Bengals Player Profile: Liam Anderson’s path to his first NFL roster is the same as it’s always been

Liam Anderson is one of several linebackers looking to make the Cincinnati Bengals’ roster by way of special teams.

John Sheeran Cincinnati Bengals News Writer
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Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Liam Anderson
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Liam Anderson (45) hits a pad during a practice session at the Kettering Health Practice Fields in Cincinnati on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. © Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

We’re 66 days away from the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. We’re going to cover every single player the time that game starts, every player on the Bengals’ 90-man roster will have an individual profile. Check out previous player profiles here.

The next name on the countdown has not seen the field in nearly two years, but is entering his first full offseason in Cincinnati.

Liam Anderson Player Profile

Age: 26
Year: 1st
Position: Linebacker
College: Holy Cross
Jersey Number: 45

Liam Anderson was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts following the 2023 NFL Draft. He was cut by Indianapolis and signed to its practice squad as a rookie. The Colts elevated him for one game to play special teams. He stayed on the practice squad the following season and was elevated once and signed to the active roster for two weeks. He only played special teams during those three games he was active. Indy kept him around for most of the 2025 offseason before waiving him with an injury settlement leading up to final cuts.

The Bengals signed Anderson to their practice squad halfway through the 2025 regular season and kept him there for the duration of the year.

Contract details

Anderson signed a futures deal with Cincy at the start of the offseason. His contract is for one-year, $1,005,000. His base salary, cash figure, and salary cap hit for 2026 is the same $1,005,000 amount.

Roster outlook

Anderson is one of several linebackers looking to make the Bengals’ roster by way of special teams. He’s never taken a regular season snap on defense, so proving his worth on coverage units is his best bet.

Oren Burks, Joe Giles-Harris, and Shaka Heyward are the incumbent backups at the position behind starters Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. Anderson would likely be No. 6 if the group has that many on the initial 53, but five is a more probably number.

Roster odds: 30%