The Cincinnati Bengals claimed safety DeAngelo Willingham off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks. The move comes after visiting with Ken Hamlin and C.C. Brown earlier this week.
Roy Williams—who signed another one-year deal this offseason—and Chris Crocker may be the Bengals top safeties entering next season, but they are still shopping for more help at the position. While Crocker still has three years remaining on his contract, Cincinnati re-signed Williams in what some are considering a second test-run for the former Dallas Cowboys standout that made five-straight Pro Bowls from 2003-07. He played in just four games last season after fracturing his forearm and eventually placed on season-ending injured reserve
After last weekend’s draft, many were surprised to see the Bengals pass on a safety when it was one of their top priorities. With Eric Berry selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the fifth overall pick, many wondered if Cincinnati would trade up to acquire Earl Thomas or take a shot at Taylor Mays if he was still available with the 21st pick. Instead, they selected Jermaine Gresham and used four of their next eight picks on defense—but none on a safety.
Willingham, the former Tennessee Volunteer, was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an unrestricted free agent following the 2009 NFL Draft. He played in three preseason games before his release and joined the practice squads for the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, and Seahawks. Willingham has never participated in a NFL regular season game.
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