{"id":850956,"date":"2026-04-03T07:10:39","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T07:10:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/850956\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T07:10:39","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T07:10:39","slug":"latest-bengals-report-confirms-suspicion-on-why-jasir-taylor-is-the-newest-cornerback-in-cincinnati","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/850956\/","title":{"rendered":"Latest Bengals report confirms suspicion on why Ja\u2019Sir Taylor is the newest cornerback in Cincinnati"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Cincinnati Bengals signing cornerback Ja\u2019Sir Taylor to a one-year contract looks like more than just a depth move according to a recent report from WLWT\u2019s Charlie Clifford.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Aug
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAug 16, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Ja\u2019Sir Taylor (36) against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u00a9 Kirby Lee-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Cincinnati Bengals have a new cornerback on their roster in Ja\u2019Sir Taylor. The former sixth-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers signed a one-year contract Thursday.<\/p>\n

It was not the only contract he could\u2019ve signed this offseason.<\/p>\n

Per WLWT\u2019s Charlie Clifford, Taylor turned down another club\u2019s offer, one that included guaranteed money, to compete for a starting gig at slot cornerback in Cincinnati. <\/p>\n

Per source, Ja’Sir Taylor passed up an offer that included guaranteed money for the chance to join the Bengals nickel competition.<\/p>\n

Jalen Davis, Taylor, and Bralyn Lux \u2014 who quietly impressed on PS in ’25 \u2014 are options. Plus Kyle Dugger comes aboard:https:\/\/t.co\/wCX5VyqlRe<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) April 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Cincinnati and guaranteed money don\u2019t normally mesh, but with one-year deals, it typically is limited to a signing bonus. <\/p>\n

Clifford\u2019s report implies Taylor\u2019s contract does not include a signing bonus, and yet, as suspected<\/a>, the Bengals are giving him a chance at real playing time. <\/p>\n

Ja\u2019Sir Taylor is hoping to be more than a backup in Cincinnati<\/p>\n

Nickelback is the one starting position on the Bengals\u2019 defense that isn\u2019t truly locked in at the moment. The front four is set, as are the two safety spots, outside cornerback spots, and linebacker spots.<\/p>\n

Jalen Davis, who signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract extension<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Kyle Dugger could also be in the mix<\/p>\n

The Bengals signed Kyle Dugger mere hours after Taylor<\/a>. 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. <\/p>\n

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\u2019t 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. <\/p>\n

Taylor and Dugger are coming to Cincinnati to play, there\u2019s little doubt about that. Whenever the Bengals can attract veterans without guaranteeing any money, it\u2019s a major win in their book. <\/p>\n

Taylor specifically will be looking for a major win of his own in the coming months against Davis and Co. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\"Cincinnati\t\t<\/p>\n

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