Two defensive upgrades Bengals should target in free agency

The Cincinnati Bengals keep facing the same choice every offseason. Do they fix the offensive line, or do they finally address a defense that has not been able to hold up its end? Throughout the Joe Burrow era, the Bengals have yet to build a unit that opposing offenses genuinely worry about.

Losing Jessie Bates in free agency was the turning point. After he left, the defense went from solid to shaky, and eventually ended up near the bottom of the league. It's not like the organization has not tried. It has thrown draft picks and cap space at the problem, hoping to patch the holes.

The production just has not followed. In some stretches, it's actually gotten worse. That is where things stand heading into 2026 as the team again tries to build a defense that can support the offense.

Two names stand out as players who could give this defense the stability it has been missing.

Jaelan Phillips, Linebacker

Trey Hendrickson is 31 years old and spent the second half of last season sidelined with injuries. He was productive the year before, but putting big money into a pass rusher at that age is risky. Cincinnati chose not to use the franchise tag on the four-time Pro Bowler, so now he is heading into free agency.

The Bengals have a chance to get younger off the edge, though replacing what Hendrickson brought will not be easy. Jaelan Phillips makes a lot of sense. At 26, he's considered one of the best pass rushers available this year and still has plenty of prime years ahead of him. He might also come at a price that works for Cincinnati.

Over five seasons with the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles, Phillips has racked up 119 solo tackles, 86 assists, 28 sacks, five fumble recoveries and an interception.

Bryan Cook, Safety

Jessie Bates was the anchor of Cincinnati's defense during its playoff runs in 2021 and 2022. With him back there, mistakes got cleaned up quickly, and opposing offenses could not find many easy chances. Once the Bengals let him walk, they tried filling the void through the draft and free agency.

That search has not brought the same kind of consistency. Now they're back in familiar territory. This time, the front office cannot afford to whiff. The top safety on the market is Bryan Cook. He grew up in Cincinnati and played at the University of Cincinnati, which makes it even more interesting. The Kansas City Chiefs could let him go for cap reasons.

Across four seasons with Kansas City, Cook has put up 153 solo tackles, 85 assists, one sack, two fumble recoveries, and three interceptions. He's also got a pair of Super Bowl rings.