Bengals release CB Trae Waynes

The Cincinnati Bengals have made the release of cornerback Trae Waynes official.

The long-anticipated move happened Monday and saves the team roughly $10 million against this season’s cap by shedding the last year of his contract.

Waynes signed a three-year deal worth $42 million in March of 2020 and suffered a season-ending injury at camp. After missing all of 2020, injuries derailed his 2021, too, where he appeared in just five games.

Even if names like Eli Apple hadn’t performed well on the boundary with Waynes out, the attendance sheet and cash savings made this the most obvious move of the offseason for the Bengals.

A corner to run opposite Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton was a big need for the team this offseason regardless, as is depth at the position. The Bengals still figure to address it in free agency and the draft, even after re-signing Apple in free agency.