Cincinnati Bengals sign TE Tanner Hudson

The Bengals' signing of Hudson earns a C+ Contract Value Index (CVI), a fair-value deal that reflects his status as a depth piece on a league-minimum salary. At $1.35M, this is replacement-level money for a tight end, which aligns with Hudson's production tier—solid backup material without proven starting upside. The transaction itself carries minimal cap risk; a one-year commitment at this price point is the kind of low-stakes addition a 6-11 team can absorb while evaluating its roster construction during the offseason. Cincinnati isn't overpaying for potential here, nor is it getting a bargain—it's a pragmatic move to add bodies ahead of training camp with zero dead-cap liability if the fit doesn't materialize. The CVI holds steady because there's no misalignment between what the Bengals are paying and what Hudson is expected to deliver: reserve-level depth, no franchise burden, and the option to part ways cleanly if a better alternative emerges before the regular season.