Mitchell Tinsley Joins Bengals on Reserve/Future Contract
Wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley has officially signed a reserve/future contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, marking a fresh start with a new team. After spending the first two years of his NFL career with the Washington Commanders, Tinsley will now have an opportunity to prove himself in Cincinnati and potentially earn a spot on the active roster.
Tinsley, an undrafted free agent out of Western Kentucky, first joined Washington in 2023 and spent time on both the active roster and practice squad. While he showed promise during training camp and preseason action, he saw very limited playing time in regular-season games. Entering the 2025 season, he has logged just three offensive snaps in the NFL.
With this move to the Bengals, Tinsley gets a fresh chance to develop under head coach Zac Taylor’s staff. Cincinnati has a competitive wide receiver room, featuring star players like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but the team is always looking for depth and potential contributors. Tinsley will need to impress throughout the offseason and training camp if he hopes to carve out a role.
Reserve/future contracts are typically given to players who were not on an active roster at the end of the previous season, allowing them to be part of the team’s offseason program. This deal ensures that Tinsley will be with the Bengals heading into the 2025 campaign, giving him a full offseason to prove himself and earn a potential roster spot.
While Tinsley has yet to make a significant impact in the NFL, his collegiate success and physical tools still make him an intriguing prospect. At Western Kentucky, he was known for his strong hands, route-running ability, and knack for making contested catches. If he can translate those skills to the pro level, he could work his way into a rotational role or contribute on special teams.
For the Bengals, signing Tinsley represents a low-risk move that adds depth to their receiver group. With a strong showing in offseason workouts and preseason action, he could work his way onto the team’s radar as a potential depth piece. Now, his focus will be on making the most of this opportunity and proving he belongs in Cincinnati’s plans for the future.
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