The NFL rumor mill has connected free agent safety Reggie Nelson to the Dolphins and Titans, but the Bengals won’t let him get away without one last pitch.
According to Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Bengals will reach out to Nelson’s representatives on Monday, the day before the free agent market opens. Reedy gives the club a “slight chance” to re-sign Nelson, but ultimately considers him more likely to hit free agency.
The 21st overall pick in the 2007 draft, Nelson was an early-career bust in Jacksonville, but has rehabbed his market value some over the past two seasons in Cincinnati. The 28-year-old intercepted four passes and caused two fumbles in 16 starts last year. He returned one of the picks for a 75-yard touchdown.
Nelson is still a timid tackler, though. His next team would be smart to put Nelson in situations where he has opportunities to make plays on the ball as a “center-field safety,” as opposed to forcing Nelson to support the run.