The Cincinnati Bengals were eliminated from postseason contention following a Week 15 (shutout) loss to the Baltimore Ravens, putting to bed a calendar year of indecision, turmoil, and injuries.

Cincy heads toward 2026 with around $79M of projected cap space (against an estimated $304M league threshold), putting them in position to be aggressive this March (if that was something the Bengals were known for doing).

The Bengals currently hold 7 draft picks in 2026, including 2 6th-rounders. They sent their 5th round pick to Cleveland in exchange for QB Joe Flacco midseason.

Early Offseason Questions

  • What can this front office do to keep Joe Burrow happy, and healthy?
  • How aggressive will this front office be in improving a 31st ranked defense (PFF)?
  • Is HC Zac Taylor’s future secure?

Notable Free Agents

(Current Spotrac APY Valuation)
ED Trey Hendrickson ($25M)
ED Joseph Ossai ($9.5M)
CB Cam Taylor-Britt ($9M)
S Geno Stone ($7.8M)
C Ted Karras ($6.5M)
QB Joe Flacco ($4.5M)
TE Noah Fant ($3M)
G Dalton Risner ($2.5M)

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Extension Candidates

RB Chase Brown

Brown has now put together back-to-back strong campaigns for Cincy, especially as it pertains to the passing game, and has established himself as the clear #1 weapon out of the backfield. He’ll enter a contract year in 2026, and could be viewed as a multi-year extension candidate this winter. The 25-year-old projects toward a 4 year, $40M contract in our system.

DB Daxton Hill

The versatile defensive back shifted over to CB, but has extensive experience all over the secondary. A former 1st round pick out of Michigan, Hill holds a fully guaranteed $12.6M option salary in 2026, but could be in line for a multi-year extension this spring. He’s a 4 year, $44M player in our system right now.

CB D.J. Turner

The 25-year-old 2nd round pick from 2023 is having a breakout campaign for Cincy, one of their few bright spots on the defensive side of the ball. He becomes extension-eligible for the first time this winter, currently projecting toward a 3 year, $45M deal in our system.

OT Orlando Brown Jr.

The Bengals O-Line continues to be a problem area, but the 29-year-old LT has likely shown enough to be kept around for a few more seasons. He enters a contract year in 2026, set to earn $14.2M next season, but currently projects to a $19M per year extension in our system.

Option Decision

ED Myles Murphy, the #28 overall pick out of Clemson back in 2023, has yet to establish himself as an every week starts for Cincy through 3 seasons, though he’s posting career production totals through the 2025 campaign. It’s unrealistic to expect that the Bengals will lock in a $14M+ guarantee for 2027 this May.

Bubble Candidates

DL Tedarrell Slaton

Release Candidate

Slaton signed a 2 year, $14M free agent contract this past March, but the returns haven’t been great. None of his $6.1M due for 2026 is currently guaranteed, and the Bengals can free up that amount with an offseason release.

OT Cody Ford

Release Candidate

A depth player at best going forward, Ford is due a non-guaranteed $2.9M in 2026. Cincinnati can free themselves from all of it with an offseason release.

Potential Cap Conversions

All $35M of QB Joe Burrow’s 2026 compensation is fully guaranteed. A simple salary conversion can free up over $19M of space.

WR Tee Higgins’ $10M roster bonus is currently guaranteed, and his $10.9M salary will trigger as such on March 15th. A full conversion on those two figures will free up $17.7M of cap.

WR Ja'Marr Chase’s big extension contains early vesting guarantees through 2028. A full salary conversion on his $17.7M 2026 salary frees up $14.2M of room.

RELATED LINKS
2026 Bengals Salary Cap Table
Bengals 2026 Free Agents
Spotrac Offseason Guides