CFL interceptions leader, DB Winston Rose signs contract with Cincinnati Bengals

Photo Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

The reigning CFL interceptions leader, defensive back Winston Rose has signed a two-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals which includes signing bonus money, per sources.

Rose was deciding between competing offers, the other from the Philadelphia Eagles, but he chose the Bengals deal. His agent Kenny Kim of Summit Athletes negotiated the contract with the Bengals following interest from multiple teams. Cincinnati finished with the worst win-loss record — 2-14 — in the NFL.

The 26-year-old recorded a league-high nine picks in 2019 en route to being named a CFL all-star. He notched 58 tackles and a touchdown in 18 starts, helping lock down the boundary side of Winnipeg’s secondary.

The Bombers won the Grey Cup for the first time in 29 years beating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. 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 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.

Three seasons later, Rose earns another shot at making an active roster in the NFL.