Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings
Getty
Kevin Byard III #31 of the Chicago Bears makes a tackle on Jordan Mason #27 of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Bengals have work to do on the defensive side of the ball. It was laughably bad in 2025, and they need to make decisions on Myles Murphy and Trey Hendrickson.
They’ll be looking for help all over the place, and that includes at the safety position. Thankfully, PFF has named Cinci as a top landing spot for a former 3-time All-Pro, 3-time Pro Bowler, and 2-time NFL interceptions leader.
Bengals Named Top Landing Spot for Kevin Byard
Kevin Byard
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 10: Kevin Byard III #31 of the Chicago Bears walks out of the tunnel before the game against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Byard made a name for himself, proving to be a ball hawk with the Titans. After an impressive tenure in the Music City, he made his way to Philadelphia via trade in 2023.
He was released from the Eagles in early 2024, eventually making his way to the Bears. He signed a 2-year/$15 million contract 9 days after departing from Philly. In 2025, Byard was back to his ball-hawking ways. He led the NFL in interceptions with 7, and became a First Team All-Pro for the third time in his decorated career.
That two year deal he signed with the Bears in 2024 will expire in early March. Therefore, he can test the open market on this offseason.
Pro Football Focus believes he would fit best on the Cincinnati Bengals.
“Byard is a true deep center fielder with natural ball-hawking skills. Over the past three seasons, the veteran safety has produced a 90.4 PFF coverage grade as the deep-free and deep-third defender.
That capability allows him to make plays on the ball, having secured an NFL-leading seven interceptions for the Bears this past season. His experience would also provide a veteran voice in the coverage unit, something sorely lacking in Cincinnati this past season.”
Byard will turn 33 in August, making him one of the elders of the secondary in the NFL. Still, the Bengals could absolutely rely on him to provide upside on the back-end of their defense.
Cinci Needs to Make Decision on Myles Murphy
Cincinnati Bengals
GettyCINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 28: Cam Sample #96 celebrates with Myles Murphy #99 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)
Murphy was selected 28th overall in 2023 by Cincinnati. The Bengals needed help at edge rusher, and they thought the former Clemson Tiger was the man for the job.
Murphy hasn’t quite broken out yet, but he made decent strides in 2025. Per John Acree of Cinci Jungle, Week 9 was the start of Murphy’s breakout. This came after star edge rusher Trey Hendrickon went down, increasing Murphy’s snap count substantially.
“In the Week 9 loss to the Chicago Bears, Murphy had five tackles and an assist, three quarterback pressures, one batted pass, and two run stops. In Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Murphy had his best game of the season with five tackles and an assist, six pressures, a sack, four hurries, and five run stops.”
Murphy notched 36 solo tackles in 2026, the 6th-best mark in the league by an edge rusher. Consider some more of an insight on Murphy’s 2025 season, per PFF.
682 total snaps (31st)
64.2 overall grade (67th)
63.5 pass rush grade (63rd)
64.8 rush defense grade (48th)
41 total pressures (46th)
It appears likely that the Bengals will pick up his option, but only time will tell.