Predicting what will happen with the 5 remaining Bengals free agents who have yet to sign new contracts
Joe Flacco and Co. are still looking for new contracts.
NFL free agency is officially into its second week Wednesday afternoon as the 2026 League Year began exactly one week ago.
From a veteran player standpoint, the Cincinnati Bengals’ roster is nearly settled at 68 before around 20 rookies will join the fray at the end of April from the 2026 NFL Draft and college free agency right after it. There are also a handful of Bengals players from last year’s roster who are still looking for a new contract.
Let’s try to predict what will happen with each of them.
S Tycen Anderson
Prediction: Signs with another team
Tycen Anderson has been one of the most valuable special teams players for Cincinnati over the last few years, but he’s rarely seen the field on defense as a safety. I don’t think there’s much demand for him to be a defensive contributor on a new team due to his lack of experience, but there are still safeties with special teams backgrounds getting multi-year deals and Anderson should be pushing for that. I’m not expecting the Bengals to match that kind of offer. If he does come back, it’ll likely be a one-year deal.
LB Brian Asamoah
Prediction: Signs with another team
Brian Asamoah joined Cincinnati in the middle of last season and immediately contributed on special teams when its linebacker depth was depleted. Returning on a one-year deal is entirely possible, especially if Anderson leaves, but there’s no rush to bring him back and the Bengals may want to get a bit younger there outside of a potential external signing.
QB Joe Flacco
Prediction: Re-signs
This may be a bit bold, but I do think Joe Flacco will find his way back to the Queen City. Opportunities for him starting have dwindled dramatically over the past week, and while he will take all the time he needs to wait for something to open up, it is telling to me how no team in need of a stop-gap solution has called him up. He knows he fits well with the Bengals’ offense, and Joe Burrow’s durability has become a known concern. I think this eventually gets done barring an unexpected development elsewhere.
G Lucas Patrick
Prediction: Signs with another team
This is probably a very 50-50 situation, as the Bengals certainly don’t mind aging offensive linemen, but Lucas Patrick also didn’t do much last year when given the chance to play. His own injuries hindered his chances at starting, and the Bengals can find someone much younger to develop as a backup for multiple interior offensive line spots for the same cost.
DE Cam Sample
Prediction: Signs with another team
Cincinnati re-signed Cam Sample right after the official start of free agency last year, and the defense needs another body at defensive end right now. If Sample hasn’t come back yet, the odds of him returning at all appear to be slim. The Bengals will surely look at the draft for further options to pair with Shemar Stewart behind starters Boye Mafe and Myles Murphy.
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Bengals Free Agency Tracker: Extensions, re-signings, new additions, and departures from Cincinnati’s roster
Stay up to date with every free agency decision the Cincinnati Bengals make in 2026.
