Shocking: 5 Bengals Players Who Won’t Be Back for the 2025 Season

In the end, the 2024 Cincinnati Bengals season will be viewed as a letdown. Even though the Bengals had a 9–8 record at the end of the season, they missed out on postseason participation for the second straight year and squandered one of their best seasons ever with star quarterback Joe Burrow.

The team will now need to decide which players to cut during the offseason, among many other crucial roster decisions. It will be easier to make certain calls than others. For instance, it’s safe to assume that Burrow will remain in place. However, a few players have already played their final game with the Bengals. These five players most likely won’t return to Cincinnati for the upcoming campaign.

Sheldon Rankins, Defensive tackle

Sheldon Rankins’ tenure with the Bengals appears to be headed for a one-and-done scenario. Signed last offseason to a two-year, $24.5 million deal to strengthen the defensive line, Rankins struggled to make an impact during a disappointing 2024 campaign.

The primary issue was his lack of availability. Rankins missed more games than he played, sitting out three early-season contests due to a hamstring injury before missing the final seven games with an illness that landed him on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list. In total, he appeared in just seven games while missing 10.

Even when healthy, the 30-year-old defensive tackle failed to deliver. He recorded only 10 total tackles and one sack, a far cry from the production Cincinnati had hoped for. Considering his limited impact and frequent absences, the Bengals are expected to move on from Rankins this offseason. Releasing him would save $9.5 million against the cap, with only $2 million in dead money, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic.

Not every free-agent signing pans out, and unfortunately, Rankins’ stint in Cincinnati seems to be a prime example.

Vonn Bell, Safety

The reunion between Vonn Bell and the Bengals didn’t go as planned for either side. Bell was a key piece of Cincinnati’s defense during their playoff runs in 2021 and 2022, but after the team let him walk in free agency, he signed a three-year deal with the Carolina Panthers in 2023. However, his time in Carolina was short-lived, as he was released after just one season.

Despite that red flag, Cincinnati brought Bell back in 2024, hoping to stabilize a struggling secondary. While the move made sense on paper, the 30-year-old safety was no longer the same player. Bell appeared to have lost a step, and his performance reflected that decline. Eventually, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo made the difficult decision to bench Bell in favor of Jordan Battle, whose presence improved the secondary’s overall performance.

Bell’s decline was evident in his usage, as he played a career-low 62 percent of defensive snaps in 2024, a stark contrast to the 95 percent or more he logged during his first stint with the Bengals. While the decision to bring him back was understandable given his past impact, it’s clear that Bell’s days in Cincinnati are coming to an end.

Khalil Herbert, Running back

The Bengals acquired Khalil Herbert at the trade deadline to strengthen their backfield, but his role in Cincinnati was minimal. Heading into the final week of the regular season, Herbert had only eight carries for 45 yards in a Bengals uniform. In Week 18, he saw increased usage due to Chase Brown’s injury but managed just 20 carries for 65 yards, averaging 3.5 yards per carry.

Brown’s breakout 2024 campaign has firmly established him as the Bengals’ three-down back and their running back of the future. Meanwhile, Zack Moss remains under contract for another year and is expected to return as a reserve option in 2025.

While there’s a slim chance Cincinnati could bring Herbert back, it seems unlikely given his limited impact. The Bengals are more likely to rely on Brown, Moss, and a cost-effective, younger player to round out their backfield next season. Herbert, on the other hand, will likely find an opportunity with another team.

Sam Hubbard, Defensive end

Parting ways with Sam Hubbard would be a tough decision for the Bengals, given his vital role over the past seven seasons. However, 2024 highlighted a significant decline in his performance. Hubbard recorded just 41 tackles—the lowest since his rookie year—and tied a career-low with only two sacks.

His struggles to pressure quarterbacks were evident, possibly exacerbated by playing through a hamstring tear. Even so, the Bengals require a more impactful presence opposite Trey Hendrickson, who led the NFL in sacks this season. Releasing Hubbard, who has one year left on his contract, would free up over $9 million in cap space—valuable flexibility for a team needing upgrades across the roster.

While Hubbard will always be cherished in Cincinnati for his contributions, the harsh reality of the NFL often necessitates difficult choices. His departure could be one of them this offseason.

Trent Brown, Offensive tackle

The Bengals signed Trent Brown to a one-year deal last offseason to help strengthen the offensive line in front of Joe Burrow, but his 2024 campaign was derailed by injury. Brown suffered a torn patellar tendon in Week 3 against the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football, ending his season prematurely. That injury may also mark the end of his short tenure in Cincinnati.

A former Pro Bowler in 2019 with the Raiders, Brown will turn 32 before the 2025 season and appears to be past his prime. Additionally, the Bengals seem set at offensive tackle with Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims slated to start next season.

While it’s possible the team could consider bringing Brown back in a reserve role if the price is right, his durability is a major concern. Given his recent injury history, Cincinnati would likely benefit more from investing in younger, healthier talent to bolster their offensive line moving forward.