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Who should Bengals be targeting as NFL free agency opens?
The 2026 NFL league year and free agency signing period begins
Wednesday, though teams were allowed to begin negotiating with agents at noon Monday during the league’s legal tampering window.
Local 12 digital sports columnist and editor Richard Skinner joined Mike Petraglia of CLNS Media to discuss what the Cincinnati Bengals should prioritize.
They reviewed how the legal tampering period works, noting that while
contracts cannot be signed until 4 p.m. Wednesday, most agreements
reached beforehand are finalized once the new league year opens. They
also discussed the importance of teams being salary cap compliant before
free agency begins, often leading to trades, restructures and releases.
Regarding the Bengals, Skinner and Petraglia noted the team has approximately $47 million in cap space after declining to franchise-tag Trey Hendrickson. They identified defensive tackle, edge rusher, safety and linebacker as major needs. Skinner suggested interior pass rush — potentially targeting a player such as John Franklin-Myers — should be a priority, along with signing a veteran safety and possibly drafting one early.
At quarterback, they discussed reports that Joe Flacco would prefer a
starting opportunity but could return as Joe Burrow’s backup if
necessary. Jake Browning was not tendered and is expected to become an unrestricted free agent, though a return remains possible.
On offense, they emphasized the need for depth at swing tackle and wide
receiver. While the starting offensive line stayed healthy last season,
they cautioned against relying on similar durability again. Both agreed
the Bengals must balance free agency spending carefully while using the
draft to address remaining needs.
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By Local 12
4.7
6767 ratings
The 2026 NFL league year and free agency signing period begins
Wednesday, though teams were allowed to begin negotiating with agents at noon Monday during the league’s legal tampering window.
Local 12 digital sports columnist and editor Richard Skinner joined Mike Petraglia of CLNS Media to discuss what the Cincinnati Bengals should prioritize.
They reviewed how the legal tampering period works, noting that while
contracts cannot be signed until 4 p.m. Wednesday, most agreements
reached beforehand are finalized once the new league year opens. They
also discussed the importance of teams being salary cap compliant before
free agency begins, often leading to trades, restructures and releases.
Regarding the Bengals, Skinner and Petraglia noted the team has approximately $47 million in cap space after declining to franchise-tag Trey Hendrickson. They identified defensive tackle, edge rusher, safety and linebacker as major needs. Skinner suggested interior pass rush — potentially targeting a player such as John Franklin-Myers — should be a priority, along with signing a veteran safety and possibly drafting one early.
At quarterback, they discussed reports that Joe Flacco would prefer a
starting opportunity but could return as Joe Burrow’s backup if
necessary. Jake Browning was not tendered and is expected to become an unrestricted free agent, though a return remains possible.
On offense, they emphasized the need for depth at swing tackle and wide
receiver. While the starting offensive line stayed healthy last season,
they cautioned against relying on similar durability again. Both agreed
the Bengals must balance free agency spending carefully while using the
draft to address remaining needs.
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