Trending Now - Bengals Bolster Defense With Key Draft Picks for Super Bowl Run

WHO:

Boye Mafe, edge rusher, Cincinnati Bengals

Bryan Cook, safety, Cincinnati Bengals

Mike Macdonald, head coach of the Seattle Seahawks

Dianna Russini, reporter for The Athletic

Boye Mafe, edge rusher, Cincinnati Bengals

Bryan Cook, safety, Cincinnati Bengals

Mike Macdonald, head coach of the Seattle Seahawks

Bryan Cook, safety, Cincinnati Bengals

Duke Tobin, Bengals director of player personnel

Mike Macdonald, head coach of the Seattle Seahawks

Boye Mafe, edge rusher, Cincinnati Bengals

Seattle Seahawks, Mike Macdonald, head coach

Dianna Russini, reporter for The Athletic

Al Golden, defensive coordinator for the Bengals

WHAT:

Mafe was signed to a three-year contract worth $60 million, making him the Bengals' first $20 million per year free agent.

Cook signed a three-year contract worth $40.25 million, making him the highest-paid safety in Bengals history.

Mafe recorded 44 pressures and 40 hurries during the 2025 NFL season, which would have led the Bengals.

Mafe had a career-low two sacks in the 2025 season after starting four of 17 games.

Mafe was the 40th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Minnesota.

Mafe recorded three pressures in the Super Bowl against the Patriots.

Mafe's production included 118 quarterback hurries over the last three seasons.

Cook had a missed tackle rate of 5.6% in the previous season, with only three safeties having a better tackling percentage among those who played at least 897 snaps.

Cook signed a three-year contract worth $40.25 million with the Cincinnati Bengals, making him the highest-paid safety in Bengals history.

The Bengals have committed $100 million in contracts to both Mafe and Cook.

Mafe was ranked No. 26 among The Athletic’s Top 150 free agents and fifth among edge defenders.

Boye Mafe signed a three-year contract worth $60 million with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Mafe recorded 44 pressures and 40 hurries during the 2025 NFL season.

Mafe had a total of 146 pressures and 41 run stops over the past three seasons.

Mafe achieved nine sacks in the 2023 season and had a record of three pressures in the Super Bowl against the Patriots.

Mafe started 27 of 31 games and recorded 15 sacks from 2023 to 2024.

Mafe's playing time decreased to 50 percent of defensive snaps in 2025.

WHERE:

Cincinnati, Ohio (Bengals' location)

Seattle, Washington (Mafe's previous team location)

WHEN:

Mafe's contract was signed on March 9th, 2026.

The Bengals will announce the contracts after the NFL's new year begins at 4 p.m. on March 11th, 2026.

Mafe's nine-sack season occurred in 2023, and he had a six-sack season in 2024.

The Bengals will announce the contracts after the NFL's new year begins at 4 p.m. on March 11th, 2026.

Mafe signed the contract on March 9th, 2026.

Mafe was drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Mafe turns 28 years old in November 2026.

The Seahawks set a record for Mafe in 2023 with a sack in seven consecutive games.

WHY:

The Bengals needed to revamp one of the league’s worst defenses in 2025.

The Bengals needed to fortify their pass rush and improve their defensive capabilities.

HOW:

Mafe is expected to start opposite Myles Murphy, with Shemar Stewart likely part of a rotation.

Cook is expected to play alongside Jordan Battle as the Bengals' starting safeties.

Mafe's contract was structured as a three-year deal, reflecting the Bengals' strategy to replicate past successful free-agent acquisitions.

(UPDATED March 10, 2026 19:15 UTC)

In a significant move for the Cincinnati Bengals, edge rusher Boye Mafe has signed a three-year contract worth $60 million, making him the team's first free agent to earn $20 million per year. Alongside him, safety Bryan Cook has inked a three-year deal valued at $40.25 million, setting a new record as the highest-paid safety in Bengals history. Both contracts will be officially announced after the NFL's new year begins at 4 p.m. on March 11, 2026, with Mafe expected to start opposite Myles Murphy in the upcoming season.

(UPDATED March 10, 2026 17:15 UTC)

In a significant move to strengthen their defense, the Cincinnati Bengals have signed edge rusher Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook, while also bringing in Mike Macdonald as their new head coach. Mafe, who was the 40th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Minnesota, had an impressive nine-sack season in 2023 and recorded three pressures in the Super Bowl against the Patriots, while Cook boasted a low missed tackle rate of 5.6% last season. Mafe is expected to start opposite Myles Murphy, with Shemar Stewart likely joining the defensive rotation as the Bengals aim to improve one of the league’s worst defenses from last season.

(UPDATED March 10, 2026 05:19 UTC)

In a significant move for the Cincinnati Bengals, safety Bryan Cook has signed a three-year contract worth $40.25 million, making him the highest-paid safety in the team's history. The Bengals have also committed a total of $100 million in contracts to both Cook and edge defender Mafe, who was ranked No. 26 among The Athletic’s Top 150 free agents. The official announcement of these contracts will come after the NFL's new year begins at 4 p.m. on March 11, 2026, with Cook expected to play alongside Jordan Battle as the starting safeties.

(UPDATED March 10, 2026 01:26 UTC)

In a significant move for their defense, the Cincinnati Bengals have signed edge rusher Boye Mafe to a three-year contract worth $60 million. Mafe, who previously played for the Seattle Seahawks, recorded impressive stats over the past seasons, including nine sacks in 2023 and a total of 146 pressures. This signing comes as the Bengals look to strengthen their pass rush and enhance their overall defensive capabilities.