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2021 Cincinnati Bengals season

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2021 Cincinnati Bengals season
OwnerMike Brown
Head coachZac Taylor
Home fieldPaul Brown Stadium
Results
Record1−1
Division place2nd AFC North
Uniform

The 2021 season will be the Cincinnati Bengals' upcoming 52nd season in the National Football League, their 54th overall and their third under head coach Zac Taylor. They will also be playing in new uniforms for the first time since 2004.[1] They will attempt to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2015 season.

In the off-season, long-time Bengals receiver A. J. Green signed with the Arizona Cardinals. Green had been with the team since they drafted him in 2011.[2] He left the team 2nd in franchise history, behind Chad Johnson, in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and receptions.

Offseason

Free agents

As of March 15, 2021[3]

Unrestricted

Position Player 2021 Team Date signed Contract
CB Mackensie Alexander Minnesota Vikings March 26[4] 1 year, $1.127 million
QB Brandon Allen Cincinnati Bengals March 10[5] 1 year, $1.5 million
K Randy Bullock Detroit Lions March 18[6] 1 year, $1.5 million
MLB Josh Bynes Carolina Panthers August 11[7] 1 year, $850K
TE Cethan Carter Miami Dolphins March 15[8] 3 years, $7.8 million
DT Christian Covington Los Angeles Chargers May 10[9] 1 year, $990K
DT Mike Daniels Cincinnati Bengals March 31[10] 1 year, $2.5 million
WR Alex Erickson Houston Texans March 18[11] 1 year, $1.2 million
OLB Jordan Evans Cincinnati Bengals March 28[12] 1 year, $1.127 million
WR A. J. Green Arizona Cardinals March 17[13] 1 year, $8 million
LS Clark Harris Cincinnati Bengals March 3[14] 1 year, $1.2 million
P Kevin Huber Cincinnati Bengals March 22[15] 1 year, $1.637 million
DE Margus Hunt Arizona Cardinals August 11[16] 1 year, $1.075 million
CB William Jackson III Washington Football Team March 16[17] 3 years, $42 million
DE Carl Lawson New York Jets March 15[18] 3 years, $45 million
RB Samaje Perine Cincinnati Bengals March 17[19] 2 years, $3.3 million
G Alex Redmond New England Patriots May 17[20] 1 year, $1.080 million
WR John Ross New York Giants March 16[21] 1 year, $2.5 million
CB LeShaun Sims
G Quinton Spain Cincinnati Bengals March 23[22] 1 year, $1.127 million
WR Mike Thomas Cincinnati Bengals March 18[23] 1 year, $1.015 million
S Shawn Williams Arizona Cardinals March 29[24] 1 year, $1.075 million
DT Xavier Williams Arizona Cardinals June 7[25] 1 year, $990K
FS Brandon Wilson Cincinnati Bengals March 16[26] 2 years, $4.625 million

Restricted

Position Player 2021 Team Date signed Contract
CB Tony Brown Cincinnati Bengals March 17[27] 1 year, $920K

Exclusive-Rights

Position Player 2021 Team Date signed Contract
DE Amani Bledsoe Cincinnati Bengals March 31[28] 1 year, $780K
CB Jalen Davis Cincinnati Bengals March 3[29] 1 year, $850K

Signings

Position Player 2020 team Date signed Contract
DE Trey Hendrickson New Orleans Saints March 15[30] 4 years, $60 million
CB Chidobe Awuzie Dallas Cowboys March 16[31] 3 years, $21.75 million
CB Mike Hilton Pittsburgh Steelers March 16[32] 4 years, $24 million
DT Larry Ogunjobi Cleveland Browns March 17[33] 1 year, $6.2 million
OT Riley Reiff Minnesota Vikings March 19[34] 1 year, $7.5 million
CB Eli Apple Carolina Panthers March 23[35] 1 year, $1.2 million
S Ricardo Allen Atlanta Falcons March 24[36] 1 year, $1.49 million
TE Thaddeus Moss Washington Football Team April 12[37] 1 year, $660K
WR Trent Taylor San Francisco 49ers May 17[38] 1 year, $920K
S Kavon Frazier Miami Dolphins May 27[39] 1 year, $990K
WR Reece Horn Tampa Bay Vipers (XFL) July 26[40] 1 year, $660K

Releases

Position Player Date released 2021 team Contract
C B. J. Finney March 5[41] Pittsburgh Steelers[42] 1 year, $1.127 million
DT Geno Atkins March 19[43]
OT Bobby Hart March 19[43] Buffalo Bills[44] 1 year, $1.127 million
RB Giovani Bernard April 7 [45] Tampa Bay Buccaneers[46] 1 year, $1.075 million

