Bengals Player Profile: Jacob Bayer looking to be more than the forgotten center on the roster
Jacob Bayer is a long shot to make the roster just like he was for the Bills last year. He’ll at least have some chances for snaps during training camp and the preseason.
We’re 90 days away from the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. Just two days later, we’ll learn what Cincinnati’s initial 53-man roster looks like entering the 2026 regular season.
Welcome back to Bengals Roster Breakdown, where we go over every member of the Bengals’ 90-man roster. Our first player was the only backup center on the roster in the days leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft.
Jacob Bayer Player Profile
Age: 23
Year: 1
Position: Center
College: Arkansas State
Jersey Number: 69
Jacob Bayer was originally an undrafted free agent signing of the Buffalo Bills following the 2025 NFL Draft. He started his college football career at Lamar University. He started as a true freshman and played 22 games for the Cardinals before transferring to Arkansas State. He started immediately for the Red Wolves in 2023, and only missed one game in 2024 after he tore his ACL in spring practices. He was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy.
Bayer played in three preseason games for Buffalo before being waived during final cuts last year. He signed with the Bengals’ practice squad in the middle of the season after Matt Lee went on the Reserve/Injured list. He stayed on the practice squad for the duration of the season.
Contract details
Bayer signed a futures deal to remain with Cincinnati during the 2026 offseason. His contract, a one-year, $885,000 deal, is the minimum for a player with his level of experience. His cash figure and cap hit are both the $885,000 amount.
Roster outlook
When the Bengals waived Lee in April, Bayer was all who remained behind starting C Ted Karras. That changed when Connor Lew was drafted in the fourth round of the 2026 draft. Brian Parker II, the club’s sixth-round pick, was also a high school center and will get reps at the position in Cincy as well.
Bayer is a long shot to make the roster just like he was for the Bills last year. At least with Lew still recovering from his torn ACL, he’ll have some chances for snaps during training camp and the preseason.
Roster odds: 10%