It was a jam-packed Monday of “negotiating” for the NFL, and the Cincinnati Bengals ended up agreeing to terms with safety Bryan Cook and defensive end Boye Mafe.

There’s still more work to be done. Cincinnati is firmly in the market for a linebacker, defensive tackle, and another defensive end shouldn’t be out of the question.

Let’s examine the top options remaining at these positions as the second day of the negotiating window begins.

Leo Chenal can reunite with Bryan Cook as Bengals’ new linebacker

The Bengals made a push for LB Devin Lloyd Monday afternoon and fell short, but Leo Chenal is far from an underwhelming pivot. The 25-year old is the exact kind of backer they talked about adding earlier in the offseason, and already has on-field chemistry playing in front of Cook. Chenal is the most logical signing the Bengals can make in the second wave of free agency.

Alternative option: Kaden Ellis — While Ellis is four years older than Chenal, the latter should hope to be as good as the former still is on this side of 30. Ellis brings a similar skillset as Chenal but with more experience and therefore more production.

Logan Hall is Cincinnati’s best option for a defensive tackle with upside

Logan Hall was one of the Bengals’ top targets in the 2022 NFL Draft, but just wasn’t higher on the board than Dax Hill. He’s now 25 and developed into an interior rusher who wins more than his pressure and sack production would indicate. The former second-round pick is also well-versed playing different gap alignments, and that versatility should make him even more valuable to Cincinnati.

Alternative option: DJ Reader — Reader was the Bengals’ splash free agent signing on Tuesday of the negotiating window back in 2020. He’s six years older and not quite the same player, but could still make Cincinnati’s defensive line room better with the leadership he took with him when he left in 2024.

Arnold Ebiketie would complement Boye Mafe off the edge

While Mafe can be relied on all three downs, Arnold Ebiketie’s slight frame may limit how much he can see the field for the Bengals. Just make sure the 27-year old gets his chances at rushing the passer, because outside of Trey Hendrickson, there isn’t another available EDGE who wins more as a pass rusher according to Pro Football Focus. Ebiketie would be a great complementary piece to round out Cincinnati’s evolving group of edge defenders.

Alternative option: K’Lavon Chaisson — The former college teammate of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase is entering free agency for the third consecutive year and may be looking at another short-term deal. He posted a good amount of sacks during his lone season with the New England Patriots, and can bring that finishing ability to a new-look rotation of EDGEs for Cincinnati.

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John Sheeran