Bengals Add Linebacker Depth with Signing of Joe Giles-Harris: 5 Things to Know
The Cincinnati Bengals signed free-agent linebacker Joe Giles-Harris on Wednesday. Here’s a quick look at five key things to know about the team’s newest addition:
1. A Familiar Face
Giles-Harris isn’t entirely new to Cincinnati—he spent a brief stint on the Bengals’ practice squad in December 2024. A week later, he was picked up by the Jaguars and added to their active roster on December 24.
2. A True Journeyman
After going undrafted in 2019, Giles-Harris began his NFL career with Jacksonville. Since then, he’s also spent time with the Bills and Patriots, logging 30 tackles across 22 career games.
3. Duke Roots Run Deep
A standout at Duke University, Giles-Harris served as a team captain in 2018 and was named team MVP in 2017. He earned All-ACC honors twice during his college career. He now reunites in Cincinnati with fellow Duke alums Lucas Patrick and Shaka Heyward—the latter of whom was his teammate at Duke in 2018.
4. Athletic Family Ties
Athleticism runs in the Giles-Harris family. His younger brother, J.T., was an All-American lacrosse player at Duke and is now a three-time PLL All-Star with the Denver Outlaws. Their father and older brother also played college football.
5. Multi-Sport Star
Before college, Giles-Harris was a three-sport athlete at St. Joseph Regional High School in New Jersey, excelling in football, lacrosse, and basketball. He played a key role in leading his team to two state championships, notably blocking two punts in a dominant 2013 title game win.
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