Former Bengals Center Kyle Cook Announces Retirement

Following his release from the Cincinnati Bengals, center Kyle Cook has decided to hang up his cleats. This comes as somewhat of a surprise considering Cook was the best free agent center available on the market, per the perspective of ESPN Insider Adam Caplan.

Former #Bengals C Kyle Cook is retiring, I'm told. He was clearly the best available center left in free agency.

— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) August 21, 2014

Cook signed onto the team's practice squad in 2007 and eventually earned a spot on the 53-man roster in '08. Eventually he worked his way into the starting lineup the next year. In 2009, he was the starting center for all 16 games for a Bengals offense ranked in the top 10 in rushing and in 2013, started every game when the total offense finished in the top 10 in the NFL.

With Cook released and now retired, the Bengals have unofficially decided to name rookie center and fourth-round pick Russell Bodine, who is labeled as a potential top-10 impact rookie by Football Outsiders, the team's starting center.

Cook has reportedly transitioned into his post-football life by becoming a part-owner in a winery in Traverse City in his home state of Michigan.