Kicker Austin Seibert was released by the Cleveland Browns on Monday, but he didn’t have to wait for long to land another job. According to NFL Network, Seibert was claimed off waivers by Cincinnati Bengals and should join the team once he clears COVID-19 protocols.
The curiosity about the move is that Bengals are set to play the Browns on Thursday night, meaning that Seibert might get an early opportunity to have revenge on his old team.
Still, Seibert isn’t locked in to start against Cleveland as Bengals view him more as an insurance in case starter Randy Bullock isn’t able to go on Thursday. Bullock, who had his own struggles in the season opener, is currently dealing with calf issues.
“We expect Randy to kick this Thursday as he works through his tightness,” Bengals’ head coach Zac Taylor told the media on Tuesday. “Randy is our kicker.”
Austin Seibert was drafted by the Browns in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft and had solid production in his rookie season, converting 86.2 percent of his field-goal attempts. However, Seibert entered poorly in the new season, missing a 41-yarder in a blowout loss to Baltimore Ravens and adding a failed extra point conversion.
Browns reacted swiftly to Seibert’s struggles, replacing him with ex-Chicago Bears kicker Cody Parkey.
