If the Cincinnati Bengals want to make a serious push in 2026, bolstering their defensive front has to be a priority-and John Franklin-Myers could be the perfect piece to make that happen.
The veteran defensive lineman is set to hit free agency for the first time in his career, and while the Denver Broncos would love to keep him in orange and blue, the financial reality may force their hand. With cap space tight in Denver and Franklin-Myers poised to command a significant payday, teams with more flexibility-like the Bengals-are in a better position to make a compelling offer.
Cincinnati has already been linked to the 29-year-old by analysts who see him as a top-tier fit for a defense that’s struggled to keep pace in recent years. Over the past three seasons, the Bengals have ranked no better than 25th in total yards allowed and no better than 21st in points allowed. That’s not the kind of support you want behind a franchise quarterback like Joe Burrow, especially when you’ve got weapons like Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown on the other side of the ball.
The Bengals don’t just need help-they need a tone-setter up front. And Franklin-Myers checks a lot of boxes.
At 6'4", 288 pounds, he's the kind of versatile, disruptive presence who can line up across the defensive line, whether on the edge or kicking inside. That flexibility is a major asset in today’s NFL, where hybrid fronts and matchup-based schemes are the norm. He’s proven he can produce in a full-time role, racking up 65 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 44 pressures, and 14 tackles for loss over the past two seasons in Denver.
And it’s not just about the pass rush-though that’s certainly part of the appeal. The Bengals gave up more rushing yards than any team in the league last season.
That’s not just a stat-it’s a red flag. Franklin-Myers brings the kind of physicality and gap discipline that can help turn that around, giving Cincinnati a much-needed boost in the trenches.
Yes, the Bengals have to think about the edge, especially with Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai both approaching the end of their contracts. But this isn’t an either-or situation. Strengthening the entire defensive front is the real goal, and Franklin-Myers brings both immediate impact and veteran savvy to a unit that desperately needs both.
Financially, the Bengals are in a strong position to make a move. With nearly twice the cap space of the Broncos, they can offer Franklin-Myers a deal that reflects his value while still preserving flexibility for other roster needs. That matters, especially when you’re trying to build around a quarterback like Burrow and keep the window open for contention.
Franklin-Myers’ journey to this point has been anything but linear. A fourth-round pick in 2018, he was drafted by the Rams but waived before the season began. The Jets scooped him up, and he spent five solid seasons in New York before being traded to the Broncos during the 2024 NFL Draft in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
Now, entering his ninth season, he finally gets to choose his next destination. And while Denver has been a good fit-both in terms of scheme and success-the reality is that money talks in free agency. For a player who’s earned every snap and every stat, this is his shot to cash in.
If the Bengals are serious about improving their defense and making a deeper playoff run, Franklin-Myers should be high on their list. He’s not just a splash signing-he’s a foundational piece for a defense that’s overdue for a turnaround.