Five-year NFL cornerback Trae Waynes has signed a three-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals worth a total of $42 million, according to NFL Network media insider Ian Rapoport.
The #Bengals aren’t done yet: They are landing former #Vikings CB Trae Waynes, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. Two big splash free agents today.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020
Cincinnati Bengals Sign Cornerback Trae Waynes
Selected with the 11th overall pick out of Michigan State in the 2015 NFL Draft, Waynes mostly saw action on special teams as a rookie. After coming out of college with questions regarding his tackling, Waynes made his mark as a gunner on the punt team during his rookie campaign. He quickly became one of the team’s most reliable tacklers and in the Minnesota Vikings wild card loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Waynes recorded his first career interception.
Waynes spent the first five years of his career with the Vikings. In 2019, he started in 14 of 16 games and recorded one interception, two forced fumbles, and recovered an additional fumble. The Vikings defense finished fifth in the NFL in points allowed on the season. Although their pass defense ranked in the middle of the league, they surrendered over 300 passing yards in a game only twice in 2019.
In 2016, Waynes began working his way into the starting lineup opposite Xavier Rhodes, starting eight games and recording a career-high three interceptions on the league’s third-ranked defense. Once 2017 rolled around, Waynes became a full-time starter on the league’s top-ranked defensive unit and never relinquished the role. During the campaign, Waynes picked off two passes and added 11 passes defensed as the Vikings advanced to the NFC Championship Game.
Following the title game appearance, Waynes returned in 2018 with another solid campaign. He picked off one pass and was yet again a part of a defense that finished the season ranked in the top-five. Closing out the season, the Vikings allowed less than 200 yards passing in each of their final four games.
For his career, Waynes has recorded seven interceptions, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and a sack in the regular season, along with an interception in the playoffs.
