Surprise Bengals roster cut finds a new home with a familiar coach waiting for him
Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver and return specialist Charlie Jones lost a close battle to stay on the only roster he’s known. He’s found a new home with a familiar face set to coach him again.
Former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver and return specialist Charlie Jones lost a close battle to stay on the only roster he’s known since being selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He didn’t have to wait long to find a new team.
Jones officially signed with the New York Giants practice squad Tuesday. He’s now one of four WRs on the club’s practice squad, joining Braxton Berrios, Dalen Cambre, and Jalin Hyatt.
It’s a crowded group on the 17-man practice squad which includes International Pathway Player Jarrod Gray and Josh Tupou, another former Bengal. There’s a couple reasons why Jones may’ve ended up in the Big Apple, and one revolves around one of his former coach.
Charlie Jones joins forces with former Bengals OC Brian Callahan
Jones was drafted by the Bengals in 2023, which was the last draft former offensive coordinator Brian Callahan was on staff.
Callahan spent a year coaching Jones before he was hired as the Tennessee Titans head coach in 2024. Hewas relieved of his duties in Nashville during last season. The Giants hired him to John Harbaugh’s first coaching staff as their passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach this offseason.
It makes sense for Jones to have been a practice squad target considering his former OC now has a key role in the offensive coaching staff. New York only has five wideouts on its active roster at the moment, so he could also be called upon soon to play.
Jones could become Giants’ new punt returner
Cincinnati waiving Jones was a bit surprising considering how productive he was at returning kickoffs and punts. He has a career 27.3 yards per kickoff return average on 47 attempts and two touchdowns. He also has a punt return touchdown and a 9.2 yards per return average on 50 attempts.
The Giants could use that production right about now.
Calvin Austin III, who returned two punts for 29 yards in the preseason, is on the Reserve/Injured list to start the year. Berrios also returned a few punts. Deonte Banks handled their kickoff returns in the second half of last season and was quite impressive in the role.
Jones can handle punts if given the chance.
NFL practice squad rules state a player can be elevated up to three times to the active roster. Jones would have to be signed to the team in order to become the full-time punt returner.
We’ll see if he gets that chance, with Callahan watching on.
