Bengals make $12.7 million decision on key defensive player ahead of deadline

The Cincinnati Bengals had a decision to make on 2022 first-round pick, cornerback Daxton Hill — and the team has now made that decision.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Bengals are exercising the fifth-year option on Hill, a decision that had to be made by May 1. Fowler notes that Hill is projected to make $12.7 million on the fifth-year option when it hits in 2026.

After a rough rookie season, Hill bounced back in his sophomore campaign and was much better. He looked to be taking another step in the right direction in 2024 before suffering a torn ACL that ended his season after five games. Prior to his injury, Hill gave up a completion rate of 65% and a passer rating of 99.0 when targeted.

"I thought Dax was playing really good football for us," head coach Zac Taylor said after Hill's injury. "He's worked really hard to get to that position."

Hill is set to play a prominent role in the Bengals' defense in 2025, as he's projected to start on the boundary. Cincinnati desperately needs Hill to stay healthy if the team wants to see an improvement after a putrid showing on defense in 2024 that completely wrecked the team's 2024 campaign.

The concern with Hill is that he may not be himself in his first season back, something that isn't uncommon for players coming back from such an injury. However, clearly the Bengals are still confident in his future.

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