The Cincinnati Bengals are entering the 2026 offseason with a clear mission: fix the defense. Joe Burrow and the offense can only carry this team so far, and after a season where the Bengals gave up more yards than almost anyone else in the league, it's time for the front office to get aggressive on that side of the ball.
The good news? It sounds like Cincinnati is ready to spend in free agency.
The catch? That plan hinges on what they decide to do with edge rusher Trey Hendrickson.
And right now, that situation is anything but settled.
The Trey Hendrickson Dilemma
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: Trey Hendrickson. The Bengals are reportedly considering the franchise tag, but it doesn’t sound like either side is all that interested in a long-term future together. Hendrickson has made it clear he’s not thrilled with the idea of sticking around, and the Bengals don’t seem eager to commit big money to him beyond 2026.
If they do tag him, it’ll eat up a huge chunk of their cap space-money they could otherwise use to bring in much-needed reinforcements. That’s where the idea of a tag-and-trade comes into play. If the Bengals can flip Hendrickson for a player who fits better with their current needs and timeline, it could be a win-win.
Could Minkah Fitzpatrick Be the Answer in the Secondary?
One name that’s surfaced as a potential trade target is safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Yes, he’s currently with the Dolphins.
Yes, he used to play for the Steelers. And yes, Bengals fans would probably forget all about that if he showed up in stripes.
Miami is in a tough spot financially-more than $16 million over the cap-and they’ve got a Tua Tagovailoa-sized contract situation to resolve. That could make Fitzpatrick available, especially with the Dolphins heading into what looks like a major rebuild.
Fitzpatrick would be a massive upgrade over Geno Stone, who struggled to consistently anchor the back end of Cincinnati’s defense. Even with a strong 2026 safety class in the draft, there’s no reason the Bengals couldn’t double-dip-especially considering Jordan Battle hasn’t exactly locked down a long-term starting role, and nickel corner Jalen Davis is a free agent.
Fitzpatrick is versatile enough to play in the slot, too. He took a majority of his 2025 snaps at nickel and still graded out as one of the top five safeties in the league, per PFF. That kind of flexibility could be invaluable for a defense that needs help at multiple levels.
Daron Payne: A One-Year Rental or a Building Block?
Another intriguing name to watch: Daron Payne. The Commanders are in a full-on defensive reset, and Payne-once a centerpiece of their front-is now one of the biggest cap hits on the roster. His best statistical season came back in 2022 when he racked up 11.5 sacks, but even if that peak is in the rearview, Payne still brings a lot to the table.
He’s been remarkably durable, missing just three games in his entire career, and he was a key part of the Washington defense that reached the NFC Championship Game two years ago. That experience and consistency would be a welcome addition to a Bengals defensive line that needs more push from the interior.
Payne’s frustration with Washington boiled over last season-literally. He was suspended for punching Amon-Ra St.
Brown during a game. That’s not behavior you want to see repeated, but it also speaks to the dysfunction in Washington’s locker room.
A change of scenery could be exactly what he needs.
If the Bengals can work out a trade-possibly involving Hendrickson-it could fill needs for both teams. Washington is thin at edge rusher, with five of their top six defensive ends headed for free agency. Swapping a disgruntled Hendrickson for a proven interior presence like Payne makes sense on multiple levels, especially if it also frees up cap space.
Jessie Bates: A Reunion Worth Considering
If the Bengals can’t land Fitzpatrick, there’s another familiar face who could be available: Jessie Bates. The former Cincinnati safety was a cornerstone of the team’s Super Bowl LVI run and their subsequent AFC title game appearance. His departure left a noticeable void in the secondary, and his current situation in Atlanta suggests a reunion could be on the table.
Bates is entering the final year of his contract, and things haven’t exactly clicked with the Falcons. Atlanta is shifting to a new regime, and they’ve got plenty of big decisions looming-starting with what to do about Kirk Cousins. They also need to plan for extensions for Drake London and Bijan Robinson, and possibly Kyle Pitts.
With rookie safety Xavier Watts emerging as a potential star, Bates may no longer be part of Atlanta’s long-term vision. That makes him a prime trade candidate-and a perfect fit for a Bengals defense that needs leadership, production, and familiarity.
The Path Forward
The Bengals are in a pivotal spot. They’ve got the quarterback, the offensive weapons, and a fan base hungry for another deep playoff run. But without serious upgrades on defense, they’ll continue to hit the same ceiling.
Whether it’s trading Hendrickson for Daron Payne, bringing home Jessie Bates, or making a splash move for Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cincinnati has options. The key will be making smart, aggressive moves that align with their timeline-and that means not letting cap space get tied up in unhappy partnerships.
The window is open. Now it’s on the Bengals to step through it.