“[The rookies] are about the right stuff,” Zac Taylor said—but make no mistake, this isn’t just coach-speak. It’s a mission statement. After back-to-back playoff misses, the Bengals’ locker room has turned into a construction zone. New faces, fresh hunger, and no room for excuses. Taylor’s chasing more than depth—he’s chasing redemption. And with glaring gaps from last season, it’s clear: the Bengals aren’t just trying to fix problems. They’re trying to bring the 7-pound trophy home. From player waivers to pay cuts, Zac Taylor is not afraid to ruffle feathers in his relentless pursuit of a championship.

In a surprising twist, the Bengals announced a roster update on May 12 with a quiet post on X. The caption read: “We have signed college free agent S Shaquan Loyal and waived CB Micah Abraham.” At first glance, it seemed like a minor transaction. But dig a little deeper, and it’s clear this is part of a bigger shakeup inside Cincinnati’s locker room. The Bengals are revamping. After the 2025 NFL Draft, they’ve added 13 rookies. 

One of the newest names in the mix, safety Shaquan Loyal, a 6-foot, 202-pound safety out of Rutgers. Though he went undrafted, he’s not short on credentials. Loyal started all 13 games in his senior year, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. Over his college career, he recorded 176 total tackles—nine of them for loss—along with two sacks and four interceptions. His 40-yard dash clocked in at 4.58 seconds. Dane Brugler had him ranked as the 80th-best safety in this draft class.

But while one door opens, another closes. The Bengals waived Micah Abraham, a cornerback who many thought had his spot secured. Just last year, Abraham signed an $840,000 deal with Cincinnati and played in all 13 games, starting in seven. He racked up 36 tackles, grabbed one interception, and broke up three passes. For a guy who worked his way from the practice squad to meaningful snaps, this cut feels sudden. Especially after what looked like a breakout 2024 season. Back on October 8, 2024, the Bengals added Micah Abraham to their practice squad—quiet move, but it spoke volumes at the time.

Abraham’s journey has already been turbulent. He was originally drafted by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but found a second chance in Cincinnati. When he joined the Bengals, he made a strong impression during preseason. But now, it appears that the spark wasn’t enough. He’s again on the outside looking in. 

It’s not just the roster getting rebuilt in Cincinnati—behind the scenes, Zac Taylor is reworking the books, too. 

Zac Taylor slashes Geno Stone’s salary

Last week, the Bengals dropped a surprise—Geno Stone, their free safety, was to take a major pay cut. The reason? “That’s a guy we really want, so that’s something I was willing to do for the team,” said Bengals safety Geno Stone. “That is something I owe them. I signed here, and I want to own what I want to do for them.” It’s not every day you hear an NFL player talk like that, especially when it means a smaller paycheck. But Stone’s recent decision to accept a pay cut shows this isn’t just business. 

The bigger story? Stone didn’t do this just for himself. His restructure frees up $1.5 million in cap space—a move aimed at helping Cincinnati find room to negotiate a contract extension with star defensive end Trey Hendrickson. That’s not just team spirit. He made a selfless bet on the Bengals’ future. 

Another potential reason why Zac Taylor and the Bengals trimmed Geno Stone’s salary? His inconsistent 2024 performance. Earlier last season, Stone was one of several defensive players who had a slow start. His first interception didn’t come until Week 7, and he got injured on that same play. It wasn’t until Week 13 that things started to click for both him and the defense. Stone is heading into his second year with Cincinnati, and on paper, his deal looks like a loss. His salary dropped by $1.58 million for the upcoming season. But here’s the twist—$1.5 million of that is now guaranteed. That means a possibility of a deal extension with more financial security, even if it looks like less cash up front. 

Geno Stone’s pay cut is more than just a financial move—it’s a sign of trust. It strengthens the bond between coaches, front office, and players, while adding leverage to the Bengals’ pursuit of Trey Hendrickson’s extension. The Bengals saved money, Stone secured guarantees, and Hendrickson might have a clearer path to a new deal. The question remains: will this gamble lead to wins or headlines? Either way, Stone’s sacrifice is a powerful culture check in Cincinnati.