Bengals re-sign Amani Bledsoe

The Bengals have re-signed free agent defensive end Amani Bledsoe. Per the team’s website, Bledsoe’s contract is for one year.

Bledsoe, a second-year player out of Oklahoma, originally was a college free agent signee of the Tennessee Titans in 2019. After spending his rookie season on the Titans’ practice squad, Bledsoe became available and joined the Bengals as a free agent during training camp last year.

As a backup, Bledsoe played in 14 games (four starts) for the Bengals in 2020. He registered six solo tackles and two passes defensed.

Bledsoe became an exclusive rights free agent this offseason and was not initially brought back by Cincinnati. Now, two weeks after the 2021 league year began, Cincinnati re-signed him to what is likely a veteran minimum deal.

The Bengals are interested in bolstering their defensive line this offseason. They signed Trey Hendrickson and Larry Ogunjobi to replace Carl Lawson and Geno Atkins, and they showed interest in both Ryan Kerrigan and Jarran Reed. Bledsoe’s retention at least gives them a full defensive line going into the NFL draft in April.