We’re getting closer and closer to NFL free agency, and the Cincinnati Bengals have 16 players with expiring contracts. Who will re-sign with the team, and who will leave when the 2026 league year begins? We’ll go through all impending free agents before the madness begins.
The Bengals have three players from their 2022 NFL Draft class set to hit free agency this offseason, including a former starter whose career has been a tale of two very different halves at a very valuable position.

Cam Taylor-Britt

Position: Cornerback
Age for 2027 Season: 27
Incoming NFL Year: 5th
Previous AAV: $1,488,183
2026 Snap %: 32%

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Cam Tayl0r-Britt was drafted by Cincinnati in the second round of the 2022 draft. He missed a good portion of his rookie season due to injury, but was counted on to start when he got healthy and finished the year on a high note. He carried that momentum into his second season in 2023, snagging four interceptions in only 12 games, and playing like an ascending No. 1 corner.

That proved to be the peak of his time as a Bengal.

Taylor-Britt was mid-game benched twice in 2024 despite starting every week, and just wasn’t showing the necessary signs of growth in all facets. His roller coaster season turned 2025 into the ultimate prove-it year, and while he was a Week 1 starter, he was quickly overshadowed by DJ Turner II and found himself as a rotational player for the first half of the year. He suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also plead guilty last month to two separate reckless driving charges from the last year.

Contract History and Projection

Taylor-Britt’s four-year, $5,952,730 rookie contract is set to expire in March. He has yet to sign an extension or veteran contract of any kind.

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Spotrac.com’s calculated market value for Taylor-Britt is a three-year, $27,486,600 contract, which would rank 32nd among CBs in the league in terms of Average Annual Value (AAV).

Prediction

Taylor-Britt was already falling out of favor with the previous defensive coordinator, and a change in coaching didn’t seem to instill any meaningful impact. The last two seasons have been massively disappointing for a player once considered a long-term extension candidate on a team that went to back-to-back AFC Championship Games.

Consider the fact that both Turner and Dax Hill will also be vying for pay days this offseason, and there just doesn’t seem to be any reason to keep Taylor-Britt around anymore. He needs a fresh start, and the Bengals have their future at the position in front of them.

I predict Cincinnati won’t give Taylor-Britt a legitimate offer to stay, or a simple “good luck” will be sent his way.

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This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Feb 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.