Bengals Free Agency Predictions: What does being aggressive look like, NFC team to monitor, and the big splash
Cincinnati is expected to address its biggest weaknesses in free agency. Here are the positions and names to note.
It’s here! The two-day negotiating window for NFL free agency starts this afternoon at 12:00 p.m. ET, and the Cincinnati Bengals can agree to terms with new free agents starting at that time. Deals will not become official until the 2026 League Year begins at 4:00 p.m. ET Wednesday, but the work to get there starts today.
Here are four predictions for how Cincinnati’s 2026 free agency period will go down.
Bengals will land at least three new starters for their defense
There’s been an expectation of aggression for the Bengals this week. That may not mean they will sign the best available players for their needs, but it does mean they will be actively trying to fill as many of their holes as possible in a quick manner.
Defensive end, linebacker, and safety are the most likely positions Cincinnati will target, with defensive tackle being another with fewer options to choose from. The Bengals will add to at least three of these positions, and may do so before tampering window closes and free agency officially opens.
Targeted aggression is required to improve in free agency. Anything less for Cincy will be considered failure.
At least one former Packer will be added
The Green Bay Packers have two impending free agents and a possible salary cap casualty to monitor for the Bengals. Linebacker Quay Walker, expected to sign elsewhere, is one of the top players at his position set to hit the market and brings some pass rush productivity with his game as a solid run defender. In Cincinnati’s pursuit of a combo backer, he makes sense as a big swing.
On the edge, Kingsley Enegbare is one of the more affordable options and comes with familiarity of being coached by Bengals defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery. Rashan Gary also has experience under Montgomery and may come cheaper than the contract he’s currently under if he gets cut. Cincy signed T.J. Slaton Jr. last year from Green Bay, and landing another player Montgomery can vouch for is probable at the very least.
The big swing will be at safety
The Bengals have to sign a safety, perhaps more than any other position of need, and the market seems to have been set at $12 million for the top options after Kamren Curl’s extension. Any deal over $12 million would constitute as a big swing for Cincinnati after playing it chill last year.
Bryan Cook of the Kansas City Chiefs is the big name to watch. Can the Bengals sway the Cincy native to come back home for the next few years? It may cost them more to sign him than anyone else on the market unless a hometown discount is possible.
Should Cook become too expensive, offering Nick Cross the deal instead would probably get the job done. Cross has been linked to the Bengals and has the profile they usually target in free agency.
Watch out for cut players
Cincinnati has incentive to target players who were cut instead of hitting free agency due to expired contracts. Trey Hendrickson will leave and sign a lucrative deal, and securing a 2027 NFL Draft compensatory pick hinges on the club not signing as many qualifying free agents as the number of those who leave the Bengals. Players who were released do not count toward the comp pick formula, and therefore would allow Cincinnati to fill needs without getting in the way of an extra draft pick next year.
LB Tremaine Edmunds, OL Mekhi Becton, and soon-to-be cuts like Javon Hargrave and Gary all make sense for the Bengals.
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