Cincinnati Bengals: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

There's a free agent linebacker who checks every single box the Cincinnati Bengals could possibly care about in their search

Surely the Cincinnati Bengals will sign a free agent linebacker, right? Linebacker is the biggest weakness on the Bengals' roster that hasn't been addressed following the official signings of safety Bryan Cook and defensive end Boye Mafe, and the agreement to terms with defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.

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Bryan Cook Dives Into Special Chance To Return Home On New Bengals Deal

Bryan Cook is back home with a big smile on his face. The former Cincinnati Bearcats and Mount Healthy High School safety took a four-year stint away from the Queen City while starting his NFL career with the Chiefs.

Cincinnati Bengals News / Cincinnati Bengals on SI / March 12

Potential Bengals Target Suffers Massive Setback Before 2026 NFL Draft

The Cincinnati Bengals came into the offseason needing to add four or more impact players to their defense. In reality, they likely needed to add closer to six players who could make a big impact if they wanted to revamp the whole defense.

Cincinnati Bengals News / Cincinnati Bengals on SI / March 12

Bengals Miss Perfect Opportunity to Land Veteran LB, Options Dwindling

The Cincinnati Bengals need to add an off ball linebacker to their defense. Early in free agency, they landed deals with Bryan Cook and Boye Mafe. Cook fills a huge hole at safety, which was one of the biggest issues with the Bengals defense.

NFL News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The '100-rushing-yard Super Bowls' quiz

In Super Bowl history, a player has topped the century mark in rushing yards just 23 times. How many can you name in five minutes?

The 'NFL playoff rushing-TD record' quiz

The 'Super Bowl MVPs' quiz

The 'AP Offensive Players of the Year' quiz

Cincinnati Bengals News / Cincinnati Bengals on SI / March 12

Bengals Free Agent Cornerback Signs With AFC Team, Sparking Depth Need At Position

A Bengals free agent signed with the Dolphins on Thursday afternoon. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Marco Wilson inked a one-year deal to head south. "Dolphins are signing former Bengals free-agent cornerback Marco Wilson to a one-year deal, per his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey.

College Football News / Yardbarker

2026 NFL Draft: 20 famous names who won't be drafted until the later rounds

Most of the NFL mock drafts focus on the early rounds, but there are still many prominent college players who will hear their names called later. These are just some of the big names that could hear their names in the later rounds.

Jonathan Allen News / Field Level Media / March 12

Reports: Bengals signing DT Jonathan Allen to 2-year, $26M deal

The Cincinnati Bengals are set to sign defensive tackle Jonathan Allen to a two-year, $26 million contract, according to multiple reports Thursday. The deal could be worth up to $28 million with incentives for the two-time Pro Bowl selection, ESPN reported.

Cincinnati Bengals News / Gridiron Heroics / March 12

'Pursued Aggressively': Cincinnati Bengals Add 2x-Pro Bowl DT

The Cincinnati Bengals entered the offseason needing to address the defensive line after allowing the most rushing yards and posting the tenth-fewest sacks in 2025.

Cincinnati Bengals News / Cincinnati Bengals on SI / March 12

Top Pass Rushers Bengals Could Target After Jonathan Allen Signing

The Bengals have plenty of needs on defense, but their pass rush is one area that certainly needs to be addressed. Cincinnati added Boye Mafe this week, officially signing him to a three-year contract on Thursday.

Cincinnati Bengals News / The Forkball / March 12

Brown Jr. Negotiates His Own Two-Year Extension With Bengals

Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. has agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals, a deal he negotiated himself without the help of an agent.

NFL News / Yardbarker

2026 NFL Draft: Small-school prospects who will make a big impact

NFL prospects from major programs get most of the attention, but there are numerous examples of players drafted from small schools who have become difference-makers.

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The '100-rushing-yard Super Bowls' quiz

The '1K-yard, 10-TD-catch NFL seasons' quiz

The '4,500-yard NFL passers' quiz

The 'NFL tackles-for-loss leaders' quiz

Cincinnati Bengals News / 5 GOATs / March 12

Report: Cincinnati Bengals to sign Pro Bowl DT Jonathan Allen

The Cincinnati Bengals are signing two-time Pro Bowl DT Jonathan Allen, NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported Thursday afternoon. It is a two-year deal, worth a max of $28 million with incentives.

Cincinnati Bengals News / Cincinnati Bengals on SI / March 12

Bengals Bolster Defensive Line By Signing Former Pro Bowler

The Bengals are signing defensive tackle Jonathan Allen to a two-year contract, league sources confirm. Jordan Schultz is reporting that the deal is for two-years, $28 million.

Cincinnati Bengals News / Cincinnati Bengals on SI / March 12

How Joe Burrow Boosted New Bengals Safety Bryan Cook's Career When the Cincinnati Native Was a Struggling Rookie

CINCINNATI – Cincinnati native Bryan Cook sort of remembers the first Bengals game he attended at then-Paul Brown Stadium, but beyond it being cold and snowing, he isn’t sure who they played or who won.

Cincinnati Bengals News / Cincinnati Bengals on SI / March 12

Bengals Have Perfect Opportunity to Fix Key Weakness With Veteran Free Agent

The Cincinnati Bengals made two big moves to begin their offseason by signing edge rusher Boye Mafe to bolster their pass rush and Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook.

Bryan Cook News / Cincinnati Bengals on SI / March 12

Fresh Cincinnati Bengals Addition Bryan Cook Officially Signs New Contract

The Bengals officially introduced Bryan Cook to the media on Thursday to boost the safety position on Al Golden's defense. Cook, 26, joins the team as one of the surest tacklers in the NFL after signing a three-year, $40.25 million contract to return to his hometown.