Bengals Linked to 5-time Pro Bowl Star During Offseason

Much of the Cincinnati Bengals’ offseason moves focused on repairing a defense that ranked as one of the worst in the NFL last season. Cincinnati finished 31st on total defense in 2025 and the team’s defensive shortcomings overshadowed an offense that finished 12th in scoring. The Bengals had to rely on shootouts to win games and ultimately missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season. 

The front office wasted no time overhauling the defensive front with the addition of DT Dexter Lawrence via trade, plus free-agent signings of DE Boye Mafe and DT Jonathan Allen. Secondary reinforcements such as safeties Bryan Cook and Kyle Digger were also added to give Joe Burrow a unit capable of complementing one of the league’s most talented offenses.

However, Cincinnati has not neglected the other side of the ball. The Bengals retained important pieces around Burrow, bringing back TE Mike Gesicki on a multi-year extension. They also re-signed veteran QB Joe Flacco and G Dalton Risner, and returned the same starting offensive line for the first time in Burrow’s career.

Now, Cincinnati could be looking to improve its running back room led by Chase Brown and veteran Samaje Perine. 

According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Bengals are a team to watch if veteran running back Alvin Kamara becomes available via trade.

The 30-year-old enters the final year of his contract with the New Orleans Saints at $10.4 million and New Orleans signing Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year deal this offseason has raised questions about Kamara’s long-term role.

A five-time Pro Bowler and 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year, Kamara has compiled 7,250 rushing yards and 61 rushing touchdowns, along with 606 receptions for 4,948 yards and 25 receiving touchdowns. His 2025 season was limited by injuries to just 11 games, where he managed career-low totals of 471 rushing yards, 186 receiving yards and one total touchdown.

It’s worth noting that there is no indication a trade is imminent as of this writing. Kamara reported to Saints OTAs this week, and both he and his agent have maintained that he expects to play in New Orleans in 2026. However, it remains unclear if the Saints are keen on keeping the nine-year veteran on an expiring deal. 

Should he be offered up for trade, the Bengals could fancy the idea of a Brown-Kamara pairing, which would give the team two backs capable of contributing as runners and receivers. Having both players on the same team could create matchup problems for defenses already tasked with containing Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Gesicki, and Burrow.