NFL free agency is off and running, and we’re keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2026 offseason, with analysis from our NFL nation reporters and grades from our experts.
The new league year begins Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, which means free agents can be made official after that. The first round of the 2026 NFL draft begins April 23 on ESPN.
Here’s a breakdown of every 2026 NFL free agent signing by the Cincinnati Bengals and how each will impact the upcoming season:
What it means: The Bengals got on the board during the first day of free agency by filling a big need.
Cincinnati was looking for a starting safety to pair alongside Jordan Battle and improve the secondary. Some of that improvement will be contingent on the growth of the defensive front seven. But Cook gives Cincinnati a sure-handed tackler.
He had the fourth-lowest missed tackle rate among safeties with at least 750 defensive snaps last season, according to Next Gen Stats.
What it means: The Bengals desperately needed to boost their pass rush with Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai entering free agency. They addressed that need on Day 1 of free agency by adding Mafe, who is fresh off helping the Seattle Seahawks win a Super Bowl.
Mafe had just two sacks in 2025. However, he was eighth in pass rush win rate among edge rushers (Next Gen Stats) and was a key piece for a Seattle defensive line that was a big reason why the Seahawks lifted the Lombardi Trophy.
