While I expected more from this free agency period, the Cincinnati Bengals were able to sign a solid number of role players at a surprisingly low cost. While I disagree with the organization’s overall emphasis on the secondary, safeties Geno Stone and Vonn Bell will ensure that the team has four starting-quality safety on the roster. Furthermore, the only major positional need on the defensive side was for interior lineman.
Cincinnati finally managed to fill the big vacancy left on the inside with the departure of D.J. Reader by signing Houston Texans 3-technique tackle Sheldon Rankins. Rankins has been an above-average defensive tackle in the NFL since being selected with the 12th selection in the 2016 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. While he will immediately bring an improved pass rush from the inside of the defensive line, Rankins has been below-average against the running game during his career due to his tiny stature for a defensive lineman (305 pounds).
On Wednesday afternoon, Rankins had his first press conference since signing his new contract. He was questioned about his great game versus Cincinnati in 2023, in which he sacked Bengals standout quarterback Joe Burrow three times. Let’s just say Rankins was rather candid about how offensive line coach Frank Pollack handled him during the game.
“They didn’t slide, and I don’t know why,” Rankins remarked. “Before I said anything (to Taylor), ‘Hey, how are you doing, anything else,’ I responded, “Why the **** did you not slide?” We simply sort of chuckled about it. He said, ‘You know what, man, you know, we probably should have.’ I said, “Well, I’m glad you didn’t.” I even questioned (center) Ted (Karras) around halfway through the game, “Are you guys going to switch up the game plan?” I won’t ask you again, but is that what you want to do? “Let’s do it.”
Rankins makes an excellent point, given how he handled young guard Cordell Volson during the game. When he says “slide to him,” he implies Cincinnati should have altered the offensive line so that Rankins was effectively double-teamed by Volson and center Ted Karras. Given that Rankins had one of his best games of his career, that was clearly the wisest option.
Rankins begins his tenure by challenging the offensive coaching staff’s decisions, as many fans and commentators did throughout the previous season. Now that Pollack has hired a high-end offensive tackle in Trent Brown, he has run out of excuses and should be fired if the line does not improve this season.
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