Mitchell Tinsley: Bengals| Contract| Washington Commanders

2. Professional Beginnings with Washington Commanders

• Undrafted Free Agent Signing (2023)
  Despite his collegiate production, Tinsley went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, he signed with the Washington Commanders as a college free agent.

• Limited Game Action (2023 Season)
  He appeared in just two regular-season games, accumulating three offensive snaps and seven special teams snaps, but recorded no receptions or statistics.

• Practice Squad (2024)
  In the 2024 season, Tinsley spent the year on Washington’s practice squad after being waived following preseason roster cuts.

3. Contract Details: Bengals Reserve/Future Deal

• Signing the Reserve/Future Contract
  On February 4, 2025, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Tinsley to a reserve/future contract, a move that allows him to join the team’s offseason roster and participate in the 2025 offseason program.

• Roster Timing
  Although the contract was signed in early February, he will officially count toward the Bengals’ active roster on February 10, 2025—the Monday following the Super Bowl.

• Contract Value
  According to Spotrac, Tinsley’s contract is a 1-year deal worth $960,000, with no signing bonus and no guaranteed money. His base salary and cap hit for 2025 are both $960,000. Mitchell Tinsley Bengals.

4. Why the Bengals Signed Him: Potential, Opportunity, and Depth

The signing represents a low-risk, high-upside move for Cincinnati:

• Upside from College Production
  Tinsley’s college stats—especially at Western Kentucky—highlight his strong hands, route-running, and contested-catch ability.

• Opportunity to Prove Himself
  With a fresh start under Zac Taylor’s coaching staff in a receiver room featuring stars like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Tinsley now has the chance to add power, depth, and possibly carve a rotational or special teams role.

5. Recent Preseason Impact: Turning Heads in Cincinnati

• Breakout Preseason Performance (2025)
  On August 18, 2025, Tinsley had a breakout moment during a preseason game against his former team, the Commanders.

  • Two Touchdowns, five catches for 73 yards

  • His performance included two impressive touchdown grabs on Monday Night Football versus Washington.

  • ESPN insider Adam Schefter praised him on X: “Mitchell Tinsley earning a roster spot tonight.”

  • Even Joe Burrow commented: “Hopefully he secured a [roster] spot… he’s a guy that you can count on… he’s a smart guy and knows all the positions”.

This performance significantly raised his profile and bolstered his chances of making the Bengals’ final 53-man roster for 2025. Mitchell Tinsley Bengals.

6. Career Snapshot: Stats & Timeline

7. What’s Next for Mitchell Tinsley?

• Training Camp & Preseason
  Tinsley now enters a critical phase—training camp and preseason. His August 2025 breakout could be a springboard for more opportunities.

• Roster Bubble Competition
  Given the depth in Cincinnati’s receiving corps, he’ll be fighting for either a roster spot or key special teams role.

• Potential for Growth
  His journey—marked by persistence across college and into the NFL—suggests he could continue climbing if he maintains momentum and proves reliable.

FAQs

1. What kind of contract did Mitchell Tinsley sign with the Bengals?
He signed a reserve/future contract with the Cincinnati Bengals on February 4, 2025, effective for the 2025 offseason and season.

2. How much is Mitchell Tinsley’s contract worth?
It’s a 1-year deal worth $960,000, with the full amount as base salary and cap hit, featuring no signing bonus or guaranteed money.

3. What does a reserve/future contract mean?
This contract type allows players not on active rosters at season’s end (like practice squad members) to sign with a team and be part of offseason activities and roster count for the next season.

4. How did Tinsley perform in preseason against the Commanders?
On August 18, 2025, Tinsley caught 5 passes for 73 yards, including 2 touchdowns, in a standout performance versus his former team.

5. What are his college and pro background highlights?

• College: Strong production at Western Kentucky and Penn State (notably 1,402 receiving yards in 2021).

• Professional: Undrafted in 2023 by the Commanders, minimal game action (3 snaps offense, 7 special teams), practice squad in 2024.

6. Does he have a chance to make the Bengals roster?
Yes — his preseason breakout performance and diverse skill set give him a strong shot to compete for a roster or special teams spot in 2025.

Conclusion

Mitchell Tinsley—once an overlooked undrafted free agent—has steadily climbed the ranks through productive college play, brief flashes in Washington, and a promising futures contract with Cincinnati. His unforgettable preseason showing against the Commanders has the league watching. As 2025 unfolds, Tinsley could turn that potential into a legitimate NFL role.