WaltThis page lists all the 2026 NFL Signings for the Cincinnati Bengals. I’ve listed all of the NFL Free Agent Signing Grades here, which included the Signings. Because I’ve begun posting polls for the Signings, I thought it would make sense to list just the NFL Signings here, so archiving the voting would be easier.
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🏈 2026 NFL Free Agent Signing Grades by Team (Synced 6.4.26)
- Total Signings: 5
- Average Grade: B- (81.6)
April 2026 – Signings
Bengals sign S Kyle Dugger (1 year): B- Grade
signed on 4/2/2026
Kyle Dugger is a former second-round pick who had some strong seasons with the Patriots. However, his play has dropped off recently. He started for the Steelers last year, but was a big liability in coverage.
Dugger, now 30, doesn’t have much remaining in the tank. I believe he was signed as an insurance policy in case the Bengals don’t get the safety they want in the 2026 NFL Draft (Caleb Downs?) If the Steelers don’t get their desired safety, they’ll have to endure Dugger’s poor play in 2026.
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March 2026 – Signings
Bengals sign QB Joe Flacco (1 year, $6 million): B Grade
signed on 3/25/2026
The Bengals looked like they’d have no chance to make a run at the playoffs early in the 2025 season when an anemic Jake Browning replaced Joe Burrow. Browning gave the Bengals no chance to win, save for his last-minute comeback against the Jaguars. The Bengals, however, acquired Joe Flacco, who was able to achieve some victories and give the Bengals an outside shot at the postseason once Burrow returned from injury.
Flacco was re-signed for $6 million, which is the going rate for average backup quarterbacks. This should be a fine move, but keep in mind that Flacco is 41, so there could be a steep regression this year.
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Bengals sign DT Jonathan Allen (2 years, $26 million): C- Grade
signed on 3/12/2026
The Bengals don’t sign too many free agents, so maybe they’re not aware that teams are supposed to watch film of the players they intend to sign. A crazy concept, but one that occasionally works!
I’m mentioning this because it’s apparent that the Bengals didn’t watch film of how Allen has performed recently. Allen can still get a bit of pressure on the quarterback, but he’s not nearly as good in that regard as he once was. He’s also a huge liability against the run. This is a massive overpay.
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Bengals sign DE Boye Mafe (3 years, $60 million): B+ Grade
signed on 3/9/2026
Someone must have locked Mike Brown in a room and took all of his bank information. One big signing in free agency was shocking. Two seems impossible. This is akin to seeing the sun rise in the west. I don’t know which is more improbable, actually.
Boye Mafe tallied nine sacks two years ago, so he seems like a viable replacement for Trey Hendrickson. Mafe’s production dipped after that, but he’s been playing in a very deep rotation, so there’s a good chance that he’ll bounce back to his old production because he’ll be asked to do a lot more in Cincinnati.
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Bengals sign S Bryan Cook (3 years, $40.25 million): B+ Grade
signed on 3/9/2026
Hell must have frozen because the Bengals have spent a lot of money on someone in free agency. I imagine this money had to be pried out of Mike Brown’s hands, but Cincinnati gave it to Bryan Cook, who served as a stellar safety for the Chiefs.
Cook is coming off the best season of his career, so he’s well worth this money. I’m not big on paying safeties lots of money, due to the position being devalued, but Cook’s high talent level makes up for that in this evaluation.
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Charlie Campbell