Bengals' AFC North Rival Signs All-Pro Cornerback

Bengals’ AFC North Rival Signs All-Pro Cornerback originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Cincinnati Bengals hope to somehow crawl back into contention in the AFC North next season after a disastrous 9-8 season that saw little go right on defense.

But that task may have just gotten a bit more difficult, as the rival Baltimore Ravens may have just gotten better.

On Wednesday, the Ravens announced the signing of free-agent All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander, who was recently waived by the Green Bay Packers as a salary cap casualty.

On Tuesday, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson pleaded with GM Eric DeCosta to please go sign his former college teammate with the Louisville Cardinals. He said it half-jokingly (kind of) to reporters.

Just one day later, the Ravens made a reunion a reality with a one-year, $6 million deal.

Baltimore ran away with the AFC North last season after the Pittsburgh Steelers ended the year with a stunning collapse with a five-game losing streak that included a wild-card loss to the Ravens.

Baltimore finished at 12-5 while the Steelers ended 10-7 with the Bengals at 9-8 and out of the AFC playoffs. The Cleveland Browns were a distant fourth at 3-14.

The Bengals’ offseason has been plagued by negative press for holdouts of Trey Hendrickson and first-round draft pick Shemar Stewart with contract disputes.

The team replaced former defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo with Al Golden, who enters his first season at the helm with an incredible amount of uncertainty.

Hendrickson is entering the final year of his deal and wants a new contract as he’s coming off a career season with 17.5 sacks, 49 total tackles with 33 solo and 19 for loss. All career highs.

Stewart has yet to sign his rookie deal, as he disputes language in his contract that fails to give him injury protection, among other things.

While the Bengals are seemingly losing the offseason, the Ravens have just gotten better.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.

Bengals’ AFC North Rival Signs All-Pro Cornerback

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