Bengals Sign $60 Million Free Agent to Bolster Defense

ESPN analyst praises Cincinnati's big move to add Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Cincinnati Bengals have signed Seattle Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million contract in a bid to improve their struggling defense. ESPN analyst Seth Walder praised the move, giving it an "A-" grade and noting that Mafe's contract is well below that of other top free agent pass rushers.

Why it matters

The Bengals' defense has been their biggest weakness in recent years, often failing to complement the high-powered offense led by quarterback Joe Burrow. Signing Mafe to a lucrative deal shows the team's commitment to fixing this issue and building a more balanced roster that can compete for a Super Bowl.

The details

The Bengals signed Mafe, a 24-year-old edge rusher, to a three-year, $60 million contract, which Walder described as a "decent price" compared to the deals signed by other top free agent pass rushers like Jaelan Phillips and Odafe Oweh. Mafe is expected to provide a significant boost to the Bengals' pass rush and help improve a defense that has struggled in recent seasons.

  • The Bengals signed Mafe on the first day of the 2026 NFL free agency period.

The players

Boye Mafe

A 24-year-old edge rusher who was previously with the Seattle Seahawks.

Joe Burrow

The Bengals' star quarterback who has led the team's high-powered offense in recent years.

Seth Walder

An ESPN analyst who praised the Bengals' signing of Mafe.

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What they’re saying

“At $20 million per year, Mafe is coming in well behind Jaelan Phillips and Odafe Oweh, who agreed to deals for $30 million and $25 million per year, respectively, earlier on Monday. I think Mafe will go a long way to helping the Bengals get their defense back on track ... and at a decent price, too.”

— Seth Walder, ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

What’s next

The Bengals will likely continue to be active in free agency as they look to further bolster their defense and build a roster capable of competing for a Super Bowl championship.

The takeaway

The Bengals' signing of Boye Mafe to a $60 million contract demonstrates the team's commitment to improving its defense and complementing its high-powered offense. This move, praised by ESPN analysts, could be a key step in the Bengals' quest to build a more balanced and championship-caliber roster.