Last year, it was the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense that got most of the blame for missing the postseason for the second season in a row, but their rushing attack deserved just as much criticism.
Throughout 2024, they averaged just 92.6 yards on the ground per contest, which was the third-worst rate in the NFL, only ahead of the New York Jets (91.8) and Las Vegas Raiders (79.8).
Over the last few months, Cincinnati has made changes to their running back room, allowing Trayveon Williams and Khalil Herbert to sign with the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts, respectively. Chris Evans also still remains unsigned after ending the year with the Bengals.
Cincinnati also signed Samaje Perine in free agency, who previously played for the team before his stint with the Kansas City Chiefs. They also took Texas Tech running back Tahj Brooks in the sixth round (No. 193 overall) in this year’s draft.
With all of these changes, the Bengals may be willing to part with a veteran back before the 2025 season starts. In fact, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox identified Zack Moss as the best player left on Cincinnati’s roster who could be cut this offseason.
Moss, 27, spent four seasons (2016-19) at Utah, earning All-Pac-12 honors twice and Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year honors once before the Buffalo Bills took him in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft.
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While Moss was a solid contributor in Buffalo, rushing for 917 yards and eight touchdowns on 4.1 yards per attempt in 31 games, he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts midway through his third professional season.
In 22 games with the Colts to finish out his rookie contract, Moss rushed for 1,159 yards and six touchdowns on 4.5 yards per carry and caught 31 passes for 204 yards and two more touchdowns.
Moss inked a two-year deal with the Bengals last offseason, but he appeared in just eight games in 2024 due to a neck injury. He finished the year with 242 yards and two touchdowns on an uninspiring 3.3 yards per rush.
Cincinnati and Moss agreed to a restructured contract earlier this offseason, but the Bengals could still save $1.24 million by releasing him. With Perine back in the fold, they could continue with Brown and Perine as the top two backs and allow Brooks, Kendall Milton, Gary Brightwell and undrafted rookie Quali Conley to fight for the last spot or two.
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