Bengals Beat: Why It Makes Sense Bengals Picked Up Dax Hill’s Fifth Year Option Now For 2026

CINCINNATI — It’s uncertain exactly when Dax Hill will return to the field or at exactly what position. But one thing is for sure, he’ll be back in 2026.

The Bengals made that a certainty when they confirmed Wednesday what was initially reported by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN on Tuesday that the team would be picking up his fifth year option for 2026, a move that most teams make to assure their first-round picks are with the team for as long as possible on a rookie contract.

The trade-off is that the fourth and fifth years are fully guaranteed, which – for Hill – amounts to $2.3 million this season and $12.682 million for ’26, based on snap count percentages over his first three seasons.

Of course, the Bengals could always extend Hill but this assures that Hill will be in Stripes at least two more seasons. Why is that critical?

The Bengals still want to see how their nickel corner and safety positions turn out. Josh Newton could compete for the job of nickel, taking the place of Mike Hilton, who is still a free agent. Geno Stone and Jordan Battle are the starting safeties at this point, with free agents like Justin Simmons still out on the market.

“I’m really excited about Dax’s future,” said head coach Zac Taylor. “We see an ascending player who attacks each day the right way. I can’t wait to see him back on the field making plays for us this season.”

Hill beat out DJ Turner last year and was thriving in the role of outside corner before he tore his ACL against Baltimore in early October. In 2023, he was asked to start at safety after Jessie Bates left in free agency for Atlanta. In 2022, he played multiple positions in the secondary. He could wind up playing anywhere this season, if healthy. But ideally, the Bengals would like to see him return to his corner job to start the season and play at the same high level he did before his knee injury in October.

Hill has played in 37 regular-season games with 24 starts, and totaled 147 tackles, seven tackles for loss 2.5 sacks, 13 passes defended and two interceptions. He was listed as a safety through his first two seasons.