Trades

Draft

Main article: 2021 NFL Draft
2021 Cincinnati Bengals draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 5 Ja'Marr Chase  Wide receiver LSU
2 46 Jackson Carman  Tackle Clemson from New England
3 69 Joseph Ossai  Defensive end Texas
4 111 Cameron Sample  Defensive end Tulane
4 122 Tyler Shelvin  Defensive tackle LSU from Arizona via Houston and New England
4 139 D'Ante Smith  Tackle East Carolina from New England
5 149 Evan McPherson  Kicker Florida
6 190 Trey Hill  Center Georgia
6 202 Chris Evans  Running back Michigan from Miami via Houston
7 235 Wyatt Hubert  Defensive end Kansas State from Detroit via Seattle
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Trades

  • Seattle traded center B. J. Finney and Detroit's seventh-round selection (No. 235) to Cincinnati for defensive end Carlos Dunlap.
  • Cincinnati traded Ryan Finley and seventh round selection (No. 248) to the Houston Texans in exchange for a sixth-round selection (No. 202).
  • Cincinnati traded their second-round selection (38th overall) to the New England Patriots in exchange for the Patriots second-round selection (46th overall) and two fourth-round selections (122nd and 139th overall).

Undrafted free agents

The Bengals announced their Undrafted free agent class on May 14.[49]

2021 Undrafted Free Agents
Player Position College Date Cut
Pooka Williams Jr. RB Kansas May 14[50] August 31[51]
Pro Wells TE TCU August 16[52]
Antonio Phillips CB Ball State August 31[51]
Darius Hodge DE Marshall
Riley Lees WR Northwestern August 16[53]
Drue Chrisman P Ohio State August 31[51]
Gunnar Vogel OT Northwestern July 27[54]

Staff

Cincinnati Bengals staff
Front office
  • Owner/president – Mike Brown
  • Executive vice president – Katie Blackburn
  • Vice president – Troy Blackburn
  • Vice president of player personnel – Paul Brown Jr.
  • Director of player personnel – Duke Tobin
  • Senior personnel executive – Trey Brown
  • College scouting director – Mike Potts
  • Pro scouting director – Steven Radicivec
Head coach
Offensive coaches
  • Offensive coordinator – Dan Pitcher
  • Passing game coordinator – Justin Rascati
  • Quarterbacks – Brad Kragthorpe
  • Assistant quarterbacks – Fredi Knighten
  • Running backs – Justin Hill
  • Wide receivers – Troy Walters
  • Tight ends – James Casey
  • Offensive line/run game coordinator – Frank Pollack
  • Assistant offensive line – Derek Frazier
  • Offensive assistant – Jordan Salkin
  
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
  • Strength and conditioning – Joey Boese
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Todd Hunt
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Garrett Swanson
Football operations
  • Chief of coaching staff – Doug Rosfeld
  • Consultant – Jim McNally

→ Coaching staff
→ Front office
→ More NFL staffs

Current roster

Cincinnati Bengals roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve


As of January 3, 2025. Rookies in italics.

53 active, 14 reserve, 15 practice squad

NFL Top 100

Main article: NFL Top 100 Players of 2021
Rank Player Position Change
73 Trey Hendrickson DE N/A
90 Jessie Bates FS N/A

Preseason

The Bengals' preseason opponents and schedule were announced on May 12.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 14 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 19–14 1–0 Raymond James Stadium Recap
2 August 20 at Washington Football Team L 13–17 1–1 FedExField Recap
3 August 29 Miami Dolphins L 26–29 1–2 Paul Brown Stadium Recap

Regular season

Schedule

The Bengals 2021 schedule was announced on May 12.[55]

Week Date Kickoff (ET) Opponent Result Record Venue TV Recap
1 September 12 1:00 p.m. Minnesota Vikings W 27−24 (OT) 1−0 Paul Brown Stadium Fox Recap
2 September 19 1:00 p.m. at Chicago Bears L 17−20 1−1 Soldier Field Fox Recap
3 September 26 1:00 p.m. at Pittsburgh Steelers Heinz Field CBS
4 September 30 8:20 p.m. Jacksonville Jaguars Paul Brown Stadium NFLN/WLWT
5 October 10 1:00 p.m. Green Bay Packers Paul Brown Stadium Fox
6 October 17 1:00 p.m. at Detroit Lions Ford Field Fox
7 October 24 1:00 p.m. at Baltimore Ravens M&T Bank Stadium CBS
8 October 31 1:00 p.m. at New York Jets MetLife Stadium CBS
9 November 7 1:00 p.m. Cleveland Browns Paul Brown Stadium CBS
10 Bye
11 November 21 4:05 p.m. at Las Vegas Raiders Allegiant Stadium CBS
12 November 28 1:00 p.m. Pittsburgh Steelers Paul Brown Stadium CBS
13 December 5 1:00 p.m. Los Angeles Chargers Paul Brown Stadium Fox
14 December 12 1:00 p.m. San Francisco 49ers Paul Brown Stadium CBS
15 December 19 4:05 p.m. at Denver Broncos Empower Field at Mile High CBS
16 December 26 1:00 p.m. Baltimore Ravens Paul Brown Stadium CBS
17 January 2 1:00 p.m. Kansas City Chiefs Paul Brown Stadium CBS
18 January 9 1:00 p.m. at Cleveland Browns FirstEnergy Stadium CBS

Notes

  • Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
  • Networks and times from Weeks 5–18 are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling.
  • Week 18 is subject to being flexed to Saturday, January 8.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week 1: Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Vikings 0 7 710024
Bengals 0 14 73327

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

With the overtime win, the Bengals began their season 1–0 for the first time since 2018.

