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The Bengals are known for sitting younger players in favor of their rookie counterparts. In 2014 we watched Jeremy Hill start the season on the bench, and it took Giovani Bernard getting injured to finally give him a shot at starting. Cornerbacks Darqueze Dennard and Dre Kirkpatrick have received similar treatment, as have defensive ends Margus Hunt and Will Clarke and linebackers Marquise Flowers and Jayson DiManche.
While the Bengals focus on preparing their roster of the future, in the process they have created one of the oldest teams in the NFL, with more 30+ players than any team other than the Bears.
Number of 30+ year old players, per NFL team: pic.twitter.com/LrXyGzkqfM
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) April 6, 2015
The Bengals' current roster boasts 12 players aged 30 or older, two of whom (Jason Campbell and Alex Smith) are not yet resigned with the team for 2015. But, even if the backup quarterback and tight end don't return to the team in 2015, two 29-year-olds, Kevin Huber and Pat Sims, will turn 30 prior to or during the 2015 season.
The average age on the Bengals is actually 26, and, old isn't necessarily bad. Many of 2014's least successful teams including the Buccaneers, Jaguars and Falcons have the youngest rosters in the league. And, five teams (including the Bengals) who made the playoffs in 2014 are featured as the top 10 oldest teams.
Andrew Whitworth (33), Reggie Nelson (31), Adam Jones (31), Wallace Gilberry (30), Leon Hall (30) and Eric Winston (31) are some of the Bengals' oldest members who are set to hit free agency in 2016, so we may see a younger team in the coming years.