Jan. 17, 2026, 7:13 p.m. ET
The Cincinnati Bengals might be major players in free agency this offseason.
Free of the major contract extension drama that has plagued the franchise over the last few years, it sounds like Duke Tobin and the Bengals understand the need to add outside help.
So, ESPN’s Aaron Schatz predicting the Bengals target some major names on the open market isn’t just the usual offseason buzz during quiet times:
“The Bengals will sign more than one veteran edge rusher, such as Joey Bosa, Yetur Gross-Matos, D.J. Wonnum or Charles Omenihu. As mentioned above, the Bengals will have to attack the edge rusher free agent class with volume.”
RELATED:Duke Tobin’s anticipated Bengals address underwhelms
Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
It’s hard to know if Joey Bosa, specifically, would be a guy the Bengals target. Before this year, and dating back to 2021, really, he’s had a tough time staying healthy. He’ll be 31 years old in July.
Charles Omenihu is a good nod for the Bengals too, though, as he’s only 28 and versatile enough to play in various spots along a rotation.
Either way, these are the types of mid-tier names who can join deep rotations the Bengals are likely to target. They will likely want to add one or two names to the first-round tandem of Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy.
That is, of course, if the Bengals truly lose both Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai to free agency.
RELATED:Bengals players slated to become free agents