Cincinnati Bengals
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Tycen Anderson was not re-signed by the Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have primarily dedicated this offseason to improving their defense heading into next season. The team has already signed three starters to multi-year contracts during free agency, and re-signed cornerback Jalen Davis, who impressed down the stretch of the 2025 season.
The Bengals have made only four additions this offseason, despite entering free agency among the top 10 teams in available salary cap space. Out of those additions, only one has been on offense as the Bengals signed journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson to serve as Joe Burrow’s backup if Joe Flacco does not return next season.
Now, the team has also let a key contributor walk in free agency, ending his four-year tenure.
Former Cincinnati Bengals Player Signs With Broncos
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that former Cincinnati Bengals safety and special teams contributor Tycen Anderson had signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Denver Broncos.
Anderson was drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, before being signed to a four-year, $3.89 million rookie contract by the Bengals. After missing his entire rookie season as he was placed on injured reserve, Anderson became a key special teams contributor for Cincinnati the following three seasons.
He made 41 appearances for the Bengals, although he never started a game. However, he played 850 special teams snaps in the games he was active for Cincinnati, which were 77.7% of the team’s special teams snaps during that period.
One person who is likely not a fan of the team letting Anderson walk is special teams coach Darrin Simmons. When asked about the possibility of the Bengals re-singing Anderson, Simmons said, “I’d love that. I think it’s a huge, huge factor for us. He’s obviously a good player. I think that he’s an important cog for us, and he knows how I feel about him. We stay in touch a lot and have throughout his career. I’ve got a great affection for him. I have a great deal of trust and admiration for what he does, and it’ll be great to get him back.”
Regarding his departure,Sports Illustrated’s Russell Heltman said, “Cincinnati will have to find a new strong special teamer to replace Anderson. He never earned lower than an 82.6 Pro Football Focus special teams grade with the Bengals.”
Bengals Draft Outlook
Despite Cincinnati’s three major additions on defense, the expectation league-wide is that the Bengals will target another defensive player with their first selection in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.
Even though the team added safety Bryan Cook in free agency, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah believes the team could target another safety to pair alongside Cook. In his most recent mock draft, Jeremiah predicted the Bengals selecting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the No. 10 pick.
Jeremiah wrote,“The Bengals can take the best defensive player available here. Downs has versatility, and his Big Ten pedigree will be well received by Cincinnati’s decision-makers.”
Regarding the hypothetical,Sports Illustrated’s Zach Pressnell said, “Downs is more than a safety. He’s a defensive anchor who’s already drawn comparisons to younger versions of Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu. Considering the Bengals had to try to match up with these legendary safeties, they should know very well how valuable it is to have one on their defense.”