Bengals Player Profile: Eric Gentry looks like no linebacker Cincinnati has ever had
It really feels like every linebacker can make the Cincinnati Bengals’ roster. Eric Gentry’s unique frame may be intriguing enough to keep him in the building in some capacity for at least a full year.
We’re 77 days (11 weeks!) away from the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. We’ll have covered the entirety of the Bengals’ 90-man roster by the time that happens. Check out previous player profiles here.
Up next is one of the more interesting athletes on the entire roster.
Eric Gentry Player Profile
Age: 23
Year: Rookie
Position: Linebacker
College: USC
Jersey Number: 58
Eric Gentry was signed as a UDFA by the Bengals following the 2026 NFL Draft. Gentry spent five years in college. He spent his freshman year at Arizona State before transferring to Southern Cal in 2022. The Trojans immediately put him to work as a starter in his first year, but had him come off the bench in 2023. He missed most of 2024 due to concussion concerns, but was back in full action in 2025. He produced career-highs in tackles (76), tackles for loss (7), forced fumbles (5), and sacks (3).
Gentry was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine but did not workout until his pro day. The combine confirmed his abnormal size for his position. He’s 6-7 and 221 pounds. Much taller than a traditional LB, and also much leaner as well.
Contract details
Gentry signed a three-year, $3,115,000 deal with the Bengals as he was classified as a college free agent. His base salary for 2026 is the minimum $885,000. He’s also getting $15,000 as a signing bonus. His cash figure for the year is $900,000, and his salary cap hit will be $890,000.
Roster outlook
As it is the case for fellow UDFA Jack Dingle, Gentry picked a great year to be a rookie linebacker in Cincinnati. Incredible pressure is on Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter to step up their games as starters, and depth behind them is very minimal.
Gentry will compete against Dingle and incumbent reserves Liam Anderson, Joe Giles-Harris, and Shaka Heyward to fall behind the starters and Burks. It really feels like everybody’s in the race, and Gentry’s unique frame may be intriguing enough to keep him in the building in some capacity for at least a full year.
Roster odds: 30%