Week 2: at Chicago Bears

Week 2: Cincinnati Bengals at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bengals 0 0 31417
Bears 7 0 01320

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

Week 3: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 3: Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bengals 0 0 000
Steelers 0 0 000

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Standings

Division

AFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Cincinnati Bengals 10 7 0 .588 4–2 8–4 460 376 L1
(7) Pittsburgh Steelers 9 7 1 .559 4–2 7–5 343 398 W2
Cleveland Browns 8 9 0 .471 3–3 5–7 349 371 W1
Baltimore Ravens 8 9 0 .471 1–5 5–7 387 392 L6

Conference

AFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division winners
1[a] Tennessee Titans South 12 5 0 .706 5–1 8–4 .472 .480 W3
2[a] Kansas City Chiefs West 12 5 0 .706 5–1 7–5 .538 .517 W1
3 Buffalo Bills East 11 6 0 .647 5–1 7–5 .472 .428 W4
4 Cincinnati Bengals North 10 7 0 .588 4–2 8–4 .472 .462 L1
Wild cards
5[b] Las Vegas Raiders West 10 7 0 .588 3–3 8–4 .510 .515 W4
6[b] New England Patriots East 10 7 0 .588 3–3 8–4 .481 .394 L1
7 Pittsburgh Steelers North 9 7 1 .559 4–2 7–5 .521 .490 W2
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[c] Indianapolis Colts South 9 8 0 .529 3–3 7–5 .495 .431 L2
9[c][d] Miami Dolphins East 9 8 0 .529 4–2 6–6 .464 .379 W1
10[c][d] Los Angeles Chargers West 9 8 0 .529 3–3 6–6 .510 .500 L1
11[e] Cleveland Browns North 8 9 0 .471 3–3 5–7 .514 .415 W1
12[e] Baltimore Ravens North 8 9 0 .471 1–5 5–7 .531 .460 L6
13 Denver Broncos West 7 10 0 .412 1–5 3–9 .484 .357 L4
14[f] New York Jets East 4 13 0 .235 0–6 4–8 .512 .426 L2
15[f] Houston Texans South 4 13 0 .235 3–3 4–8 .498 .397 L2
16 Jacksonville Jaguars South 3 14 0 .176 1–5 3–9 .512 .569 W1
Tiebreakers[g]
  1. ^ a b Tennessee finished ahead of Kansas City based on head-to-head victory, claiming the No. 1 seed.
  2. ^ a b Las Vegas claimed the No. 5 seed over New England based on win percentage in common games (5–1 vs. 2–4 against: Miami, Dallas, LA Chargers, Cleveland, and Indianapolis).
  3. ^ a b c Indianapolis finished ahead of Miami and Los Angeles based on conference record (7–5 vs. 6–6).
  4. ^ a b Miami finished ahead of LA Chargers based on win percentage in common games (5–1 vs. 2–4 against: New England, Las Vegas, Houston, Baltimore, and NY Giants).
  5. ^ a b Cleveland finished ahead of Baltimore based on division record (3–3 vs. 1–5).
  6. ^ a b NY Jets finished ahead of Houston based on head-to-head victory.
  7. ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

