The Cincinnati Bengals signing cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor to a one-year contract looks like more than just a depth move according to a recent report from WLWT’s Charlie Clifford.
Aug 16, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor (36) against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Cincinnati Bengals have a new cornerback on their roster in Ja’Sir Taylor. The former sixth-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers signed a one-year contract Thursday.
It was not the only contract he could’ve signed this offseason.
Per WLWT’s Charlie Clifford, Taylor turned down another club’s offer, one that included guaranteed money, to compete for a starting gig at slot cornerback in Cincinnati.
Per source, Ja’Sir Taylor passed up an offer that included guaranteed money for the chance to join the Bengals nickel competition.
Jalen Davis, Taylor, and Bralyn Lux — who quietly impressed on PS in ’25 — are options. Plus Kyle Dugger comes aboard:https://t.co/wCX5VyqlRe
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) April 2, 2026
Cincinnati and guaranteed money don’t normally mesh, but with one-year deals, it typically is limited to a signing bonus.
Clifford’s report implies Taylor’s contract does not include a signing bonus, and yet, as suspected, the Bengals are giving him a chance at real playing time.
Ja’Sir Taylor is hoping to be more than a backup in Cincinnati
Nickelback is the one starting position on the Bengals’ defense that isn’t truly locked in at the moment. The front four is set, as are the two safety spots, outside cornerback spots, and linebacker spots.
Jalen Davis, who signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract extension a couple weeks after his 30th birthday in February, was all Cincy had at the position entering free agency. Josh Newton and Dax Hill have played there before, but the former is very much on the roster bubble, and the latter has found a home on the outside entering a contract year.
Taylor is experienced in the slot. 84% of his snaps from 2023-24, his two most active years in the league, came from the position with the Chargers.
In a presumed competition with Davis, Taylor has the best shot at ousting him over anyone else. Brayln Lux, who spent all of last year on the practice squad, may also be in the mix.
Kyle Dugger could also be in the mix
The Bengals signed Kyle Dugger mere hours after Taylor. The 30-year old has been a starter every year of his career, and averaged 141 slot snaps a year during his first five seasons with the New England Patriots. That usage dropped to 67 snaps last year as he split the year between the Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dugger is also a vastly different body type at 6-2, 222 pounds compared to the 5-10, 185-pound Taylor, and could offer different qualities Davis and Taylor don’t have in certain packages. Matching up against tight ends while playing in the box, ala Tre Flowers from the 2021 Super Bowl Bengals, could be one of those roles.
Taylor and Dugger are coming to Cincinnati to play, there’s little doubt about that. Whenever the Bengals can attract veterans without guaranteeing any money, it’s a major win in their book.
Taylor specifically will be looking for a major win of his own in the coming months against Davis and Co.
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