Feb. 15, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET
It’s no secret the Cincinnati Bengals will be on the hunt for defensive line help capable of playing inside this offseason.
The Bengals have Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai heading to free agency, sure. But first-rounders Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart are the long-term plans there.
Since DJ Reader left years ago, though, the Bengals haven’t been able to recover on the interior.
That’s one reason Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton says Denver Broncos defender John Franklin-Myers is one of the most important signings the Bengals could make this offseason:
“At 6’4″, 288 pounds, John Franklin-Myers has lined up in different spots across defensive lines, on the interior and on the end. In a three-down role, he’s exactly what Cincinnati needs up front to help out the pass rush and run defense. Over the last two seasons with the Denver Broncos, the 29-year-old has recorded 65 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 44 pressures, and 14 tackles for loss.”
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While 29 years old, Franklin-Myers is a good example of what the Bengals might hope to do in free agency.
When it comes to outside additions, proven veterans who can get in the mix at a problem area, but not break the bank, feel like a must. Spotrac has Franklin-Myers’ market value at roughly $7.9 million per year over two seasons, so it would work.
The Bengals still hope Kris Jenkins Jr. can be a key part of the future, but the rotation needs help. TJ Slaton looks like a cut candidate, so adding more to help Jenkins and BJ Hill seems like an obvious free agency priority.
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