Bengals signing former Bills linebacker Preston Brown

The Cincinnati Bengals have made another shocking move with free agency now ongoing.

After trading for Cody Glenn to help fix the offensive line, the Bengals have now signed Preston Brown to bolster the linebacker group, according to Bills reporter Ryan Talbot. Ian Rapoport has since confirmed the news and says it’s a one-year deal.

According to Mike Rodak it’s a $4 million deal with a $2 million signing bonus. There’s also a Pro Bowl incentive of $250,000.

At 6’2” and 256 pounds, Brown will be a fifth-year player in 2018 after spending the last four years in Buffalo. He entered the NFL as a third-round pick (No. 73 overall) by way of the Louisville Cardinals in 2014.

Brown reportedly wanted to return home to play for the Bengals, despite the Bills having made an offer to keep him. He was born in Cincinnati and played high school football at Cincinnati Northwest before staying close to home to play at Louisville in college.

This is a massive get for the Bengals, who desperately needed to find an upgrade at linebacker this offseason. While Vontaze Burfict is one of the best in the game, he doesn’t have nearly enough help around him. He also tends to miss several games each season for various reasons, and when he’s out, this position becomes on the biggest weaknesses on the team and a major liability.

That won’t happen now that the Bengals have Brown. In four years with the Bills the Cincinnati native has played 64 games (62 starts) and compiled 512 tackles, 3 interceptions (1 pick six), 2 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries and 1 sack.

This is also good news as Burfict can now stick to the WILL position, his best spot and not be forced to play MLB. Brown will now likely fall into that spot in Cincinnati.

This calls for a celebration and a Who Dey!