months after signing a deal containing $8M guaranteed, illustrating the NFL’s brutal financial realities.
Once considered among football’s most disruptive interior linemen, Rankins boasts 29.5 career sacks across stints with four franchises. His peak came with New Orleans (2016-2020), where he recorded 17.5 sacks including an 8-sack campaign in 2018 that helped propel Drew Brees’ final playoff run.
Legacy of Perseverance
The Covington, Georgia native overcame multiple setbacks since being drafted 12th overall in 2016:
- Tore Achilles tendon during 2018 playoff run
- Missed 10 games combined in 2018-2019 seasons
- Revived career with NY Jets (2021-2022) and Houston Texans (2023)
“This business never stops surprising you,” Rankins tweeted Friday night alongside a praying hands emoji – his first public response to the move.
What’s Next for Cincinnati?
The Bengals now face critical questions about their defensive front:
| Remaining DT Depth | 2024 Stats |
|---|---|
| DJ Reader | 32 tackles |
| Josh Tupou | 19 tackles |
With free agency looming March 13, Cincinnati could target younger options like Christian Wilkins or Justin Madubuike to pair with star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
