The Cincinnati Bengals have made a series of roster changes ahead of the start of training camp for the 2025 season. During the off-season the Bengals have had dealt with a multitude of issues including failing to reach a contract extension with DE Trey Hendrickson, failing to sign 2025 1st -Round draft pick Shemar Stewart, and a lengthy contract negotiation with 2025 2nd-Round draft pick Demetrius Knight. Fortunately, the Bengals did successfully reach an agreement with Knight last week as the Bengals rookies reported to training camp. Despite the challenges, the Bengals have faced in conflicts between Bengals players and the Cincinnati front office. The Bengals have recently made moves to reinforce their roster heading into the official start of training camp.
QB Desmond Ridder Signed
In 2021, University of Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder led the Bearcats to a berth in the College Football Playoff, becoming the first non-Power Conference team to qualify for the playoffs. During that game, Ridder came up short in his effort to help Cincinnati upset the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Cotton Bowl. After that game, Ridder was a 3rd-Round draft pick for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022. While playing for the Falcons, Ridder started in 19 games, completing 322 out of 503 passes for 3,544 yards, along with 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Before the 2024 season, Ridder was traded to the Arizona Cardinals and eventually ended up with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Bengals have decided to bring Ridder “back home” by adding him to the 2025 roster, hoping he can contribute to their offense as a third-string quarterback.
DT McTelvin Agim Signed
The Bengals are attempting to add more depth along their defensive line, and that has led to Cincinnati signing defensive tackle McTelvin Agim. In 2020, the Denver Broncos drafted Agim in the 3rd-Round of the NFL draft. Agim played for the Broncos for three seasons, from 2020 to 2022, appearing in 17 games and recording four solo tackles, eight assists, 1.5 quarterback sacks, one pass deflection, and three quarterback hurries. The Indianapolis Colts signed Agim in 2023, where Agim played in 1 game and registered two assists while playing for the Colts. For 2024, the Houston Texans signed Agim, but he did not play in any games for the Texans. Despite Agim’s previous failures with NFL teams, Cincinnati is giving Agim a chance to prove himself in training camp this season.
DT Taven Bryan Signed
Another defensive tackle that the Bengals are extending an opportunity to make an impact is 1st-round draft pick Taven Bryan. The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Bryan in 2018, and from 2018 to 2021, Bryan played in 63 games for the Jaguars, recording 51 solo tackles, 45 assists, and 5.5 sacks. Bryan did not live up to the Jaguars’ expectations, and in 2022, he signed with the Cleveland Browns. While playing for Cleveland, Bryan appeared in 16 games while producing 11 solo tackles, 15 assists, three sacks, six quarterback hurries, and one pass deflection. Despite his efforts, Bryan once again moved on and signed with the Indianapolis Colts, where he played in 34 games during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. During those seasons, Bryan produced 23 solo tackles, 19 assists, three sacks, 25 quarterback hurries, and three pass deflections.
C Andrew Raym Signed
Another position group where the Bengals need to increase depth is along their offensive line. Andrew Raym spent the 2024 NFL season with the Carolina Panthers, where he only appeared in one game. The 6’4″,327-pound Raym played college football at the University of Oklahoma from 2020 until 2023. While playing for the Sooners, Raym appeared in 43 games and started 29 games while at Oklahoma. During training camp, Raym will have a chance to compete for a backup role behind Bengals center Ted Karras. For Raym, signing with the Bengals is another opportunity to demonstrate that he belongs in the NFL.
TE Erick All Jr. Moved to the Active/PUP List
During the 2024 season, Erick All Jr. had a successful start to his NFL career after being drafted in the 4th round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the Bengals. During the first nine games, All had 21 catches for 158 yards, but his season ended when he tore his ACL in Week 9. The Bengals were hopeful that All would be available for the 2025 season, but All experienced complications after undergoing surgery to repair his ACL. Those complications led to multiple operations, and the Bengals are moving All to the physically unable to perform list with the expectation that he will not be able to play at all during the 2025 season.
C Seth McLaughlin Moved to the Active/NFI List
Offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin had an exceptional college football career. McLaughlin spent four seasons at the University of Alabama from 2020 until 2023, and while playing for the Crimson Tide, McLaughlin played in 37 games and started 25 of those games. After the 2023 season, McLaughlin transferred to Ohio State University, and he started 10 games for the Buckeyes. Unfortunately for McLaughlin, he suffered an injury that ended his season, and as a result, he did not get drafted during the 2025 NFL draft. Needing depth along the offensive line, the Bengals signed McLaughlin as an undrafted free agent. Cincinnati has moved McLaughlin to the non-football injury list, but they do expect McLaughlin to be able to play this season and compete for a spot on the Bengals’ active roster.
G Tashawn Manning Waived
During the off-season, the Bengals signed former Baltimore Ravens offensive guard Tashawn Manning to compete for a position in 2025. Manning played college football at Auburn University from 2017 until 2021, and then he transferred to the University of Kentucky for the 2024 season. In 2023, Manning ended up signing with the Baltimore Ravens, but during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Manning did not get an opportunity to appear in a game for the Ravens. As the Bengals add other offensive linemen, it reduces the Bengals’ need for Manning, and thus, they have waived him from the roster.
QB Logan Woodside Released
As the Bengals prepared for mini-camp, Cincinnati decided to re-sign backup quarterback Logan Woodside. Woodside started his NFL career with the Bengals in 2018, but then signed with the Tennessee Titans. After spending three seasons with the Titans, Woodside spent time with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023. The Bengals then re-signed him to serve as the third-string quarterback for the 2024 season. Due to the Bengals signing Ridder, which brings starting quarterback experience to Cincinnati, Woodside is the odd man out, resulting in the Bengals releasing him before the start of training camp.
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