The Cincinnati Bengals had a challenging offseason as far as their defensive ends (EDGEs) go. There, of course, is Trey Hendrickson finally getting a pay raise as the regular season approaches, and first-round pick Shemar Stewart also refused to practice due to a dispute with his contract until pretty much right before the first preseason game.
That has left plenty of opportunities for other defensive ends on the roster to leave an impression. One who might have done just that is Isaiah Thomas after rapping up a wonderful preseason:
The real question is whether that will be enough to actually make the Bengals’ initial roster. Many forget how much of a moving piece that roster becomes after the big cut-downs before the regular season.
You have players who will be put into the injured reserve, making room for players who were initially cut. You have the practice squad, which has become far easier to have players on, even after restrictions were loosened post-COVID.
Thomas has obviously shown he can play. The thing is, most of these reps aren’t with or against starters, which isn’t something he can control. The other thing he can’t control is the numbers game. Even if we don’t include Hendrickson right now with everything going on, he still faces an uphill battle against some seasoned players and high picks.
Joseph Ossai and Cam Sample re-signed this offseason on one-year deals. Stewart and Myles Murphy are first-round picks from recent seasons. Cedric Johnson was a sixth-round selection last season and looked okay when called on.
Thomas has surely beaten out Raymond Johnson III for any consideration, but it comes down to how many defensive ends this team will keep on the roster
There is no doubt that Thomas has done his part to earn an opportunity in the NFL. He did what every player living on the roster bubble would love to do: Put some great plays on film. Now, it is a matter of whether that gets him a chance in Cincinnati or with one of the other 31 teams.
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