ESPN analyst sees Cincinnati as the best fit for 2 free agents who’ve helped beat the Bengals at their best
The Kansas City Chiefs have two players who would fit well in the Bengals’ defense.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ pursuit of bettering their defense this offseason will require multiple free agent signings. At least one starter is needed on all three levels, and waiting until the 2026 NFL Draft to fill that many holes is not a recipe for success.
Finding the right players for the right price will be the challenge, as it is every year, but two potential answers could come from a team Cincinnati knows far too well, and has recent trouble defeating them.
Chiefs LB Leo Chenal, S Bryan Cook tabbed as fits for Bengals
The Bengals have lost their last three meetings to the Kansas City Chiefs, and linebacker Leon Chenal and safety Bryan Cook have been factors in all three contests. They were just rookies the last time Cincinnati defeated Kansas City at the peak of the Chiefs’ dynasty in 2022, but the current three-game winning streak began later in the 2022-23 postseason when Chenal and Cook helped secure revenge against the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game.
Now that both are impending free agents and the Chiefs need to go to work clearing salary cap space, they could look for other opportunities. ESPN analyst Matt Bowen projects Chenal and Cook as fits with Cincinnati.
“With his ability to pressure and walk up into the front, Chenal would give defensive coordinator Al Golden more flexibility within his game plans. In four seasons with the Chiefs, Chenal recorded 193 total tackles, seven sacks and 28 pressures.” — Bowen on Chenal
Chenal, who won’t turn 26 until October, was originally a third-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft. He’s started most of Kansas City’s games since his second season in 2023. Cook, a second-rounder from the same class, has started every game since 2024, and is also a Cincinnati native who played at the University of Cincinnati.
“With Geno Stone heading to free agency, the Bengals could look to Cook, a versatile safety for the Chiefs in 2025 who can play from depth or spin down to the front. The top-rated free agent at his position, I see Cook as an upgrade for a Bengals defense that allowed 233.8 passing yards per game last season (26th).” — Bowen on Cook
The Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time in 11 years last season, but Chenal and Cook each played in huge games as winners of two Super Bowls. Cincinnati values playoff and championship experience in free agent additions, so on top of being schematic fits in Bowen’s eyes, they each check another important box for the Bengals.
Cincinnati will absolutely be looking at linebackers and safeties next month when free agency begins. Expect Chenal and Cook to be likely targets should K.C. let them hit the market.
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