Serious money is expected to be spent on a few Cincinnati Bengals players this offseason. Unfortunately for linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, he's not one of the names on that short list.
Davis-Gaither has played five years in Cincinnati on two different contracts. The former fourth-round pick from the club's iconic 2020 NFL Draft class is a proven special-teamer and depth piece at linebacker. He was even a captain this past year. Heading into his sixth year, it'd be understandable if he wants more out of his career now that he's in the prime of it.
The first step in that process is signing on with one of the premiere agencies in the business to cash in during free agency.
Davis-Gaither is now represented by Athletes First, per an announcement from the company via Instagram.
Davis-Gaither signed a one-year, $2,742,500 deal to stay with the Bengals last year after the expiration of his four-year rookie contract. Hiring a new agency that represents five First Team All-Pro players from this past season is a clear indication he'll be wanting a larger deal this time around.
Tack on the fact that the Bengals will be hiring a new defensive coordinator in the coming days, and Davis-Gaither may want a fresh start altogether. He has always been behind both Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson in the pecking order at linebacker, only garnering starts when one of the two were out with injury.
Davis-Gaither logged a career-high seven starts in 2024 due to these circumstances as well as a career-high 82 total tackles and his first regular season interception since his rookie season. If there were ever a time for the 27-year old to leave for a starting contract, it's right now. He can also recoup the fine he had to pay to end the season.
That certainly looks like Davis-Gaither's plan with free agency only weeks away.
