Cincinnati Bengals
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The Bengals signed Boye Mafe
Entering free agency, the Cincinnati Bengals needed to address their defense after allowing the third-most points in the NFL during the 2025 season. When the Bengals made the AFC Championship in the 2022 season, their defense was a strength; however, the unit has regressed every year since, and the team has missed the postseason for three consecutive seasons.
Cincinnati entered free agency among the top 10 teams in available cap space, and they quickly put it to good use.Their first free agent signing was Cincinnati native Bryan Cook, who started the past two seasons for the Chiefs as their safety. He agreed to a deal worth up to $40.2 million with the Bengals.
Then, the Bengals agreed to terms with a Super Bowl champion edge rusher.
Cincinnati Bengals Sign Boye Mafe
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported the Cincinnati Bengals had agreed to a three-year, $60 million deal with former Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe. Mafe started 31 games over the past three seasons in Seattle and has totaled 20 sacks in his four-year career.
Mafe was ranked as the No. 26 free agent in this class by The Athletic. They gave his signing a ‘B-’ grade.The Athletic’s Mike Jones wrote, “This is partially a potential-based signing as Cincinnati awards Mafe a deal that will pay him $20 million per season on average, although he has served as a rotational player and is coming off a two-sack, 31-tackle season. Mafe has shown he’s capable of more, recording nine sacks and 52 tackles and 16 quarterback hits as a full-time starter in 2023. The Bengals are counting on similar production as they try to replace Trey Hendrickson.”
With Trey Hendrickson leaving Cincinnati, the Bengals were in the market for an edge rusher and Mafe appears to have fit the bill.Breer also reported that the Cincinnati Bengals were in the market for Raiders pass-rusher Maxx Crosby, before he was eventually traded to division rival the Baltimore Ravens. While the team did not land the Pro Bowl pass rusher, they will hope Mafe, who is 27 years old, can give Cincinnati the best years of his career.
Bengals Free Agency
Despite the two high-priced defensive additions, the Cincinnati Bengals still have $40 million in available cap space according toOverTheCap. The Bengals defense still has a need at linebacker and the interior defensive line.
Sports Illustrated’s Zach Pressnell named free agent All-Pro linebacker Lavonte David as a player the Bengals could target. He wrote, “The most intriguing options in free agency are always the young players with room to grow, but the Bengals could take a chance on a veteran like David.
David has started 215 games in 14 NFL seasons. That includes starting in 17 of 17 games in three of the past four years (15 in 2023). The veteran is a stout run defender, which is exactly what the Bengals need. He’s also able to get to the quarterback when called upon on a linebacker blitz or a scramble drill. He has 42.5 career sacks.”