The Cincinnati Bengals will have two of their own highly regarded free agent defensive ends this year. Let’s take a look at how they stack up with some of the other free agent edge players for 2026.
Trey Hendrickson (6’4” 270 lbs.)
Hendrickson only played in parts of seven games during the 2025 season due to injury. He was still able to record 16 tackles and 4 sacks on the year. He had 23 pressures and just a 7.7% missed tackle rate. The 31-year-old posted a 90.0 pass rushing grade and a 56.8 run defense grade.
Joseph Ossai (6’4” 263 lbs.)
Ossai will be turning 26 years old. He returned to Cincinnati on a one-year deal ahead of the 2025 season. This year, he accumulated 43 tackles and 5 sacks on the season. He had a 62.4 pass rush grade and a 70.7 run defense grade. Ossai missed a couple of games late in the season due to injury. He still ended up leading the team with 43 total pressures.
Odafe Oweh (6’5” 257 lbs.)
These early lists typically fall apart rather quickly with extensions and franchise tags for players to remain with their current team. Oweh is likely to be a prime candidate for that happening with him. If he hits the open market, he is going to make a ton of money with how he played after being traded to the Chargers from the Ravens this year. The 27-year-old finished the season with an 81.0 pass rush grade. He had a 64.1 run defense grade. He finished the season with 43 tackles, 51 pressures, and 10.5 sacks.
Dremont Jones (6’3” 281 lbs.)
Jones has the versatility to play on the edge or the interior. He recorded 43 tackles with 7 sacks in 2025. He had a 69.6 pass rush grade and a 57.8 run defense grade. Jones had 19 pressures in 9 games with the Titans. He was then traded to the Ravens for the second half of the season. In 9 games with the Ravens, he tallied 32 pressures. Jones is approaching 30 years old, which is something that typically gives the Bengals some concern with free agents.
Jaelan Phillips (6’5” 263 lbs.)
Phillips will be turning 27 at the end of May. He recorded 53 tackles and 5 sacks between Miami and Philadelphia in 2025. He ended the season with a 76.2 pass rush grade and a 60.3 run defense grade. Phillips generates pressure at a high rate. Racking up 76 total pressures on the year.
Joey Bosa (6’5” 280 lbs.)
Bosa signed a one-year deal with Buffalo in 2025. Could he be looking for a similar short-term contract in 2026? If so, the Bengals should have some interest here. Bosa will be turning 31 this year, but he still recorded 32 tackles, 54 pressures, and 5 sacks on the season. He had an 85.5 pass rush grade, along with a 52.0 run defense grade.
K’Lavon Chaisson (6’3” 245 lbs.)
Chaisson’s season is still ongoing for the Patriots in the playoffs. The 26-year-old currently has 68 pressures, 37 tackles, and 10.5 sacks on the season. He has a 63.0 pass-rush grade and a 48.4 run-defense grade. Chaisson’s lack of size and his 37.8% missed tackle rate are noteworthy.
Kwity Paye (6’2” 265 lbs.)
Paye had just a 56.8 pass rush grade on the season in 2025. He still recorded 38 pressures, 39 tackles, and 4 sacks. Paye recently turned 27 years old. He had a 65.8 run defense grade on the year. The former first round draft selection has spent all five seasons of his career with the Indianapolis Colts.
Jadeveon Clowney (6’5” 255 lbs.)
Clowney will be turning 33 years old in February. Based on his 2025 season, he is showing no signs of slowing down. Clowney finished the season with 41 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 40 pressures. He had impressive PFF grades on the season. He had an 80.6 pass rush grade, along with a 70.6 run defense grade.
Khalil Mack (6’3” 269 lbs.)
Mack is the oldest player on this free agent list, at 35 years old. He put up 42 pressures, 5.5 sacks, and 33 tackles this year. While still a solid season for the veteran, he is not as dominant as he once was. It is also possible that Mack decides to call it a career. If not, someone could still use a guy who had a 67.5 pass rush grade and a 77.2 run defense grade in 2025.
Arden Key (6’5” 240 lbs.)
Key will be turning 30 in February. He had a 56.7 pass rush grade and a 71.1 run defense grade in 2025. He posted 22 tackles, 4 sacks, and 33 pressures on the year. Key has 30.5 career sacks prior to the 2026 season.
Boye Mafe (6’4” 261 lbs.)
Mafe recently turned 27 years old. He is still playing in the conference championship games this coming weekend with Seattle. Mafe had a 68.0 pass rush grade. He also posted a 68.1 run defense grade. He has accumulated 34 tackles, 41 pressures, and 2 sacks so far this year.
Arnold Ebiketie (6’3” 256 lbs.)
Ebiketie is a former 2nd round draft pick for the Atlanta Falcons who recently turned 27 years old. He had a 73.4 pass rush grade. His run defense grade was a 65.2 in 2025. Ebiketie had 36 tackles, 25 pressures, and 2 sacks this year. He has 16.5 sacks through his first four seasons in the NFL.
Other free agent defensive end players of note: AJ Epenesa, Logan Hall, Charles Omenihu, David Ojabo, and Cameron Thomas
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