Cincinnati Bengals

Former Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss is signing a two-year, $8 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday that includes a $4.525 million payout in the first year of the deal in 2024, according to a source. Right after the Bengals announced the signing of Moss, they released former starting RB Joe Mixon, paving the way for Moss to serve as the team's primary RB in 2024. The 26-year-old former third-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2020 out of Utah, Moss had his best season as a professional in 2023 for the Indianapolis Colts while filling in for an injured Jonathan Taylor. Moss had career-highs in carries (183), rushing yards (794), rushing touchdowns (five) and receptions (27) in 14 games played (eight starts). Chase Brown should steal touches in Cincy's backfield, but as things stand now, Moss figures to be a high-end RB2 in a more explosive offense with the Bengals.

The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed tight end Drew Sample to a three-year, $10.5 million contract extension on Monday, according to a source. Sample will receive $3.5 million in 2024. In his fifth year with the Bengals in 2023, Sample had 22 catches on 27 targets for 163 yards and a career-high two touchdowns in 17 games (10 starts). Tanner Hudson, Mitchell Wilcox and Irv Smith Jr. are all free agents, but one or more of them could be retained or the Bengals could add competition at the position through the NFL draft. The 27-year-old Sample has accumulated just 80 receptions (103 targets) for 621 yards and three touchdowns in his five years in the NFL with Cincy, so it would be unrealistic to expect the Bengals to utilize him as their unquestioned No. 1 pass-catching TE in 2024.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is requesting a trade, according to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team. The organization used the franchise tag on Higgins this offseason and reportedly wants to keep him around, but it appears Higgins is ready to move on. The 2020 second-round pick has racked up 257 receptions for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns through his first 58 NFL games. He posted at least 1,000 receiving yards in 2021 and 2022, but he was limited to just 656 yards in 12 games last season. With Ja'Marr Chase on the roster, Higgins is stuck in the WR2 role, meaning he's unlikely to post monster seasons that will earn him a high-figure contract. He could operate as a team's top receiver if he lands in an ideal spot, but we'll see if the organization is willing to move him before the start of the 2024 campaign.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) said he expects to be cleared for contact in May. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft suffered a torn wrist ligament in his throwing hand on November 16 against the Baltimore Ravens. The injury ended his season after 10 games. After starting the season with a calf injury, Burrow threw for 2,309 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions before being sidelined. His recovery timeline puts him well on schedule to participate in all of the team's offseason activities, so this specific injury should not be a concern. However, he has now missed 13 games in four NFL seasons, so a future injury could be a risk. Either way, he is being valued as a mid or low-end QB1 in fantasy football. The team used the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, and Ja'Marr Chase is under contract, giving Burrow plenty of firepower to bounce back.

The Cincinnati Bengals announced on Thursday that quarterback Jake Browning has been issued a tender, which assures the team that they will retain his exclusive rights for the 2024 season. Browning now has the option of signing the team's tender offer or negotiating a long-term deal with the club. The 27-year-old made his NFL debut in 2023 for the Bengals and was forced into a starting role due to injuries to Joe Burrow. Browning ended up appearing in nine games (seven starts) and acquitted himself well with a league-high 70.4% completion percentage with 1,936 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He's fully expected to be Burrow's top backup for the 2024 season, but he won't be on the fantasy radar again unless Burrow misses more time due to injury.