Bengals Player Profile: Jack Dingle can keep making a difference in the middle of a Cincinnati defense
Jack Dingle started three years for the University of Cincinnati at middle linebacker. Now he’s joining the local team at the perfect time.
We’re 78 days away from the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. Every single player on the Bengals’ 90-man roster will have a player profile by then. Check out previous player profiles here.
Next up on the countdown is a rookie undrafted free agent who’s intimately familiar with Cincinnati.
Jack Dingle Player Profile
Age: 23
Year: Rookie
Position: Linebacker
College: Cincinnati
Jersey Number: 59
Jack Dingle was signed as a UDFA by the Bengals following the 2026 NFL Draft. Dingle spent five years in college, all at the University of Cincinnati. Cincy redshirted him in 2021, the year the Bearcats made it to the College Football Playoff. He was brought off the bench for all of 2022. A new defense under new head coach Scott Satterfield made him a starter in 2023.
Dingle started three years for the Bearcats at middle linebacker, playing alongside future second-round pick Jake Golday for a couple years as well. He worked out in front of the Bengals at UC’s pro day, and was also an invitee to the team’s local pro day right before the draft.
Contract details
Dingle 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
It’s not often Cincinnati takes on players fresh off being Bearcats, but Dingle is an ideal addition to the Bengals’ roster. He’s experienced, has preferred size, and is arriving at a great time.
The Bengals need more answers at LB, especially if Demetrius Knight Jr. and/or Barrett Carter don’t take notable leaps forward in their second years. Dingle isn’t gunning for a starting gig, but he can easily find himself on the bottom of the depth chart as a reserve should he make it through training camp healthy.
Cincinnati’s LB room is wide open for Dingle to secure his spot. He’ll compete with the likes of Shaka Heyward, Joe Giles-Harris, and fellow undrafted rookie Eric Gentry for a chance to make the position a little bit better this year.
Roster odds: 30%