The Cincinnati Bengals have waived former CFL defensive back Winston Rose, but if he clears the team plans to sign him to the practice squad, per sources.
Rose played two games for Cincinnati during the 2020 season, earning over $250,000 USD for the year.
The 27-year-old recorded a CFL-high nine picks in 2019 en route to being named a league all-star. He notched 58 tackles and one touchdown in 18 starts, helping lock down the boundary side of Winnipeg’s secondary.
The Blue Bombers won the Grey Cup for the first time in 29 years, beating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 33-12. Rose intercepted Saskatchewan Roughriders’ quarterback Cody Fajardo in the West Final and made 15 tackles during Winnipeg’s post-season run to a CFL title.
Four CFL teams have employed Rose over the course of his career. After spending brief periods with Toronto and Ottawa in 2017, the New Mexico State University product played all 18 games for B.C. in 2018, making 32 tackles and five interceptions.
After going unselected in the 2016 NFL draft, Rose signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Los Angeles Rams. He was released shortly after and inked a pact with the Indianapolis Colts. He played in three pre-season games with the Colts, making one tackle and defending one pass, but was released among final cuts.
Rose has impressed the Bengals coaching staff enough to be brought back.
