ESPN DEAL COMPLETED: Zack Moss, Signed A New, Long Term Contract With The Cincinnati Bengals.

NFL free agency is off and running, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2024 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday, which means free agent signings can be made official after that. The first round of the 2024 NFL draft begins April 25 on ESPN.

Here’s a breakdown of every 2024 NFL free agent signing by the Cincinnati Bengals and how each will impact the upcoming season:

The Bengals and the former Colts running back agreed to a two-year, $8 million deal.

What it means: The Bengals are making a big change at running back. Moss will replace Joe Mixon, a seven-year starter who will be released, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Mixon had been productive for Cincinnati and had a solid 2023 season. However, Cincinnati needs its running game to be more explosive in order to make it easier to hit big plays in the passing game. When Moss filled in for Jonathan Taylor at the beginning of last season, he was one of the top rushers in the league. Cincinnati will be hoping he can find that form in 2024.

What’s the risk: While Mixon was good at getting the available yards, Cincinnati needs a running back who can create big plays and force defenses to commit more players to the line of scrimmage. Moss is on a very team-friendly contract, so the financial risk is limited. However, if Moss can’t create those explosive plays and back-ups Chase Brown and Trayveon Williams are unable to as well, Cincinnati will run into the same problems it had in 2023.

The Bengals agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with Davis-Gaither.

What it means: While Davis-Gaither’s defensive snap count dropped last season, this deal signals that he added value as a core special teams option. Last season, he was on the field for a career-high 80% of the team’s special teams snaps. The fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft also is the third linebacker in more traditional 4-3 packages.

What’s the risk: Based on the terms of the deal, there is little risk involved in this one. Cincinnati spent the first day of free agency re-signing players on expiring deals, except ex-Ravens safety Geno Stone, who agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth $15 million. Davis-Gaither fits that profile and also becomes the fourth player in the 2020 Bengals draft class to earn a second contract with the club.

What it means: The Bengals address a position of need with a familiar AFC North foe. Stone, who played the last three seasons with the Ravens, was second in the NFL in interceptions with seven, and one of those was a critical pick in a Week 2 win over the Bengals. Cincinnati needed a veteran safety with the position limbo for rookie Dax Hill. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo could move Hill to a cornerback spot to take advantage of the 2022 first-round pick’s range. This move will have a major impact on how the Bengals line up next season.

What’s the risk: The Bengals have to get the secondary situation sorted out immediately. If Stone doesn’t fix the Bengals’ woes, they could be positioned to struggle at the back of the defense for the second straight year. It’s the type of weakness that could prevent Cincinnati from becoming an AFC contender in 2024.

The Bengals brought back Sample on a three-year, $10.5 million deal.

What it means: The Bengals addressed one of their biggest position needs with one of the most trusted players on the roster. They re-signed Sample, a 2019 second-round pick, to a three-year contract extension. Sample emerged as the team’s most used tight end last season, earning reps on 47% of the team’s offensive snaps, per NFL Next Gen Stats. While he has improved as a reliable pass-catching option, Sample’s usefulness in the run game cannot be understated. In 2023, Sample was even used as a primary pass blocker on third downs.

What’s the risk: While the numbers of Sample’s deal were not immediately available, there is risk if the Bengals do not supplement the Sample signing with at least another top option, whether it be in free agency or the draft. Cincinnati’s tight ends didn’t yield the same production as in previous seasons. While he had more plays in the passing game in 2023, Sample hasn’t been the top TE passing target in his time with the Bengals. And in an offense that likes to let it fly, that attribute is very important for a player at that position.