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 know who they have in their starting cornerbacks, but behind the top three lies a mix of young players with varying levels of job security. Cincinnati has two CBs set to hit free agency, and while one is likely on his way out, the other has a better chance of sticking around.
Marco Wilson
Position: Cornerback
Age for 2027 Season: 27
Incoming NFL Year: 6th
Previous AAV: $1.52 million
2026 Snap %: 2%
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Marco Wilson originally joined Cincinnati during the 2024 season. The Bengals claimed him off waivers a day after the New England Patriots waived him following Week 11, the week DJ Turner II suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. He appeared in Cincy’s final six games that season, playing 36 snaps as a reserve cornerback.
The Bengals re-signed Wilson during the first week of free agency last year, giving him a chance to make the 53-man roster. He lasted through final cuts as one of six corners to make the initial team. He appeared in four games throughout the first two-thirds of the season before being placed on the Reserve/Injured list in Week 13.
Contract History
Wilson signed a one-year, $1.52 million deal last year which included $150,000 in guaranteed money. This was his first veteran contract he signed in the NFL as he was drafted back in 2021 and played out his original four-year rookie deal with three different teams due to the waiver system.
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Prediction
Wilson impressed the Bengals in very limited action back in 2024, which is why he was brought back as a depth piece in 2025. He played about the same amount of snaps in his first full year with the club due to injury, so the evaluation on him hasn’t really changed.
With the departure of Cam Taylor-Britt imminent, it would seem inconsequential to bring Wilson back on a similar, minimum deal for depth purposes. The position is naturally goes through a lot of midseason turnover, so having as many bodies as you trust available never hurts. He’s still 26 as of this posting as well. I expect him to be brought back, or else a similar veteran comes in to replace him.
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Bengals Free Agent Profiles
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This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Feb 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.