The Cincinnati Bengals are parting ways with a key veteran player on their defense.

This past Friday, the Bengals confirmed the release of defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins.

At 30 years old, Rankins joined Cincinnati last offseason on a two-year contract. During the 2024 season, he made seven starts, accumulating 18 tackles and one sack.

He concluded the season on the non-football illness reserve list.

With Rankins’ departure, the Bengals are set to save $9.62 million in salary cap space, though they will incur $2 million in dead money.

A first-round draft pick by the Saints in 2016, Rankins has enjoyed a productive career, tallying 30.5 sacks, 44 tackles for loss, and 69 quarterback hits over 116 games.