The Cincinnati Bengals clearly need to upgrade their defense this offseason, as they finished 30th in the NFL with 28.9 points allowed per game. However, The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. wrote on Friday that fans shouldn't expect the organization to chase older free-agents.

"The Bengals do not sign older players in free agency," he wrote. "Offensive line is the only exception where they have shown willingness to employ players age 30 or older."

"Dating back to [Zac] Taylor’s arrival in 2019, the Bengals have not signed a single non-offensive line outside free agent or extended their own player to a deal worth at least $3 million in average annual value who is older than 29," he continued.

In that case, which upcoming free-agent defensive players would make sense for Cincinnati to pursue?

A big-name cornerback that fits the criteria for Cincinnati is Trevon Diggs. The 28-year-old is a two-time Pro Bowler and former NFL interceptions leader, but the Dallas Cowboys released him on Dec. 30. The Green Bay Packers claimed him off waivers the next day, and he played in their regular-season finale and NFC Wild Card Round game against the Chicago Bears. 

The Packers lost to the Bears 31-27 on Jan. 11 and released Diggs on Jan. 20. Now, the former first-team All-Pro needs a new home. 

Diggs, who finished with 27 tackles over nine games in 2025, isn't the star he once was. However, the Bengals could take a flier on him and hope he bounces back. The 2020 second-round pick has a market value of one year, $7.5 million per Spotrac.

Meanwhile, Jalen Thompson is a 27-year-old safety who could help fortify Cincinnati's secondary over the next few seasons. The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder has played all 99 of his career games with the Arizona Cardinals since 2019, but his rookie extension has expired.

Thompson has logged 95-plus tackles in each of the last two seasons and has nine career interceptions. The Bengals could use someone like him, especially since 26-year-old safety Geno Stone is hitting free agency after notching 104 tackles this past season. 25-year-old Jordan Battle is still under contract for next year, but they need more safeties.

Cincinnati's strategy makes sense overall, as it protects the organization from getting tied to declining players on bad contracts. But it still must find a way to get effective defensive help this offseason, because another porous unit next year would continue to waste Joe Burrow's prime.