Bengals finally address one of their biggest weaknesses and fill out their 90-man roster in the process
The Cincinnati Bengals have claimed linebacker Swayze Bozeman off waivers. Bozeman is the first non-rookie addition to the Bengals’ linebacking corps this offseason. Undrafted free agent safety Isaiah Nwokobia has also been signed.
It took almost exactly two months since the beginning of free agency, but the Cincinnati Bengals have added a linebacker with NFL experience.
The Bengals have claimed LB Swayze Bozeman off waivers and signed undrafted free agent saftey Isaiah Nwokobia to the roster. The additions bring the offseason roster to the 90-player maximum.
Bengals finally add a linebacker
Linebacker was thought to be a major need for Cincinnati this offseason. Incumbent starters Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter struggled as rookies last year, and adding experience to the group made plenty of sense.
The Bengals had free agent targets in mind at the position, but their guys went elsewhere and they pivoted accordingly. There were also early-round prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft who had high grades from the club, but again, a different path was taken.
Knight and Carter are expected to maintain their starting statuses entering the 2026 season. Bozeman won’t interfere with those plans if he’s to be the player he’s been through two NFL seasons.
Who is Swayze Bozeman?
Bozeman was signed out of Southern Mississippi as a UDFA by the Kansas City Chiefs following the 2024 draft. He started the 2024 season on the practice squad and eventually played in six games, including Super Bowl LVIII and Kansas City’s other two postseason contests. He only appeared in one game on defense, but played 109 special teams snaps during his six appearances.
The Chicago Bears signed Swayze to a futures contract five days after the Chiefs’ Super Bowl defeat. He played in all three of Chicago’s preseason games, but was cut shortly afterwards. The New York Giants signed him to their practice squad before the regular season. He appeared in six games for New York, playing 104 snaps on special teams and 35 on defense.
Swayze is entering his third year in the league with his fourth team. He doesn’t have much experience playing on defense, but could be an asset on special teams. He projects as depth behind Knight and Carter.
Another UDFA signing
Nwokobia was originally reported as a college free agent signing of the Bengals, but was not included with the 10 that signed prior to Day 1 of rookie minicamp Friday morning. He’ll join the rest of the rookie class Saturday morning.
Nwokobia played five years at SMU and started 43 games for the Mustangs. He’s 23 years old and joins a safety group that has added free agents Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger already this offseason.
Any other additions Cincinnati may make will have to be countered with subtracting a player from its roster unless the club gets an exemption to carry an extra player.