All articles tagged with #bengals
Bengals.com’s Media Mock Draft 3.0 envisions a No. 10 trade to the Jets for No. 44 and No. 110, allowing Cincinnati to collect three top-50 picks while still addressing edge, tackle and playmaking needs later; the Jets land Jordyn Tyson at 10, while the Bengals re-stack with a No. 16 pick (and other top prospects), illustrating the ongoing value-vs.-risk trade-off in a thinner 2026 NFL Draft.
Joe Flacco, back with the Cincinnati Bengals as a backup after being traded mid-season to run their offense while Joe Burrow recovered, says he still believes he can be a starter and criticizes teams for not giving him that opportunity. In nine appearances for Cincinnati last year he threw for 1,664 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions with a 61.7% completion rate, but those numbers didn't earn him a starting job this season.
Cincinnati signed defensive tackle Jonathan Allen to a two-year, $26 million deal (up to $28 million) to bolster a weakened defensive line and provide veteran leadership. But NFL media outlets delivered mixed grades: Sports Illustrated gave a C+, ESPN flagged the move as risky and expensive given Allen’s recent production, and PFF noted multiple seasons below a 60 overall grade and a run-stopping struggle, suggesting he’s best used in a rotational role. The deal could also interact with a potential Minnesota cap credit due to offset language, depending on its structure.
The Cincinnati Bengals signed defensive tackle Jonathan Allen to a two-year, $28 million contract to bolster their run defense, adding him after other offseason defensive moves, though questions linger about his age and recent production.
The Cincinnati Bengals signed defensive tackle Jonathan Allen to a two-year, $28 million contract, adding a proven interior pass-rush threat to bolster their defensive line and help improve the team's pass rush.
The Cincinnati Bengals signed former Seattle Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million contract, adding a proven exterior rush presence after losing Joseph Ossai, as Mafe comes off a 2025 season with 31 tackles, two sacks and five pass breakups and has tallied 44-plus QB pressures in each of the last three seasons; he’s expected to work with Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy to strengthen Cincinnati's defense as free agency progresses.
The Bengals are expected to lose defensive end Trey Hendrickson in free agency, and analysts predict they’ll pursue a high-priced edge—Odafe Oweh from the Chargers—potentially pairing him with first-rounder Shemar Stewart to rebuild Cincinnati’s struggling defense.
With free agency looming, the Bengals are weighing offensive upgrades: swing-tackle options Vederian Lowe or Jedrick Wills to back up Orlando Brown, veteran quarterback depth (Garoppolo, Geno Smith, Tyrod Taylor, or Joe Flacco) as bridges, and added inline tight end talent (Charlie Kolar or Daniel Bellinger) to supplement Drew Sample and Mike Gesicki.
The Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly pursuing veteran safety help in free agency, with Chiefs’ Bryan Cook and Colts’ Nick Cross among top targets as they reshape their secondary. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes the Jets and Bengals are in the mix for top safeties, and Cincinnati is also weighing internal options like Jordan Battle while considering market prices highlighted by Cook’s Cincinnati roots and strong PFF metrics.
A new NFL rule allows teams to hold one 60-minute video or phone call with up to five potential UFAs during the negotiating window, with the player's agent on the call; for the Bengals, this enables coaches to directly pitch the team’s vision, potentially giving them an edge in landing top free agents.
Dallas has cooled on a trade for Raiders edge Maxx Crosby and shifted to pursuing Bengals star Trey Hendrickson in free agency, after Cincinnati chose not to franchise tag him. Hendrickson, who led the NFL in sacks in 2024 (17.5) but missed 10 games with a core-muscle injury in 2025, is projected to land a three-year, roughly $99 million contract with multiple teams—including Dallas, Indianapolis and Tampa Bay—when the negotiating window opens. The Raiders hold the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, and a report cited by Trey Wingo noted Crosby’s market has heated up, with other teams potentially offering two first-round picks, which could push Dallas toward Hendrickson as the primary target.
Dalton Risner re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals for 2026, returning to a vital right guard role and providing stability for Joe Burrow’s offense as the team kicks off its offseason; the deal drew support from teammates and coaches and underscored the Bengals’ commitment to their O-line.
Cincinnati heads into 2026 free agency with two own edge players, Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai, entering the market after injuries in 2025, and a large, dynamic pool of potential targets that includes Odafe Oweh, Dremont Jones, Jaelan Phillips, Joey Bosa, Jadeveon Clowney, Khalil Mack and others, a market likely to shift with extensions and franchise tags.
The Cleveland Browns are interviewing Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher for their head coach position, with Pitcher being the third candidate to interview. He has a strong coaching background with the Bengals and previous experience with the Colts and college football.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor expressed optimism about the team's defense, which finished strong last season, and highlighted the importance of finishing games better. The team is in a positive position for the offseason with most skill players under contract for 2026, and Taylor is eager to improve and meet high expectations. The article also discusses potential quarterback Joe Flacco's future, the team's focus on improving game finishing, and addressing turnovers, with rookie Shemar Stewart emphasizing the need for offseason recovery.