After looking at some free agent options on the offensive side of the ball, I’ll now flip it over to the defensive side. This is where things will be really interesting for the Bengals, as they have needs all over the defence. Trey Hendrickson, in the end, was not franchise tagged, and is set to walk in free agency. Reportedly, the Bengals are looking to spread the money around, rather than spend $25-$30M on someone like Hendrickson. This will be their chance to really turn things around after a disappointing 2025 season.
DE, Odafe Oweh
The Bengals will have to replace Trey Hendrickson, and Oweh is an intriguing option. While he hasn’t quite put up the numbers that Hendrickson has, he has put up 17.5 sacks over the past 2 seasons, and 30.5 sacks since he was drafted in 2021. Although not his forte, Oweh can hold his own against the run. Further, both PFF and Spotrac have him in the $19.3M AAV range, which should be quite a bit cheaper than Hendrickson, allowing the team to further invest in other help even after adding an impact player like Oweh.
DE, Jaelan Phillips
If the Bengals miss out on Oweh, Phillips is another option. While I am not super fond of the injury history, I do like the player a lot. His 28 career sacks approach Oweh’s production, and he did it in 14 less games. While he isn’t always the greatest against the run, his high end ability as a pass rusher would help fill the void left by Hendrickson. PFF has his value at $15M AAV, while is a bit higher at just over $17.3M. This range is affordable, given the money they are saving by not keeping their own player. You’d hope they can land one of the top guys as a replacement.
DE, Kwity Paye
There is a slight dropoff after the top two guys, in my opinion, but Paye could be a fallback option, should they miss out. His career sack production matches up with the others, but his overall impact has dropped a bit over the last year or two. He did still have 4 sacks this past season, but didn’t put up as much pressure as you’d like. His play against the run, however, is a redeeming quality, as is the upside that he still has. Spotrac has him at over $17.8M AAV, which is a bit high for my taste, but PFF’s $10M projection is a lot better. In that range, he is someone I’d kick the tires on.
LB, Devin Lloyd
The Bengals drafted two LB’s last year, but both flopped bigtime as rookies. While they won’t be given up on after just one season, they also can’t go into 2026 without adding a proven player. Lloyd is a beast in every area. He excels in coverage, he excels against the run, and he excels as a pass rusher. The combination of size, strength, and elite athleticism makes him one of the top players at his position. Spotrac has him at just over $20.1M AAV, while PFF is lower at $16M. This range is a bit higher than the Bengals usually spend on the position, but for an impact player like Lloyd, it would very much be worth it.
LB, Leo Chenal
Chenal is a great fallback option if the Bengals don’t get Lloyd. He is very good in both coverage and against the run. Further, he has been one of the most consistent players over the past few seasons. Somewhat surprisingly, Spotrac only has his market value at $4.3M AAV, while PFF is only a bit higher at $6M. Perhaps this is because he hasn’t always been used in a full time role. But nevertheless, if this range is accurate, Chenal would be a better value signing than Lloyd. He would provide them with an impact LB at a fraction of the price.
LB, Devin Bush
Bush is an interesting one. The start of his career showed a complete bust of a 1st round pick. However, the last two seasons have seen him completely turn things around. Suddenly, the mental side has come together with the physical traits that have always been there. The question is, can he replicate it outside of Cleveland? If so, the Bengals would be getting someone who can make plays in both phases. Spotrac and PFF both have him a bit higher than Chenal, at $8.9M and $12M, respectively. I’d have Chenal rated higher regardless, but Bush is still someone worth checking in on, even if there might be some risk.
DT, DJ Reader
The Bengals missed Reader when he left for Detroit. But he wasn’t quite his former self, with his age and injury history starting to show. Still, the Bengals need interior help against the run, and Reader is still a solid player. At a much cheaper price, a reunion could be good for both sides. Spotrac has him at slightly below $3.87M AAV, while PFF has $4.5M. This range is affordable for the Bengals, and would give them a nice boost in an area of need.
DT, Christian Wilkins
Wilkins only played 5 games in 2024, and missed the entirety of 2025 due to injury. Of course, there is some risk in signing a player like this. However, the is upside, and the payoff would be big if he can recapture his previous form. I’d also expect the price to be on the cheaper side, making a 1 year prove it deal a good risk/reward move.
