March 7, 2026, 9:33 a.m. ET

The Cincinnati Bengals enter NFL free agency with needs across the roster and the resources necessary to go get help. 

After not using the $30.2 million franchise tag on Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals have roughly $47.2 million in free cap space before any other cash-saving moves like cuts. 

Here’s a quick rundown of the most realistic free-agent targets for the Bengals at each position. 

QBJoe FlaccoMarcus Mariota Tyler HuntleyNeed a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!

The Bengals would love Joe Flacco back, but he’s going to take his time looking for a starting job. The backup outlook around the NFL is a mess. Someone like Mariota might be the next best option. 

RBJ.K. DobbinsKenneth GainwellIsiah Pacheco

With Chase Brown and Samaje Perine rostered, the Bengals don’t really need help. But a short-yardage back who can spot start, like Isiah Pacheco, might be interesting. 

WR Keenan Allen Marquise BrownTyquan Thornton

This is a sneaky need for the Bengals this offseason. Upgrading at third wideout over Andre Iosivas would make sense. Keenan Allen is a savvy veteran going ring-hunting right now, while Tyquan Thornton is an interesting field-stretching option. 

TE Isaiah LikelyDavid NjokuCharlie Kolar

Quietly, a huge need. Mike Gesicki is a big slot wideout, and there’s no guarantee Erick All Jr. overcomes the injury bug. This could be a spot they spend a little more than expected, especially with names like David Njoku out there. 

OL  Wyatt TellerTeven JenkinsJames Daniels

The Bengals already re-signed Dalton Risner to keep the same starting five returning for another season for the first time in the Joe Burrow era. This could leave them looking at sturdy veteran backups like Wyatt Teller or even under-30 former high draft picks with a little upside like James Daniels. 

EdgeJadeveon ClowneyCameron JordanPreston Smith

This is a weird one. The Bengals let free agency’s top player at this position go. But because of Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy as former first-rounders, they don’t project to spend big on it. Names like Odafe Oweh (limited run as a breakout after a trade) and Jaelan Phillips (injuries) have big red flags around them to go with big dollar amounts. This could leave them looking at veteran locker room leaders who can help in a rotation like Jadeveon Clowney. 

IDLDJ ReaderCalais CampbellJohn Franklin-Myers

This is the big-spending position. Reuniting with DJ Reader is painfully obvious. They need that gap in the rotation filled and are even more desperate for locker room leadership on defense. If not, Calais Campbell would be an ideal fallback plan, albeit a huge departure in the age department tendencies (going on 40). 

LB Devin LloydDevin BushLeo Chenal

Failure at this spot in free agency last year helped end the season before it really began. Oren Burks couldn’t get in the lineup and help when the rookies struggled. There’s a very, very small chance they go after Devin Lloyd, but he’s going to be costly. Leo Chenal fits more of what they like: Affordable, still just 25 and ascending. 

SBryan CookJabrill PeppersAlohi Gilman

The Bengals are all-in on Jordan Battle, so this is about getting him a running mate. Cincinnati product Bryan Cook makes too much sense. He was the fifth-graded safety at PFF last year. 

CBTariq WoolenMike HiltonRoger McCreary

The Bengals will want to be mindful of budget here, as they could give boundary corners DJ Turner and Dax Hill big extensions. But they desperately need slot help, as they’ve quietly been flailing since Mike Hilton left. Don’t sleep on a Hilton reunion, simply as a locker room leader. Roger McCreary fits more of what they like: Slot corner still ascending at the age of 26.