Cincinnati Bengals executives Mike Brown and his daughter Katie Blackburn talk on the sideline during a session of organized team activities on the Bengals practice field at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Bengals Still Have Plenty of Cap Space After Free Agency Moves

Originally posted on Cincinnati Bengals on SI
By James Rapien | Last updated Mar 14, 2026 12:35 PM ET

The Bengals have made significant additions to their defense in free agency.

First, they added safety Bryan Cook and edge rusher Boye Mafe. It took a few days, but they followed it up by signing former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.

The Bengals' struggles on defense are well documented. In a vacuum, the additions of Cook, Mafe and Allen make them better, but they shouldn't be finished in free agency. In fact, they're in position to fill the other key weaknesses on their roster.

Cap Space

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The Bengals were granted $7 million in extra cap space thanks to the insurance policy they took out on Joe Burrow. Burrow missed nine games last season due to a grade 3 turf toe injury that required surgery.

Cincinnati also cleared $2.7 million in 2026 cap space when they signed Orlando Brown Jr. to a two-year contract extension.

That means the Bengals have $35 million in 2026 cap space. Once you account for their upcoming 2026 NFL Draft class and other cap costs that happen during the season, Cincinnati has an estimated $20.7 million in space.

Time To Go "All-In"

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Bengals Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin made it clear they planned on adding to their team in free agency. They've done that, but they haven't done enough. They need to sign another pass rusher and a linebacker.

Signing Joey Bosa or Jadeveon Clowney and Bobby Wagner would help round out a defense that clearly needs another proven pass rusher and more talent at linebacker. David Njoku is another free agent that would be a great fit in Cincinnati.

"I've been doing this a long time. I've never not been all in," Tobin said last month. "We are all in. We are trying to get the best team possible with the resources we have. You know, last year we went all in. We signed over $400 million worth of contracts, going all in. That's what we do. We want to be all in. We're trying to put the best roster together every year, and this year is no different."

The Bengals have to continue to add to their roster if they want to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders this season.