Bengаlѕ cаp ѕpаce updаted outlook аfter mаjor roѕter move

The Cincinnati Bengals put through one of their big expected cap-savings cuts to finish out the week, letting defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins go. 

Cutting Rankins was one of three major projected releases for the Bengals this offseason and saves the team roughly $9.5 million against the cap.

Adding that to the rumored 2025 salary cap that is much bigger than expected, and the Bengals have roughly $62 million in cap space at this very moment.

But there are more interesting things to add here.

The timing of the release feels early, at least compared to normal Bengals operating procedure. Getting the contract off the books now provides more wiggle room and a clearer vision for what’s to come with the likes of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson.

Sam Hubbard ($9.6 million) and Alex Cappa ($8 million) are the other two expected cap cuts that could happen at any point, which would put the Bengals well into the top five in terms of teams with the most cap space.