The Cincinnati Bengals weren’t done making moves in free agency, after all.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bengals are signing former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger to a one-year deal, and the team announced Thursday morning that it added cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor on a one-year contract through 2026.
Both positions were expected to be areas the Bengals would target in the draft, and while these signings don’t necessarily change those plans, they do offer more flexibility.
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New York Jets cornerback Ja'Sir Taylor (36) during pregame of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ella Hall) Ella Hall
Taylor especially fills a need at the slot cornerback spot, where only Jalen Davis returns. A fifth-year player who originally was a sixth-round draft pick of the L.A. Chargers in 2022, he played in 57 games for the Chargers before being traded to the New York Jets in November. With the Jets, he played in eight games, bringing his career totals to 65 regular-season games with 12 starts, 76 tackles, one tackle for loss, 15 passes defended and one interception, along with 21 tackles on special teams.
The 30-year-old Dugger is entering his seventh season after joining the league in 2020 as a second-round draft pick of the New England Patriots. He played 81 games with 69 starts for New England before he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in October 2025.
Dugger, who has played both strong and free safety, started nine games for Pittsburgh and recorded two interceptions and 42 tackles, while allowing 17 receptions on 30 targets. He joins a safety group that includes newcomer Bryan Cook and returning strong safety Jordan Battle.
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Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kyle Dugger (29) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard) David Richard