The Cincinnati Bengals released running back Giovani Bernard on Wednesday after he asked for his release, according to a source. The Bengals had asked him to take a pay cut two weeks into free agency, which hurt his chances of landing with another team. However, the 29-year-old pass-catching back should land on his feet rather quickly on the open market. With Bernard now out of the picture, the Bengals will move forward with Samaje Perine as the direct backup to Joe Mixon, but expect the team to address the position during this month’s draft. Bernard has played all eight of his NFL seasons in Cincy after he was a second-round pick in 2013. He has 3,697 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns while also catching 342 passes for 2,867 yards and 11 touchdowns in 115 career games. Bernard started a career-high 10 games in 2020 with Mixon injured. It’ll depend on where he lands, but Bernard hasn’t been much more than an RB3/flex in PPR leagues in recent seasons.