The Cincinnati Bengals have been busy in the early stages of free agency, making some key signings while still facing significant roster needs and tight salary cap constraints.
Free Agents Signed
The Bengals have bolstered their defense by signing safety Bryan Cook to a three-year, $40.25 million deal, with $14 million guaranteed. His cap hit for 2026 will be $11 million.
Defensive end Boye Mafe joins on a three-year, $60 million contract, with $19 million guaranteed and a $17 million cap hit in 2026. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen is on board for two years at $25 million, with $7.5 million guaranteed and a $9.75 million cap hit in 2026.
Quarterback Josh Johnson has also been signed, though financial details weren't disclosed.
What's Still on the To-Do List
Defensive coordinator Al Golden has expressed a desire to bring in a veteran linebacker. However, with the current free agent market, the Bengals might have to settle for players who are either past their prime or serve as depth options. They also need a solid backup quarterback to challenge Josh Johnson, competition at slot cornerback, and additional depth at safety, interior offensive line, and possibly a swing tackle.
Salary Cap Situation
The Bengals have around $22 to $23 million in cap space, depending on the source. However, they need to reserve roughly $12 million for draft picks, injury replacements, bonuses, and other expenses, leaving them with about $10 million in effective cap space.
Departed Free Agents
The team has seen several players move on, including DE Trey Hendrickson to the Ravens and DE Joseph Ossai to the Jets. S Geno Stone, TE Noah Fant, G Cordell Volson, QB Jake Browning, and CB Marco Wilson have also signed elsewhere.
Unsigned Free Agents
Cincinnati still has several unsigned free agents, including QB Joe Flacco, G Lucas Patrick, and CB Cam Taylor-Britt, among others.
Strategic Moves
Director of player personnel Duke Tobin emphasized the team's commitment to upgrading the roster. While they’ve made significant moves with Cook and Mafe, they opted not to pursue a linebacker aggressively, missing out on Kaden Elliss and Leo Chenal, whose contracts were perhaps more reasonable than expected.
The signing of Jonathan Allen is strategic, providing relief for BJ Hill and potentially impacting the role of Kris Jenkins, a promising 2024 second-round pick. The Bengals' decisions might also be influenced by the desire to secure a compensatory pick in 2027, particularly after Trey Hendrickson's departure.
Cincinnati's free agency strategy reflects a careful balance of addressing immediate needs while keeping an eye on future flexibility. With a few more smart moves, they could be well-positioned for the upcoming season.