Bengals Exercise Fifth-Year Option on Dax Hill

The Cincinnati Bengals have exercised the fifth-year option on Dax Hill, their 2022 first-round pick, extending his contract through the 2026 season. Hill, originally drafted as a safety to replace Jessie Bates, struggled in that role but showed promise after being moved to cornerback before suffering an ACL tear in Week 5 of last season. Despite his injury and some inconsistency in the secondary, the Bengals view Hill as a player with significant upside and are committed to giving him more time to develop, especially as the team rebuilds its defense with a new coordinator. The decision is notable given the team's recent defensive challenges and the relatively low cost of Hill's fifth-year option compared to other first-round picks. Hill will compete for a starting role alongside DJ Turner II and Cam Taylor-Britt, as the Bengals aim for substantial improvement in their secondary. The move signals confidence in Hill's potential to rebound from injury and become a key piece of Cincinnati's defense.