Joseph Ossai isn’t sweating free agency - and after the season he just put together, it’s easy to see why.
The Bengals edge rusher, who returned to Cincinnati on a one-year deal last offseason, is once again set to hit the open market. But unlike many players in his position, Ossai isn’t losing sleep over what comes next.
“I’m a big believer in God,” he said. “No need to be nervous, no need to be anxious.
His plan is His plan. At the end of the day, I’ll have a job next year.
That’s all I care about, man. Put the ball down, let’s go.”
That quiet confidence is backed by production. Ossai turned in a career-best season in 2025, notching 43 pressures and 5.0 sacks - both personal highs - despite missing the final three games with an ankle injury.
It was a strong encore to his late-season surge in 2024, when he also logged five sacks in the final seven games. And this time, he did it with a larger role and higher expectations.
After years of being used primarily in a rotational role, Ossai finally got his shot to start following the departure of veteran Sam Hubbard. Then, when Trey Hendrickson went down with a hip and pelvis injury in Week 8, Ossai stepped into an even bigger spotlight - and did so from his preferred spot on the right side of the line.
“It was great,” Ossai said. “I favor that side a bit… it was great to be over there predominantly, I would say.”
He’s not one to boast, especially when it comes at the expense of a teammate’s absence, but there’s no denying that the opportunity allowed Ossai to show what he can do. And while the Bengals’ pass rush took a hit without Hendrickson - who’s also heading into free agency - Ossai was proud of how the defensive line responded.
“It is tough when you lose a guy like that and the impact he makes,” he said. “But I think we did a good job of rallying as a D-line and playing with each other and leaning on each other in hopes of filling that hole. Anyone who’s played against him or played with him knows it’s a massive hole that’s gone in a defense when he’s not on it.”
One of the biggest surprises was the emergence of Myles Murphy, who jumped from zero sacks in 2024 to a team-leading 5.5 in 2025. That kind of growth across the line helped soften the blow of Hendrickson’s absence - and showed that Cincinnati’s pass rush has depth, even if it’s still a top offseason priority for director of player personnel Duke Tobin.
Where Ossai fits into those plans remains to be seen. He’s made it clear he wants to return.
“This is home,” Ossai said. “I love the guys in this locker room, and I love playing for Al [Golden], I love playing for Zac [Taylor], and I love playing for J Mo [Jerry Montgomery]. Based off that, I would want to come back.”
But he’s also realistic. He knows the business side is out of his hands, and he’s letting his agent and the front office handle those conversations. Whether it’s Cincinnati or somewhere else, he’s ready to get to work.
Ossai’s production jump wasn’t just about increased snaps. He credits a mix of factors - coaching, comfort in the system, and his own growth as a leader.
“A lot of variables,” he said. “J Mo, me being more comfortable in the role I was playing, more confident… Year 5, going in and just being asked to do different things, as in, be a leader for the team. There’s no way to pinpoint which one it was, but all those things I would say are the reasons.”
He’s also not getting caught up in the money talk, even if his performance this season could set him up for a solid payday.
“I think I did all right for myself,” Ossai said. “I’m very critical of myself, so there’s definitely a lot more that I wanted to do, a lot more I could have done. Easier said than done, obviously, but that will happen.”
And when it comes to his next contract?
“This is fun for me. This is what I dream about,” he said.
“Whatever, if they give me five bucks, I’m good… I’ll get a little more than that, but whatever they give me, I’m happy with. So we’ll see.”
Wherever he ends up, Joseph Ossai is betting on himself - and after the strides he’s made, it’s a bet that looks better by the day.