The Cincinnati Bengals have already started making offseason moves this week by signing CFL wide receiver Dohnte Meyers and retaining nearly 20 of their own players to minimum-level contracts. These are the moves that lay the ground work for the main items on the offseason agenda.
The Bengals will bring back more players in about two months when the 2026 league year is on the horizon. Below is an updated list of players with expiring contracts Cincinnati will need to extend, re-sign, or let walk.
Bengals’ total 2026 free agents: 17Unrestricted free agents: 15
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Unrestricted Free Agents (UFAs) are the standard free agents you think of when March comes around. A player needs to accrue at least four seasons in the NFL in order to reach unrestricted free agency. If UFAs are not re-signed by the beginning of the new league year, they are free to sign with any team at the start of free agency and legal tampering.
The Bengals have 15 players slated for unrestricted free agency according to Over The Cap. Trey Hendrickson stands out as the best player on the list despite a core muscle injury taking him out for most of the 2025 season. He’s likely going to receive the largest contract out of all the players listed above, but unless Cincinnati places the franchise tag on him, it’s highly unlikely the deal will come from inside Paycor Stadium. The split between Hendrickson and the Bengals is a virtual guarantee after years of discontent over his contract which nearly reached a boiling point last year.
Hendrickson’s imminent departure will free up cap space to re-sign others, like Dalton Risner. Cincinnati started Risner for seven consecutive weeks to end the year at right guard, and the 30-year old was exactly what the offensive line needed at that position. He’s looking like the highest priority for a pre-free agency extension. Risner himself made it known he wants it to happen. It’s the easiest decision the Bengals can make before free agency starts.
Joe Flacco may have the toughest fate to predict. Cincinnati would like him back as Joe Burrow’s backup, but if the soon-to-be 41-year old gets a chance to compete for a starting gig, his choice will be clear. Joseph Ossai will also have options which will likely pay him more than what the Bengals will likely offer him to come back. interest
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Restricted free agents: 1Street free agents: 1
Cincinnati took care of most of their free agents who weren’t able to enter unrestricted free agency. Browning remains as the lone Restricted Free Agent (RFA) as he only has accrued three seasons in the league. Jaxson Kirkland is a special case since he’s still on the Practice Squad/Injured list. He’s also accrued three years, but is classified as a Street Free Agent (SFA) by Over The Cap.
Browning being bumped down the depth chart for Flacco was a damning blow for the guy who backed up Burrow the previous two seasons. Cincinnati is set to move on if Flacco comes back. Kirkland has been with the team since 2023 and could come back on a minimum deal.
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This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Jan 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.