The Cincinnati Bengals had one of the best defenses in the NFL last season and were ranked second in the league in terms of points allowed. Cincinnati's front office has some major decisions to make this offseason as to who they will look to resign and who they are willing to let go. The Bengals have 15 players schedule to become free agents this offseason, but they plan to make a "major push to retain" linebacker Vincent Rey, according to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson.
Rey has led the Bengals in tackles for two consecutive seasons and recorded 98 tackles, a sack and an interception during the 2015 season. Rey's potential contract reportedly could be similar to Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga's three-year $15 million contract with $4.5 million guaranteed.
Rey has been a versatile playmaker on the defensive side of the ball for the Bengals, and he has lined up as both an inside and an outside linebacker for the Bengals and has been effective on special teams. The 28-year-old linebacker will likely garner plenty of interest on the free agent market and could draw interest from teams like the Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins, according to Wilson.
The Bengals are also expected to make a push to keep safety Reggie Nelson this offseason as well, but they will still have major decisions to make regarding cornerbacks Leon Hall and Adam Jones and safety George Iloka.
Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict's three game suspension was upheld after an appeal, and Rey will look to fill the hole on Cincinnati's defense in the first three games of the 2016 regular season. The Bengals will look to sign Rey at the right price this offseason, and they know that his versatility, instincts and ability to cover the whole field is something they don't want to lose.
