The Bengals have continued bolstering their defense after losing Trey Hendrickson.
The Cincinnati Bengals came into this NFL offseason and free agency period with a clear goal in mind. With a very poor defense in 2025, Cincinnati ranked 30th in points against. Ranking 12th in points for, the Bengals had an above-average offense led by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher.
Wasting little time bolstering their defense in free agency, the Bengals have already agreed to deals with defensive end Boye Mafe, safety Bryan Cook, and another big piece on Thursday. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Cincinnati has agreed to a two-year, $28 million deal with defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. Fowler noted Cincinnati pursued Allen aggressively after he was released by the Minnesota Vikings and has now signed him.
Allen has made two Pro Bowls in his career, earning those honors in 2021 and 2022 with Washington. He spent last season with Minnesota, appearing in 17 games. A first-round pick of Washington in 2017, Allen is set to enter his 10th NFL campaign. He projects to bolster a Cincinnati defense that as previously stated was very poor a season ago.
Recently turning 31 years old, Allen is not the player he was in his Pro Bowl seasons with Washington, but is still a very talented defensive player who will immediately help the Bengals become better on that side of the ball. With Mafe, Cook, and now Allen, the Bengals have made a concerted effort to improve their biggest weakness from a year ago.
Allen has played nine seasons in the NFL with the Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings. Over that span, he has recorded 270 solo tackles, 199 assists, 45.5 sacks, three fumble recoveries and one interception. In the 2025 season, Allen appeared in 17 games, finishing with 29 solo tackles, 39 assists, 3.5 sacks and one fumble recovery.
While there are still conversations to be had about the offensive line, Burrow has to feel good about what he has seen his franchise do on the defensive side after losing a huge piece in Trey Hendrickson. Too many games last season left Burrow and Cincinnati’s offense without much of a chance to win, and while we will have to wait and see how things play out on the field, Cincinnati’s moves so far are indicative of a team recognizing exactly what it needs to improve the roster.
Cincinnati will open next season looking to make it back to the NFL Playoffs and end a three year postseason drought.