Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs against Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) during the second quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Cincinnati Bengals: Land Intriguing Super Bowl-Winning Pass Rusher

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics
By Jackson Loschko | Last updated Mar 9, 2026 5:05 PM ET

The Cincinnati Bengals desperately need to address the defensive end/EDGE rusher position, with multiple players testing free agency. Joseph Ossai has signed with the New York Jets, while Trey Hendrickson and Cameron Sample remain unsigned for now. This leaves the Bengals with Myles Murphy, Shemar Stewart, Isaiah Foskey, and Cedric Johnson as the only four players at the position under contract not on reserve/future deals.

Cincinnati Bengals set to land intriguing Super Bowl-winning pass rusher

According to his agent, Mike McCartney, the Bengals are set to sign Boye Mafe to a multi-year contract. The deal is for three years and is worth $60 million. Mafe is an intriguing pass rusher because he has shown flashes, including in 2023, where he set career highs in pressures, sacks, and playing time with 58 pressures and nine sacks across 808 defensive snaps, but has not matched his production over his last two seasons, recording 91 pressures and eight sacks over 1,169 reps during that span.

Pumped for Boye Mafe agreeing to a 3 year deal with the @Bengals

— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) March 9, 2026

Here’s a quick review of his 2025 campaign

Dec 8, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Boye Mafe began the year as the starting EDGE rusher alongside DeMarcus Lawrence, but lost the job once Uchenna Nwosu got settled in. He recorded a 11.3% pass-rush win rate, 44 pressures, 40 hurries, five quarterback hits, and two sacks across 20 games and four starts. Mafe also posted 36 tackles, four TFLs, 13 run stops, and a 6.7% stop rate.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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