References

  1. ^ Hobson, Geoff (January 21, 2021). "Bengals Helmet Still At Head Of The Class". Bengals.com. Cincinnati Bengals. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  2. ^ "Arizona Cardinals agree to 1-year deal with A.J. Green; also add Matt Prater for 2 years". ESPN.com. March 17, 2021.
  3. ^ LaPlace, Michael. "Bengals List Of Players Who Are Scheduled For Free Agency In 2021". bengals.com. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  4. ^ Cronin, Courtney. "Mackensie Alexander back with Minnesota Vikings after one season". ESPN.com. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  5. ^ "Bengals Re-Sign Quarterback Brandon Allen". bengals.com. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Former Bengals Kicker Randy Bullock Has a New Team". si.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Panthers Add Veteran Help At Linebacker, Sign Josh Bynes". apnews.com. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  8. ^ Nogle, Kevin. "Dolphins sign Cethan Carter in free agency 2021". thephinsider.com. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Agree to Terms with Christian Covington". chargers.com. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
  10. ^ "Bengals Re-Sign Mike Daniels". bengals.com. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  11. ^ Lane, Mark. "Texans sign former Bengals receiver Alex Erickson to 1-year contract". texanswire.usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  12. ^ "Bengals Sign Jordan Evans". bengals.com. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  13. ^ "A.J. Green, Arizona Cardinals finalizing 1-year deal, source says". ESPN.com. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  14. ^ "Bengals Re-Sign Clark Harris". bengals.com. March 3, 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  15. ^ "Bengals Re-Sign Punter Kevin Huber". bengals.com. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Cardinals Announce Signing of 3 Defensive Ends, 1 Tight End". Revenge of the Birds. SB Nation. August 10, 2021.
  17. ^ "Source: Washington, William Jackson agree on 3-year, $42M deal". ESPN.com. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  18. ^ Staszewski, Joseph. "Jets land pass rusher Carl Lawson in NFL free agency". nypost.com. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  19. ^ Williams, Charean. "Report: Samaje Perine returning to Bengals on two-year deal". profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  20. ^ "Patriots Sign Offensive Lineman James Ferentz and Alex Redmond". patriots.com. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  21. ^ Schwartz, Paul. "Giants sign speedy receiver John Ross to one-year deal". nypost.com. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  22. ^ Roling, Chris. "Bengals bring back free-agent OL Quinton Spain". bengalswire.usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  23. ^ "Bengals re-sign Mike Thomas". profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  24. ^ "Roundup: Cardinals add veteran safety Shawn Williams". NFL.com. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  25. ^ Urban, Darren (June 7, 2021). "Cardinals Bring Back Defensive Lineman Xavier Williams". AZCardinals.com.
  26. ^ "Bengals Sign Brandon Wilson to Two-Year Contract Extension". si.com. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  27. ^ Alper, Josh. "Bengals re-sign Tony Brown". profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  28. ^ "Amani Bledsoe Re-Signs With The Bengals". bengals.com. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  29. ^ "Jalen Davis Re-Signs With Bengals". bengals.com. March 3, 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  30. ^ Gordon, Grant. "Former Saints DE Trey Hendrickson signing with Bengals for four years, $60 million". NFL.com. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  31. ^ Hobson, Geoff. "Reports: Bengals Bulk Up On Defense Again With CB Awuzie". bengals.com. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  32. ^ Strackbein, Noah. "Steelers Lose Mike Hilton to Bengals". si.com. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  33. ^ Baby, Ben. "Cincinnati Bengals, veteran defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi agree on contract, source says". ESPN.com. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  34. ^ Hobson, Geof. "Burrow Gets His Man; Reiff: "I Want To Block For That Guy'". bengals.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  35. ^ "Bengals Sign Eli Apple". bengals.com. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  36. ^ Sheeran, John. "Bengals sign Ricardo Allen, per report". cincyjungle.com. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  37. ^ Roling, Chris. "Bengals claim TE Thaddeus Moss, former teammate of Joe Burrow". bengalswire.usatoday.com. USA Today. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  38. ^ Patra, Kevin. "Roundup: Bengals signing ex-49ers slot receiver Trent Taylor". NFL.com. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  39. ^ "Bengals Sign Kavon Frazier". bengals.com. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  40. ^ "Bengals Sign Reece Horn". cincyjungle.com. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  41. ^ Fowler, Jeremy. "Cincinnati Bengals release guard B.J. Finney". ESPN.com. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  42. ^ Pryor, Brooke. "Pittsburgh Steelers sign veteran OL B.J. Finney to one-year deal". ESPN.com. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  43. ^ a b "Bengals Agree To Trade Finley And Release Atkins, Hart". bengals.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  44. ^ Simmons, Myles. "Bills sign Bobby Hart". profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  45. ^ "Bengals release Giovani Bernard". cincyjungle.com. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  46. ^ Smith, Michael David. "Bucs signing Giovani Bernard". profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  47. ^ "Bengals Trade Quarterback Ryan Finley To Texans". si.com. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  48. ^ Hobson, Geoff. "Price For Trade As Bengals Pick Up D-Tackle From Giants". bengals.com. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  49. ^ "Bengals Sign Six College Free Agents". bengals.com.
  50. ^ "Bengals Sign Six College Free Agents". bengals.com. May 14, 2021.
  51. ^ a b c "Bengals Reduce 2021 Roster To 53 Players". bengals.com. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  52. ^ "Bengals Waive 3 Players, Trim Roster To 85". cincyjungle.com. August 16, 2021.
  53. ^ "Bengals Waive 3 Players, Trim Roster To 85". cincyjungle.com. August 16, 2021.
  54. ^ "Bengals Sign Tackle Gunnar Vogel". bengals.com. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  55. ^ @Bengals (12 May 2021). "Week 1 AT HOME" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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