Former Colts' RB Zack Moss Finds Home With Bengals
On the first day of NFL free agency, the Indianapolis Colts lost a valuable backup in Gardner Minshew to a team that would allow him to compete for the starting job.
Indy is now looking at a second backup departing for the same reason.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports the Cincinnati Bengals are signing running back Zack Moss to a two-year, $8 million deal with $4.525 million included in the first year. Subsequently, the Bengals traded running back Joe Mixon to the Houston Texans, paving the way for Moss to be the lead back in Cincinnati.
"The #Bengals have agreed to terms with RB Zack Moss on a two-year, $8 million deal, sources tell me and @TomPelissero," Garafolo posted on X. "The deal includes $4.525 million in the first year for Moss, who cashes in after showing what he could do in Jonathan Taylor’s absence last year."
Moss was traded to the Colts at the trade deadline of the 2022 season and ended up having a career year in 2023. In relief of Taylor during a couple of injury spells, Moss proved he could be a starting running back in the NFL. Moss rushed for 794 yards and five touchdowns in 14 games. He also added 27 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver.
It was always a long shot that Moss would return to the Colts. The running back wanted to go to a team where he could start and receive the bulk of the carries. With Taylor as the bell-cow back in Indy, the opportunity was not present with the Colts.
Indy will turn its attention elsewhere to find depth at running back behind Taylor. Trey Sermon, Evan Hull, and Tyler Goodson are the backs directly behind Taylor on the depth chart. Sermon flashed at points during the season in a backup role and may have the inside track at RB2. Hull was expected to have a sizeable role in the Colts' offense in 2023, but the rookie's season was cut short due to a knee injury.
Expect the Colts to continue scouring the free agent market and the NFL draft landscape this spring to add competition at running back behind Taylor.
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