Bengals Sign Defensive End Boye Mafe to 3-Year, $60M Deal

Former Seahawks pass rusher joins Cincinnati after winning Super Bowl

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to terms with former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Boye Mafe on a 3-year, $60 million contract. Mafe, 27, is coming off a season in which he recorded only 2 sacks but had an impressive 12.4% pressure rate, ranking 8th in the NFL. The Bengals are hoping Mafe can bounce back and provide a boost to their pass rush after losing Trey Hendrickson in free agency.

Why it matters

The Bengals are looking to build on their Super Bowl appearance and continue to improve their defense. Mafe's signing is part of that effort, as they aim to find a pass rusher who can make an impact despite not having gaudy sack numbers in recent seasons.

The details

Mafe, a 2022 3rd-round pick, had 18 sacks in his first 3 seasons with the Seahawks before seeing his production dip in 2025. However, his pressure rate remained strong at 12.4%, ranking 8th in the NFL. The Bengals are hoping a change of scenery and increased opportunity will allow Mafe to regain his early career form as a disruptive pass rusher.

  • Mafe was a 3rd-round pick by the Seahawks in 2022.
  • In his first 3 seasons, Mafe recorded 18 sacks.
  • In 2025, Mafe's sack total dropped to 2 despite a 12.4% pressure rate.

The players

Boye Mafe

A 27-year-old defensive end who spent his first 4 NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, winning a Super Bowl in 2025.

Trey Hendrickson

The Bengals' former starting defensive end who left in free agency this offseason.

Duke Tobin

The Bengals' Director of Player Personnel who discussed the team's philosophy of valuing traits over production in players.

Al Golden

The Bengals' defensive coordinator who is looking to replace the pass rush production lost with Hendrickson's departure.

Bryan Cook

A safety the Bengals signed in free agency, a move that received an 'A' grade.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There are guys that have been covered up maybe with better players. Maybe that's the strength of the team that they're on, but it doesn't make them less of a player. It just gives them less of an opportunity to show that they're a player. So that can be an opportunity too, to find a guy that maybe other people are overlooking.”

— Duke Tobin, Bengals Director of Player Personnel (Cincinnati Bengals on SI)

What’s next

The Bengals will be hoping Mafe can regain his early career form and provide a boost to their pass rush in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

By signing Boye Mafe, the Bengals are betting on his potential and hoping a change of scenery will allow him to thrive as a pass rusher after being overshadowed on the Seahawks' elite defense. This move, combined with the signing of safety Bryan Cook, makes for an impressive start to the Bengals' free agency period as they look to build on their Super Bowl appearance.