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The Cincinnati Bengals have officially re-signed Trey Hopkins to a one-year contract.
Hopkins, a fourth-year player in 2019, was issued a tender this offseason that made him a restricted free agent (RFA) when free agency opened. The Bengals issued Hopkins a second-round tender, all but assuring no other team would attempt to pry him from the Bengals.
A restricted free agent has the right to negotiate with other teams, and an their 2018 club has the right to retain him by matching any offer he signs from another team. But because Cincinnati extended a second-round tender to Hopkins, if he signed an offer from another team and the Bengals choose to not match that offer, the other team would have to compensate the Bengals with their 2019 second-round draft selection.
Hopkins started at guard and center for the Bengals in 2019. He’s also capable of playing offensive tackle, so even if he doesn’t start next season, he’s a valuable backup that the Bengals were smart to re-sign this offseason.
Hopkins joins Bobby Hart as starting linemen to re-sign with the Bengals this offseason.