3 cut candidates on Bengals roster ahead of NFL training camp

The Cincinnati Bengals had a very interesting 2023-24 season. Finishing dead last in the division usually means a team is among the worst in the league, but that was not the case in their instance. After losing starting quarterback Joe Burrow to a wrist injury, the Bengals somehow managed to remain in the playoff hunt under backup Jake Browning until the penultimate week and ultimately finished 9-8.

Heading into the 2024 season, Burrow is back. And he has not only a new hairstyle but also a new offensive situation.

There's no more Joe Mixon to hand off to after he was traded to the Houston Texans. No more Tyler Boyd to feed from the slot after he joined the Tennessee Titans in free agency. No more Alex Karras protecting his blind side after he left for the Arizona Cardinals to protect Kyler Murray.

All of them have at least been replaced by new men (Zack Moss, Mike Gesicki, and Trent Brown/Amarius Mims). But these three could also be on their way out in Cincy.

3 cut candidates on Bengals roster ahead of NFL training camp

3) Tanner Hudson

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson - Source: Getty

The situation is simple: the Bengals will employ more double-tight end sets in 2024, with Mike Gesicki as the pass-catcher and Drew Sample as the blocker.

But Tanner Hudson will not factor into the rotation. Why? Two words: Erick All.

If Gesicki does not work as hoped, they can just plug in the rookie beside Sample, who is on a three-year contract. They also have another rookie in Tanner McLachlan, so where does Hudson fit?

2) Hakeem Butler

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Hakeem Butler - Source: Getty

Slot receiver will be an interesting side story in Cincinnati for the 2024 season. Mike Gesicki is projected to take it up, but what about the actual wideouts who will relieve him?

One thing is certain, however: reigning UFL Offensive Player of the Year Hakeem Butler will not be in the rotation. He already had his shot at the NFL and failed.

Instead, expect Andrei Iosivas, Trenton Irwin, and rookie Jermain Burton for the spot.

1) Chris Evans

NFL: SEP 10 Bengals at Browns - Source: Getty

Chris Evans has been a Bengal for only three years, but it seems more like an eternity given his shocking fall towards anonymity.

RB1 was always going to be a pipe dream given the presence of Joe Mixon, but at least he would get to be the kickoff returner. And then he lost that job after the team's 2022 bye week to Trayveon Williams and became a healthy inactive in the playoffs.

That same demotion happened in the middle of 2023. But, just to worsen his situation, he was surpassed by then-rookie Chase Brown and became a healthy inactive again.

By this point, Evans should be closer to a release than a playoff run.