Free Agent Tracker

Let's talk Cincinnati Bengals football!
Jmble
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Re: Free Agent Tracker

Post by Jmble » Mon Mar 09, 2026 4:29 pm

Bengals1 wrote:
Mon Mar 09, 2026 4:23 pm
The Bengals signing former Chiefs safety Bryan Cook (3-year, ~$40-42.5M deal) addresses a glaring need after years of instability at safety.

Isn't that about what Bates wanted...?
Bates signed a four year deal for 64.02 mil and 36 mil guaranteed

Cook is three year for 40.2 mil. That's about 3 mil per year less that Bates signed for. I haven't been able to find any info on guarantees.

This was also three years ago, and salaries go up every year, so overall I think Bates got a lot more than Cook is getting. Especially if Cook's guarantee is much lower.

MeatHeadbengal
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Re: Free Agent Tracker

Post by MeatHeadbengal » Mon Mar 09, 2026 4:51 pm

I like Cook, he's smart and can tackle, something we just didn't have last year!

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Bengals1
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Re: Free Agent Tracker

Post by Bengals1 » Mon Mar 09, 2026 5:35 pm

Jmble wrote:
Mon Mar 09, 2026 4:29 pm
This was also three years ago, and salaries go up every year, so overall I think Bates got a lot more than Cook is getting. Especially if Cook's guarantee is much lower.
That's fair.

Just for the record:

2023: Jesse Bates signs a $64m/$18m guaranteed deal in Atlanta. Bengals replace him with Nick Scott at $12m/$3m.

2024: Nick Scott cut, Bengals sign Geno Stone at $14m/$9m.

2025: Stone sucks. Deal renegotiated to knock off about $2m

2026: Geno Stone leaves in FA. Bengals sign Bryan Cook at $42.5/$18m (first year)

In conclusion, the Bengals let Bates go in 2023 because $64 million was too expensive, and have since spent roughly $67m trying to replace him.
Last edited by Bengals1 on Mon Mar 09, 2026 6:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Bengals1
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Re: Free Agent Tracker

Post by Bengals1 » Mon Mar 09, 2026 5:38 pm

4256 Hits wrote:
Mon Mar 09, 2026 4:28 pm
Former Seahawks edge Boye Mafe reached agreement on a 3-year deal with the Bengals, per his agent.

Contract: 3 years / $60M

Bengalscentre @benga1scentre
Bengals new edge rusher Boye Mafe ranked 8th in pass rush win rate (19%) among edge rushers

He ranked higher than Odafe Oweh, Maxx Crosby, and Aidan Hutchinson to name a few.
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Bengals1
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Re: Free Agent Tracker

Post by Bengals1 » Mon Mar 09, 2026 6:25 pm

*whew*

Ian Rapoport reporting...

The #Titans are signing G Cordell Volson, source said, he gets a 1-year deal with $2.5M guaranteed and 4.215M max.
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4256 Hits
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Re: Free Agent Tracker

Post by 4256 Hits » Mon Mar 09, 2026 6:27 pm

Bengals1 wrote:
Mon Mar 09, 2026 5:35 pm
Jmble wrote:
Mon Mar 09, 2026 4:29 pm
This was also three years ago, and salaries go up every year, so overall I think Bates got a lot more than Cook is getting. Especially if Cook's guarantee is much lower.
That's fair.

Just for the record:

2023: Jesse Bates signs a $64m/$18m guaranteed deal in Atlanta. Bengals replace him with Nick Scott at $12m/$3m.

2024: Nick Scott cut, Bengals sign Geno Stone at $14m/$9m.

2025: Stone sucks. Deal renegotiated to knock off about $2m

2026: Geno Stone leaves in FA. Bengals sign Bryan Cook at $42.5/$18m (first year)

In conclusion, the Bengals let Bates go in 2023 because $64 million was too expensive, and have since spent roughly $67m trying to replace him.
That is 6 years of Bengals safety vs 4 years of Bates.

I have said here before the only player that the Bengals recently let go as a FA that was a mistake was Bates.

4256 Hits
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Re: Free Agent Tracker

Post by 4256 Hits » Mon Mar 09, 2026 6:28 pm

Bengals1 wrote:
Mon Mar 09, 2026 6:25 pm
*whew*

Ian Rapoport reporting...

The #Titans are signing G Cordell Volson, source said, he gets a 1-year deal with $2.5M guaranteed and 4.215M max.
:lol: More proof that there is a sucker born every minute. :lol:

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Bengals1
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Re: Free Agent Tracker

Post by Bengals1 » Mon Mar 09, 2026 7:00 pm

4256 Hits wrote:
Mon Mar 09, 2026 6:28 pm
Bengals1 wrote:
Mon Mar 09, 2026 6:25 pm
*whew*

Ian Rapoport reporting...

The #Titans are signing G Cordell Volson, source said, he gets a 1-year deal with $2.5M guaranteed and 4.215M max.
:lol: More proof that there is a sucker born every minute. :lol:
Oogie Boogie played on the Jets up till 2023.
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4256 Hits
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Re: Free Agent Tracker

Post by 4256 Hits » Mon Mar 09, 2026 7:07 pm

Bengals are banking on a breakout from Boye Mafe just like they did Trey Hendrickson.

When Hendrickson came on board in Cincinnati he owned a career 10.2% win rate, 113 pressures and 21 sacks

Mafe? 11% win rate, 161 pressures, 20 sacks.

skycruiser
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Re: Free Agent Tracker

Post by skycruiser » Mon Mar 09, 2026 8:25 pm

Strange things are happening in 2026

The bengals went out and signed wave 1 FAs, and I loved both of the decisions

Wait til mike wakes up from his nap and finds out

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