Bengals’ updated list of pending 2026 free agents features an unsolved problem and a new variable to the mix

Plenty of Bengals players will be free agents next year.

John Sheeran — Cincinnati Bengals News Writer

Nov 8, 2025 10:57 AM EST

The Cincinnati Bengals can only sit on their hands at 3-6 this week as they are on their bye week. This is also the midpoint of the regular season, and while the odds of a playoff push in Cincinnati aren’t strong, it also isn’t mathematically impossible.

The Bengals have many pending free agents in 2026, ranging from prominent names, to polarizing starters, and lesser known reserves. Cincinnati always positions itself to be in good standing with the salary cap, but for other reasons, several players hitting the open market won’t come back to the club.

Below you’ll find a look at all of the 2026 free agents for the Bengals:

Bengals’ total 2026 free agents: 20

Unrestricted Free Agents (UFAs) are the free agents you think of initially. They’re the ones who end up signing the largest contracts every March. If UFAs are not re-signed by the beginning of the new league year, they are free to sign with any team at the start of free agency and legal tampering.

The Bengals have 14 players slated for unrestricted free agency this year, notably led by Hendrickson and Flacco.

Hendrickson’s future has been a topic of conversation for, well, this entire calendar year. Cincinnati put a bandaid on the situation by nearly doubling his salary for the season, but a decision regarding the franchise tag will have to be made when late February turns to early March.

Flacco is an interesting case. He’d make a great backup for Joe Burrow, as evidenced by how his first four starts have gone in his stead, but will the 40-year old look for another place to start? That’s a question for him and the market to decide. The Bengals certainly didn’t expect him to become a free agent for them to consider.

Players such as Ossai, Taylor-Britt, and Stone aren’t likely to return as the club will want to enact more turnover on the defensive side of the ball. Fant could be an intriguing player to engage in re-signing.

Restricted Free Agents (RFAs) are players with three accrued seasons and an expired contract. They are allowed to negotiate with other teams even if they’re offered an RFA contract tender. Those other teams can sign the RFA to an offer sheet, but Cincinnati would have the right to match the offer. If the Bengals decide against matching the offer, depending on the tender type, they can receive draft compensation for the player.

There are more QBs in the picture than just Burrow and Flacco, and both are RFAs. Browning’s downfall as the No. 2 QB may very well have him on the outside looking in next year. Clifford is nothing more than an emergency body at this point.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFAs) are free agents who have yet to accrue three seasons in the NFL. Cincinnati holds exclusive negotiating rights with its ERFAs. If an ERFA is tendered a qualifying contract offer before free agency, that player can’t refuse that offer. That player can reach unrestricted free agency only if the team does not give a qualifying offer.

All four of Tinsley, Grandy, Heyward, and Jules could receive the ERFA tender and no one would bat an eye. They’ve all earned roster spots this year, and Tinsley specifically is making the most of his limited chances.

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John Sheeran