With the 2026 NFL offseason underway, all franchises are looking toward building their teams to compete for the Lombardi trophy in the near future. After missing the playoffs for three consecutive seasons, the Cincinnati Bengals have work to do to return to Super Bowl contention, as they were in 2021. 

There is no excuse for the offensive juggernaut unit, including Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown, to be watching the postseason from home year in and year out. Simply put, the defense let them down this season, and it’s on general manager Duke Tobin to construct a better roster going into 2026 to support them. 

Cincinnati Bengals general manager Duke Tobin | © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The initial moving piece that will start the transaction process involves superstar defensive end Trey Hendrickson. As potentially the most sought-after free agent in the NFL this summer, the Bengals have a decision to make to avoid letting him walk for free to another franchise. With the franchise-tag window opening today, Cincinnati can use its tag on him to maneuver a contract extension, trade him away, or receive draft compensation if he signs elsewhere. 

While he is not anticipated to be a member of Cincinnati’s organization going into Week 1 of this season, the Bengals need to find someone to lead the previously lackluster defensive line. On the Fitz and Whit podcast, former Bengals Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andrew Whitworth discuss what they believe Tobin should prioritize this offseason. 

“Defense would be a great place to start,” said Whitworth. “This is the most critical year in this era under Joe Burrow, in my opinion, of evaluation from that position … Is it going after a guy like Demario Davis, if he’s available? If it’s trading for Maxx Crosby … that would be the young guy. Tone setter, the example for your defense every single day … Put one of the hardest playing, best guys that any young [defensive] linemen could follow in the world, in Maxx Crosby, around them. Pay him the money, spend the draft pick, the 10th pick, send it if you have to. Put the example in the room … Go get Maxx Crosby at all costs.” 

Crosby is an interesting prospect for an aspiring Bengals team because of his situation in Las Vegas. He has spent all seven years of his career with the Raiders, and he has proven to be one of the best defensive ends in the NFL, despite the lack of team success. The last time the Raiders won a playoff game was in 2002, with just two postseason appearances since then; the most recent was in a loss to the Bengals during their Super Bowl run in 2021. 

Over his last four seasons, the former No. 106 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft has averaged 0.73 sacks per game. For reference, three players to average less over their careers are Aaron Donald (0.72), Hendrickson (0.69), and Von Miller (0.68) (via StatMuse). The 44.5 sacks since 2022 rank him sixth in the NFL for the most sacks in that span (via StatMuse). 

The former Eastern Michigan Eagle has increasingly grown frustrated with his team’s lack of contention for winning football, which has led to suggestions that he could be on the way out. Crosby was set to be a free agent following the 2026 season, however he signed an extension around this time last year that will lock him in with the Raiders through 2029. 

Because of this, the Bengals would have to trade for the superstar, and he will not be a cheap asset to acquire. Whitworth mentioned the idea of including the 10th pick in this year’s draft to entice the Raiders, but the question would then be what else the Bengals would need to include. 

Las Vegas Raiders Defensive End Maxx Crosby (98) | © Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Although Cincinnati does have the seventh-most cap space in the NFL this offseason, his ~$36 million cap hit would take away a large portion of the money that needs to be spent on the entirety of the defense, rather than just one player. His impact, though, may be enough to validate the steep price, both in trade value and cap space.