Bengals Face Tough Decisions as Multiple Free Agents Seek Big Paydays

Cincinnati's front office will have its hands full trying to rebuild the roster this offseason.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Cincinnati Bengals are set to have several key players hit free agency this offseason, including defensive standout Trey Hendrickson and multiple other defensive starters. The team is also facing expiring contracts on the offensive side, with players like Joe Flacco, Noah Fant, and Cordell Volson all potentially leaving. According to Spotrac, the projected market values for these pending free agents range from over $25 million for Hendrickson down to around $1.5 million for some role players.

Why it matters

The Bengals are coming off a disappointing season and need to make tough decisions on which free agents to prioritize re-signing in order to rebuild their roster and return to the playoffs. Losing impact players like Hendrickson could significantly weaken their defense, while retaining some of the offensive free agents could help maintain continuity on that side of the ball.

The details

The Bengals have multiple defensive starters set to hit free agency, including defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who is projected to command over $25 million per year on the open market. Other key defensive free agents include linebacker Joseph Ossai, safety Geno Stone, and defensive end Cam Sample. On offense, the Bengals could lose quarterback Joe Flacco, tight end Noah Fant, and offensive linemen Lucas Patrick and Dalton Risner.

  • The 2026 NFL free agency period begins on March 13, 2026.

The players

Trey Hendrickson

A standout defensive end for the Bengals who is projected to be one of the top free agents available this offseason.

Joseph Ossai

A young linebacker who emerged as a starter for the Bengals' defense in 2025.

Geno Stone

A safety who has been a key contributor in the Bengals' secondary over the past few seasons.

Joe Flacco

A veteran quarterback who served as the Bengals' backup in 2025 and is set to hit free agency.

Noah Fant

A talented tight end who the Bengals acquired in a trade and is now poised to test the free agent market.

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What’s next

The Bengals' front office will need to prioritize which free agents to re-sign before the start of free agency on March 13, 2026, in order to maintain roster continuity and address key needs on both sides of the ball.

The takeaway

The Bengals face a critical offseason as they look to rebuild their roster and return to the playoffs. Retaining their top free agents, especially on defense, will be crucial, but the team may have to make difficult decisions on which players to prioritize given the high projected market values for several key contributors.