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The Cincinnati Bengals have re-signed defensive back Brandon Wilson to a one-year contract, the team announced Sunday. Wilson signed the restricted free agent tender the Bengals extended to him on March 16.
Wilson, a fourth-year player in 2020, originally was a Bengals sixth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He has played in 36 career games (two starts), but his real breakout came in 2019 via special teams. He led the NFL with 31.3-yard kickoff return average on 20 returns, including a 92-yarder for a touchdown in Game 6 vs. the Baltimore Ravens. He also recorded 18 tackles and two passes defensed on defense in 2019, as well as six tackles on special teams.
While he’s not a starter, Wilson is valuable backup on defense who did see 183 snaps last year, and his impact on special teams make him someone the Bengals need to work out a long-term deal for, ideally before next season starts.