DT, Calais Campbell
The soon-to-be 40 year old still showed last season that he’s got some gas left in the tank. He can bring it in both phases, and his experience and leadership are things that the young guys can lean on to help grow their game. Spotrac has him at close to $11M AAV, but PFF is lower at $6M. Somewhere in the middle would be a nice landing spot for the Bengals.
DT, John Franklin-Myers
Franklin-Myers isn’t the most dynamic player, but he is pretty consistent in both phases. He was part of an impressive Broncos defensive line, which helped them reach the AFC Championship. A rotation with BJ Hill could allow both to play at their best while relieving pressure from each other. Spotrac has him at close to $7.9M AAV, while PFF is higher at $15M. If Spotrac’s number is accurate, this is one to consider.
DT, David Onyemata
The veteran is one of the better run defenders in the league, and would give the Bengals a nice boost in an area of need. A clear upgrade over Slaton and would allow McKinnley Jackson to work behind him and continue his development. Onyemata won’t put up big sack production, but he can push the pocket and still be disruptive as a pass rusher.
S, Bryan Cook
Cook is coming off a breakout season that will earn him a hefty contract. He is a reliable tackler and run defender, and showed a lot of improvement in coverage this past season. And this isn’t a rags to riches story either. Even when not playing at a top level, Cook has still been pretty solid before that, which indicates the likelihood of a higher floor, even with some regression. The Bengals have a big need at safety, and the complete game that Cook plays would provide a boost for the secondary. PFF has him at $12M AAV, while Spotrac is higher at around $14.1M. However, it would not surprise to see the price ultimately come in lower. Historically, the safety market sometimes ends up on the cold side, and a strong draft class at the position has some predicting more of the same.
S, Kamren Curl
Curl was great against the run this past season, but also made some waves during the playoffs for his coverage. He has improved in each of the last few years, and his general consistency in both phases should help the Bengals defence raise its floor. PFF has him at $8.75M AAV, while Spotrac is just over $10M. Like I mentioned above, some are projecting the safety market to be on the cooler side, so it would not be a surprise if the number is even lower. Worth looking into for the Bengals.
S, Ar’Darius Washington
This is more of an upside play than someone you’re counting on to fix a hole. An achilles injury plagued his 2025 season, but he was quietly very good in 2024 for the Ravens. He can play as a single high or provide coverage in the slot, despite being undersized. His high end athleticism is something he leans on, and has allowed him to make plays in the past. PFF has him at an AAV of just $4M, while Spotrac’s market value for him is just over $1.8M. He is someone I’d be interested in regardless of other signings, as there is a lot of upside to go with little risk.
CB, Roger McCreary
The Bengals are working on extending their top two CB’s, DJ Turner and Daxton Hill, but will be in need of a slot guy. Jalen Davis will be a candidate, but you want more competition there. McCreary fits the bill as a slot guy. He is also still on the younger side, has upside, and has had solid moments throughout his career. Being stuck in a tough situation with the Titans may have contributed to some of his lower points, as he really looked revitalized after a trade to the Rams. PFF has his price at $3M AAV, while Spotrac is higher at $6.57M. If the Bengals can land him somewhere in the middle, it would be a nice pickup for the secondary.
CB, Joshua Williams
The Bengals also need more depth at the position. Williams didn’t play much last season, but was quietly a consistent player for the Chiefs in previous years. PFF has his value at just $1.25M, which is a bargain for someone reliable enough to come off the bench and hold his own.
DE, Malcolm Koonce
We’re circling back to a few DE’s here. Koonce is one who signed a 1 year deal after missing all of 2024 due to an ACL injury. The quality season he had in 2023 led to some intrigue. However, while he was decent, he didn’t quite match the version of himself from before the injury. That being said, sometimes lineman take an extra year to really get back to their previous form. Now healthy going into the offseason, it would be an interesting flyer for the Bengals. PFF has him at $6M, while Spotrac has his market value at about $9.911M AAV. With the injury history, I could see it being closer to the lower one, which could open up the potential for a value signing.
DE, Jadeveon Clowney
Clowney always seems to bounce around, but is solid or better wherever he goes. He was able to still make an impact as a pass rusher, putting up 8.5 sacks. And he is actually quite solid against the run, which is an aspect of his game that often flies under the radar. PFF has him at $10M, while Spotrac’s AAV is around $5.7M. In that range, this is a pickup I would love.
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