Ranking Bengals 2026 free agents by re-sign priority

Big changes could be coming to the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason.

Those changes won’t occur in Zac Taylor’s coaching staff or Duke Tobin’s player personnel department, though, so the biggest shifts figure to come on the defensive side of the ball.

Before the Bengals start the draft process in earnest and pursue outside free agents in a few months, the front office first needs to figure out whether to bring back each of its own free agents.

The first name on the list, of course, is Trey Hendrickson.

Here’s a quick ranking of the players the Bengals should bring back this offseason.

DE Trey Hendrickson

Look, reporting says this isn’t happening. But until that becomes official, we have to list an All-Pro edge rusher as tops on the list of must-bring-back players. Maybe that’s on a franchise tag or even less after Hendrickson has a quiet free-agent market, considering he’s 31 and coming off a season-ending injury. That might be best for both parties. The Bengals have some hope for Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart, but is anyone really going to complain if Hendrickson is back as part of the rotation?

DE Joseph Ossai

The Bengals got a prove-it deal done with Ossai last year. They don’t often get much else done with agent David Mulugheta. Ossai earned a longer contract and is still just 25. He’s a great rotational piece, but it’ll need to be at a team-friendly price.

G Dalton Risner

Risner wants to be back. Guys like Amarius Mims want him back. He’s 30 years old, but Risner got adapted and eventually locked down a starting spot. He was a piece of the best offensive line in the Joe Burrow era to date. Why create a new need by letting his likely affordable contract go to another team?

QB Joe Flacco

Sure, the 41-year-old Flacco would prefer to start somewhere. But the Bengals can keep a serious need off the board if they find a way to bring him back. There’s something to be said for how his veteran presence can positively impact Joe Burrow, never mind his obvious ability on the field when needed.

The rest (no particular order)

Some of these guys, like Tanner Hudson and Jalen Davis, are obvious lesser-known names to bring back.

Names like Geno Stone and Noah Fant made too many critical mistakes to not be replaced, though, while big-name Cam Taylor-Britt got benched during his big chance this year before a serious injury.

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Ranking Bengals 2026 free agents by re-sign priority

Ranking Bengals 2026 free agents by re-sign priority

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