The Cincinnati Bengals made major moves to address their defense this offseason. After allowing the third-most points in the NFL last season, primarily because they had the league’s worst rushing defense, the Bengals dramatically improved their defensive line.
They did so by adding Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen in free agency, and making a blockbuster trade for three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence. However, Cincinnati’s issues were not solely due to its run defense. The Bengals defense also struggled to stop opposing passing attacks, but while they did add players like Bryan Cook, Kyle Dugger and third-round cornerback Tacario Davis, some suggest the team could still use reinforcements.
One of those potential additions is recently released former Colts cornerback Kenny Moore.
Cincinnati Bengals Pushed to Sign Kenny Moore
Regarding the pros of the Cincinnati Bengals signing free agent cornerback Kenny Moore, Bengals on SI’s Jay Morrison wrote:
“The Bengals are squeezed as tight to the salary cap as they have ever been, but finding a way to give Moore a one-year deal would make sense on several levels.
First is the obvious insurance he would bring.
Second would be the value he would add in training camp alone. Given what he would have earned and what he’s about to make, Moore is likely to bring a prove-it attitude to whatever team signs him.
It not only would bring spirited competition to Chuck Burks cornerback room, it will give receivers such as Andrei Iosivas and rookie Colbie Young a chance to go against a savvy, veteran cornerback every day in camp.
Moore fell off some in 2025 after not meshing with former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s scheme in Indianapolis, but he still was playing a solid level in 2023 and 2024.”
Kenny Moore’s Performance
As Morrison mentioned, Moore’s production declined during the 2025 season which led to the Indianapolis Colts moving on from the former Pro Bowl cornerback. He was set to carry a $9.5 million cap hit, which the Colts believed the cornerback was worth.
Even in a declining season, Moore still graded out as an above-average cornerback, earning a 66.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked him as the 39th best cornerback during the 2025 season. Moore’s grade was particularly boosted by his strong run defense, as he was ranked as the fifth-best cornerback against the run last season. For a team like the Bengals that has made an emphasis in improving their run defense, Moore could provide a significant boost.
Cincinnati could perhaps opt to not pursue Moore as the team already re-signed cornerback Jalen Davis earlier this offseason. The veteran cornerback became a top contributor on Cincinnati’s defense late in the season, as he played the majority of the team’s defensive snaps in six of the final seven games. In those final seven games, Cincinnati’s defense improved as a whole. During the last seven weeks of the season, in which Davis played a huge role, the Bengals allowed 18 points per game. Had that been the case the entire season, Cincinnati would have finished as the fourth-best defense in the NFL.
Bengals Pushed to Sign Former Colts Pro Bowl Defender