Bengals Release DT Sheldon Rankins After Disappointing Season

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals have released defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, the team announced Friday, after just one year with the organization.

Rankins, a 10-year NFL veteran, was signed in March 2024 on a two-year deal valued at $24.5 million. However, his time with the Bengals was marred by injuries and illness, limiting him to only seven games, all of which he started.

In those appearances, Rankins recorded just 18 tackles and one sack, failing to meet the expectations set when he joined the Bengals. The previous season, Rankins had showcased his abilities with six sacks while playing for the New York Jets, including a standout performance against Cincinnati.

Problems began early in the season when Rankins missed three games due to a hamstring injury. Although he returned to action for five consecutive games, it became evident that health issues were a persistent challenge. He later missed the final seven games of the regular season due to what coach Zac Taylor described as a viral illness.

“I had some optimism that he could get back onto the field as the year progressed,” Taylor stated earlier in the season. “Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.”

Despite hopes for Rankins’ performance after his signing, the Bengals struggled defensively, finishing the season with an 9-8 record and missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year. The defensive line was a primary area of concern, especially after the loss of fellow lineman D.J. Reader the previous season.

By parting ways with Rankins, Cincinnati will save approximately $9.6 million on the salary cap in 2025, although the move does incur a dead money hit of $2 million. This financial flexibility is crucial as the Bengals look to re-sign key players like defensive lineman Trey Hendrickson and wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, all while managing quarterback Joe Burrow‘s significant salary.

Rankins’ release is the latest move in what has been a busy offseason for the Bengals as they aim to rebuild a defense that didn’t perform up to standards last year. The organization has expressed a commitment to improving their roster to ensure better results moving forward.