Cincinnati Bengals sign S Russ Yeast

Cincinnati's one-year, $1.145M signing of safety Russ Yeast earns a C Contract Value Index (CVI) — a below-market floor deal that reflects precisely what the Bengals are getting: depth-chart insurance at a replacement-level price tag. At under $1.2M AAV on a single-year pact, the club has zero long-term commitment exposure and minimal cap leverage risk, which is the only reason this clears a passing grade; the offset is that Yeast lands in a role unlikely to meaningfully impact Cincinnati's competitive window, especially with the team sitting at 6-11 and facing an extended offseason to retool. The salary structure itself is pure short-term flexibility — a prove-it deal with no guaranteed money wrapped in, standard for low-tier secondary depth in the NFL. From a value standpoint, the Bengals are paying market rate for a rotational safety, not a starter, meaning the CVI reflects fair compensation for the scarcity level and snap count expected; the risk is minimal because the downside is capped at just over $1M, but the upside is equally muted. This is the kind of transaction that neither helps nor hurts a rebuilding roster — it's placeholder-level roster construction that allows the front office to focus cap resources elsewhere while maintaining depth continuity during the offseason phase.