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Golden Valley Today
By the People, for the People
Former Gophers Star Boye Mafe Signs $60M Deal with Bengals
The defensive end is coming off a Super Bowl win with the Seahawks.
Published on Mar. 10, 2026
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Boye Mafe, a former standout edge rusher for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, has agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. Mafe just finished his fourth season with the Seattle Seahawks, where he won the Super Bowl last year.
Why it matters
Mafe's big payday is a testament to his talent and potential, as he transitions from a college star to an established NFL player. The deal also highlights the continued success of Golden Gophers players transitioning to the professional level.
The details
Mafe, a 6-foot-4 defensive end from Golden Valley, Minnesota, recorded 2 sacks, 31 tackles, and 4 tackles for loss in 17 games and 4 starts for the Seahawks last season. He also had 5 tackles and 1 quarterback hit in 3 playoff games en route to the Super Bowl LX title. Over his 4-year NFL career, Mafe has played in 65 games, making 34 starts, with 164 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and 20 sacks.
- Mafe just finished his fourth season with the Seattle Seahawks.
- Mafe agreed to the 3-year, $60 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, the first day of the NFL tampering period.
The players
Boye Mafe
A former standout edge rusher for the Minnesota Golden Gophers who just won the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks and has now signed a $60 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
The college football team that Boye Mafe played for, where he established himself as a top defensive player before being drafted into the NFL.
Seattle Seahawks
The NFL team that Boye Mafe played for the past 4 seasons, winning the Super Bowl with them last year.
Cincinnati Bengals
The NFL team that has now signed Boye Mafe to a 3-year, $60 million contract.
The takeaway
Boye Mafe's lucrative contract with the Bengals showcases the continued pipeline of talent from the Minnesota Golden Gophers to the NFL, as the defensive end transitions from a college star to an established professional player.
