Bengals News (4/8): One last thank you

The Bengals continue to revamp their 2021 roster after the release of running back Giovani Bernard
Three weeks after moving on from their most tenured player on defense, the Bengals continued to revamp their roster Wednesday when they released their most tenured offensive player in running back Giovani Bernard.

Giovani Bernard began and ended his Bengals career with a thank you note
"This isn't a sad or sorry moment," said Bernard, hours after he was released. "I had my eight years there and I'm thankful to everyone there. The whole entire city, the whole entire front office. The coaches that are still there. The coaches that have been there. Everyone knows it's a business. It happens to everyone. I'm grateful and I'm excited about the next opportunity."

Should the Bengals go for a Joe Burrow-Ja'Marr Chase reunion?
Former Tigers wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been linked as potential target for Cincinnati with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin watched Chase put up remarkable numbers at LSU’s Pro Day and stoke further excitement about the possibility of a reunion with Burrow.

Cincinnati Bengals Get Shot at Ja'Marr Chase, Penei Sewell and Kyle Pitts in Latest Mock Draft
The Bengals get their shot at all three players in Peter Schrager's latest mock draft. The NFL Network insider has four quarterbacks going off the board with the first four picks. Cincinnati decides to reunite Joe Burrow with Chase at No. 5.

Bengals show another veteran the door, release RB Bernard
Bernard, a fan favorite who had a year left on a two-year contract that would have paid him $4.1 million in 2021, played his entire eight-year NFL career in Cincinnati and established himself as a reliable blocking back and receiver. The 29-year-old Bernard became a starter for the last 10 games of 2020 after Joe Mixon suffered a foot injury.

Around the league

2021 NFL Draft: Seven potential Day 1 trades that make sense
The 49ers got the ball rolling last month, sending the No. 12 overall pick, two future first-round choices and a third-round selection in 2022 to the Dolphins for the No. 3 overall pick, where they intend to find their future quarterback. Miami then moved back up to the sixth overall spot, sending its 2022 first-rounder to Philadelphia and swapping mid-round picks this year. That ensures the Dolphins will be able to grab a top-tier prospect (probably LSU product Ja'Marr Chase) and still hold on to two future selections.

Peter Schrager 2021 NFL mock draft 1.0: Pats trade up for Justin Fields, Cardinals go get Kyle Pitts
Just a few weeks away from the 2021 NFL Draft, it's time to roll out my first mock of the year. Trades have already significantly impacted Round 1 ... and I'm supplying two more juicy swaps below. Plus, a sixth quarterback sneaks into the first 32 selections.

Veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer to visit with Jets
The 35-year-old journeyman spent last season with New England, starting one game behind Cam Newton. After going undrafted out of Michigan State in 2009, Hoyer began his career in a QB room with Tom Brady for three seasons before beginning his nomadic journey around the NFL, which included stops in Arizona, Cleveland, Houston, Chicago, San Francisco, Indianapolis, and multiple returns to New England in between.

Mac Jones among first group of prospects to accept 2021 NFL Draft invitations
A year after the NFL draft went virtual due to COVID-19, one of its most exciting in-person traditions will return this year as the NFL announced on Wednesday the first group of prospects who have accepted invitations to the 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland, Ohio.