BREAKING: Cincinnati Bengals Signing Bryan Cook & Boye Mafe In NFL Free Agency

The Cincinnati Bengals made their first major move of the 2026 NFL free-agency cycle Monday, reportedly agreeing to terms with former Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook on a multi-year deal.

According to reports from NFL insiders, Cook is signing a three-year contract worth approximately $42.5 million to join Cincinnati’s secondary once the new league year officially begins. The agreement came shortly after the NFL’s legal tampering window opened, allowing teams to negotiate with pending unrestricted free agents before contracts can be formally signed later in the week.

Cook, 26, spent the first four seasons of his career in Kansas City after being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. During his time with the Chiefs, he developed into a reliable starter and key contributor in the secondary. Over 62 regular-season games with 47 starts, Cook recorded 238 tackles, three interceptions, 15 passes defended and a sack.

His best statistical season came in 2025, when he posted a career-high 85 tackles and six pass breakups while starting every game for Kansas City. Cook also gained valuable postseason experience, appearing in multiple playoff games during his tenure with the Chiefs and helping anchor one of the AFC’s most consistent defenses.

The signing addresses a major need for Cincinnati heading into the offseason. The Bengals entered free agency with uncertainty at safety, particularly with veteran Geno Stone expected to depart and the team looking for more physical play and consistency on the back end of its defense.

Cook also brings strong local ties to the organization. A Cincinnati native who attended Mount Healthy High School and later starred for the Cincinnati Bearcats football program, he now returns home to play professionally in the city where he grew up.

For the Bengals, the move signals an early commitment to strengthening the defense around franchise quarterback Joe Burrow as the team looks to return to playoff contention in the AFC. With Cook expected to step into an immediate starting role, Cincinnati hopes the experienced safety can stabilize the secondary and provide leadership for a defense undergoing key offseason changes.