In a stunning move that has sent ripples through the NFL community, the Cincinnati Bengals have decided to part ways with veteran running back Zack Moss. This decision comes as Moss, whose 2024 season was dramatically cut short by a catastrophic neck injury, was gearing up for a potential return in 2025. The Bengals, however, have chosen to release him, signaling a significant shift in their roster strategy.
Cincinnati’s backfield has undergone a major overhaul this offseason. The team has brought back former player Samaje Perine and added fresh talent by drafting Tahj Brooks in the sixth round. These moves indicate a clear direction towards rejuvenating their running game, but they also come at a time when Moss’s career hangs in the balance. The severity of his injury, which involved breaking his neck in three places, casts a shadow over his future in the league. As reported by The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr., Moss began this year’s training camp on the active/non-football injury list, a status reflecting his ongoing recovery process.
Initially signed in 2024 under a two-year, $8 million contract, Moss was seen as a strategic addition to complement Chase Brown in Cincinnati’s backfield. His role was abruptly halted by the neck injury sustained in November, leading to a renegotiated one-year, $1.7 million deal this offseason, with $375,000 guaranteed. This new agreement hinted at a comeback, yet it appears the Bengals’ patience has waned due to his prolonged recovery.
The true extent of Moss’s injury became apparent just before a critical matchup in Week 9 last year, leading to a grueling two-month period in a neck brace. Discussions about retirement even surfaced between Moss and head coach Zac Taylor. Despite avoiding surgery and being cleared for offseason activities, concerns about his conditioning rather than his neck led to his placement on the active/NFI list.
Before his injury, Moss struggled to replicate the form he showed with the Colts, managing only 3.3 yards per carry for the Bengals. In contrast, his performance in 2023 with Indianapolis was far more impressive, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. He stepped up admirably during Jonathan Taylor’s absence, amassing 794 rushing yards and scoring five touchdowns, playing a pivotal role in the Colts’ near playoff run with Gardner Minshew at the helm.
As the dust settles on this surprising roster decision, the question remains: will another team take a gamble on Moss? His clearance from the neck injury is a positive sign, yet the gravity of his condition has undoubtedly impacted his appeal. Meanwhile, the Bengals will absorb a financial hit, incurring $1.88 million in dead money following his release. The NFL world watches closely to see where Moss’s journey will lead next.
