Bengals Sign Chiefs Safety Bryan Cook to $42.5 Million Deal

Cincinnati bolsters secondary with high-priced free agent addition

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Cincinnati Bengals have signed safety Bryan Cook away from the Kansas City Chiefs on a 3-year, $42.5 million contract. Cook, a 4-year NFL veteran, started all 17 games for the Chiefs in each of the last two seasons and was one of the league's top-graded safeties in 2025.

Why it matters

The Bengals' defense struggled mightily in 2025, ranking 31st in the NFL in yards allowed per game. Adding a high-caliber safety like Cook is a major move to upgrade the secondary and help the defense catch up to Cincinnati's potent offense.

The details

Cook, 26, recorded 85 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and an interception for the Chiefs last season. According to Pro Football Focus, he was the 4th-highest graded safety in the NFL in 2025 with an overall grade of 83.5. The Bengals see him as a versatile defensive back who can be moved around in their system.

  • Cook started all 17 games for the Chiefs in 2024 and 2025 seasons.

The players

Bryan Cook

A 26-year-old safety who has started the last two seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Al Golden

The defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Zac Taylor

The head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Duke Tobin

The director of player personnel for the Cincinnati Bengals.

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What they’re saying

“We're looking for versatility. I love versatility in our system, in our program, and especially if you can do it without substitution. That's what makes you dangerous.”

— Al Golden, Bengals Defensive Coordinator (X)

“Sources: Safety Bryan Cook is headed to the Cincinnati Bengals for three years and $42.5M. Cincinnati and agent Jared Fox of @LIFTSPORTSMNGMT hammered out pact today.”

— Jeremy Fowler (X)

What’s next

The Bengals will look to integrate Cook into their defensive scheme during the offseason program and training camp as they aim to improve a unit that struggled in 2025.

The takeaway

The Bengals have made a major investment in their defense by signing one of the top young safeties in the NFL. If Cook can live up to his billing, it could be a game-changing move that helps Cincinnati's defense catch up to their high-powered offense.