The Cincinnati Bengals have a lot of work to do on the defensive side of the ball to bring it up to being in the same ballpark as the quality of the offense. The gulf between the two is actually so large that it may take more than one offseason to bring them together.
Trey Hendrickson has been the big name thrown around. He is the biggest name on the Bengals’ roster that could hit free agency, but that doesn’t mean he’s the only name.
Here are several more pending free agents the Bengals should re-sign not named Trey Hendrickson (in no particular order).
Joseph Ossai, Edge
Ossai always seems to be on the verge of breaking out as a great pass rusher. He seems to have all the right stuff to be a double-digit sack guy, but the most sacks he’s ever had in a single season is five, which is how many he had over the last two years. He wouldn’t shape the defense in a way Hendrickson sticking around for another year potentially could, but if Hendrickson is gone, Ossai being back could help lessen that blow.
Maybe with consistent playing time, he could figure it out?
Joe Flacco, QB
If you told me I’d add Flacco to the list this time last year, I would have told you you’re crazy, but here we are. After looking competent when called upon in 2023, Jake Browning looked like he forgot how to play football in 2025. The Bengals traded for Flacco, and he righted the ship (at least offensively). Browning is a restricted free agent, and Flacco seems like he has another year in him. Hopefully, he’d be up to holding Burrow’s clipboard and not playing a meaningful snap (hopefully) in 2026.
Dalton Risner, G
The Bengals brought in Risner as a free agent on a one-year deal in 2025, and he was a breath of fresh air at the guard position, which hasn’t been great. He allowed only two sacks and started the majority of the season. He also seemed to help in right tackle Amarius Mims’ development. Burrow needs stability in front of him, and signing Risner on a multi-year deal will help give it to him.
Cam Taylor-Britt, CB
There is no question that CTB took a step back in 2025. He was benched multiple times and definitely regressed from where he started his career. That’s the thing, though—he was good at one point. Really good. Two years ago, CTB had four interceptions, broke up another five passes, and had a PFF coverage score of 70.3. I’m not sure what happened, but that guy is maybe still in there somewhere. After the season he had, he likely wouldn’t be too expensive, and, at worst, could be a depth piece.
Jalen Davis, CB
The former 2018 undrafted free agent has had a long career to this point, but the 30-year-old DB has rarely been on anything more than a minimum deal or a practice squad salary, so he should be easy for the Bengals to keep. He can play on the boundary or in the slot, though he’s been more effective in the latter and gave Cincinnati some nice production there down the stretch last season. PFF has him getting a one-year, $1.9 million deal, which sounds like a fair deal for both sides.
Tycen Anderson, S
Anderson hasn’t been able to crack the starting lineup, but he’s been a great special teams ace. Maybe he can get some more time on the field with the defense—because Geno Stone isn’t coming back—but continuity is a big deal, and so are special teams. This is another guy who won’t break the bank and won’t make many headlines, but he’ll do more good than most realize for Darrin Simmons.
Who makes your list?
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