The Cincinnati Bengals entered the 2026 offseason wanting to build a roster that could complement their elite offense. However, those improvements have also created difficult roster decisions before the start of training camp.

The Bengals have been busy this offseason, acquiring defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants and signing defensive tackle Johnathan Allen and veteran safety Kyle Dugger. But now is the time, not for hiring, but for cutting. Here are the three players that the Bengals could cut.

CB DJ Ivery

Ivey has exceeded expectations ever since he entered the league as the Bengals’ seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, the Bengals currently have one of the deepest cornerback groups with DJ Turner II, Dax Hill, and Jalen Davis.

Ivey’s uphill roster climb is further complicated by his ongoing physical rehabilitation, as he is still working his way back to full football shape after sustaining a late-season torn Achilles. 

QB Josh Johnson

Johnson knew what he was signing up for. And the Cincinnati Bengals knew exactly what they were getting.

The 39-year-old veteran quarterback signed a one-year deal in March 2026 as a reliable camp presence while the team waited on Joe Flacco's situation to resolve. Flacco is locked in as Joe Burrow's primary backup, which means the Bengals now have a clear top-two quarterback room, and Johnson's role effectively ended the moment that became official.

Furthermore, Johnson's value was never about the regular season. He was a mentor, a reliable body for OTA reps, and a preseason insurance policy while the roster took shape around him. And that is exactly what he provided.

The financial commitment reinforces his temporary status, as Johnson's one-year, $1.21 million contract features zero guaranteed money, allowing the front office to terminate his deal with zero dead-cap penalties 

QB Sean Clifford

The former Penn State standout was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. After failing to make Green Bay’s final roster in 2025, he signed with the Bengals’ practice squad in September 2025 following Burrow’s injury.

Clifford originally joined the organization as a high-priority local product out of Cincinnati St. Xavier before earning a promotion to the active roster in late October 2025 following a string of injuries under center

With Burrow returning from injury and former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco still with the team, Clifford is most likely not to find a place in the quarterback room.

Who do you think will be cut from the team?

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Written by

Dhruv Vishnu Nair

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi