Tag: bengals

Aug 17, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) warms up before a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Reports: Bengals signing DT Jonathan Allen to 2-year, $26M deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Cincinnati Bengals are set to sign defensive tackle Jonathan Allen to a two-year, $26 million contract, according to multiple reports Thursday.

The deal could be worth up to $28 million with incentives for the two-time Pro Bowl selection, ESPN reported.

Allen, 31, started all 17 games for the Minnesota Vikings last season and had 68 tackles with 3.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits and one fumble recovery.

The Vikings released Allen on Wednesday, the first day of the new league year, for salary cap considerations. Last offseason, the former Washington Commanders standout signed a three-year, $51 million contract with $31 million guaranteed.

Allen joins new Bengals edge rusher Boye Mafe, who left the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent and signed a three-year contract in Cincinnati valued at a reported $60 million.

Allen has 469 career tackles with 45.5 sacks, 67 tackles for loss, 129 QB hits, one interception, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 126 regular-season games (125 starts). He played his first eight seasons with the Commanders.

Washington selected Allen with the 17th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Alabama. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2021 and 2022.

–Field Level Media

Dec 28, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (75) leaves the field after a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Bengals OT Orlando Brown Jr., sans agent, confirms 2-year extension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. represents himself in negotiations, and he confirmed another successful deal completed to stay in Cincinnati on a two-year contract extension.

Brown shared the news Thursday via X, posting, “Represented myself on this deal lol it’s a 2 year extension.” The Bengals also announced the agreement, but neither side disclosed the financial aspect.

The 29-year-old Brown has played eight seasons with the Ravens, Chiefs and Bengals. He joined Cincinnati in 2023 on a four-year, $64 million contract after two seasons and a Super Bowl championship in Kansas City. He originally was a third-round pick of Baltimore in 2018.

Brown, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, is signed through 2028 and called the agreement to stay in Cincinnati a “dream scenario.”

“Having that stability. Being somewhere I want to be. I think the feeling is mutual from upstairs down,” Brown told Bengals.com of the contract extension.

“The deal creates a sense of stability for myself and the organization. I didn’t necessarily feel the need to reset the market. We have great players in this locker room. It’s rare for a player to say, but making it team friendly … The way that I see it, it puts me and my family and the organization in a good spot.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) celebrates the win after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Reports: Bengals won’t tag star DE Trey Hendrickson

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The Cincinnati Bengals will not franchise tag star defensive end Trey Hendrickson, according to multiple reports ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, making the four-time Pro Bowler a free agent.

Teams had until Tuesday afternoon to issue franchise or transition tags to players eligible to become free agents next week.

Hendrickson’s 2025 season was shortened by core muscle surgery in December. He last played on Oct. 26 and totaled only seven games (all starts).

Hendrickson finished with 16 tackles, including four sacks and three tackles for loss, as well as one forced fumble and eight quarterback hits. He played 59% of the defensive snaps.

Hendrickson, 31, entered 2025 with an NFL-best 35 total sacks over the previous two years.

He had spent the offseason ahead of the 2025 slate in a standoff with the Bengals over the lack of a contract extension. He requested a trade, but Cincinnati eventually coaxed him out of a holdout posture with a $14 million raise that pushed his salary to $30 million.

Hendrickson has 81 career sacks in 117 games with the New Orleans Saints (2017-20) and Bengals. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in four consecutive seasons (2021-24) and was first-team All-Pro in 2024.

New Orleans selected Hendrickson in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Florida Atlantic.

–Field Level Media

Feb 11, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) reacts during the Super Bowl LX parade. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba: ‘I think I deserve to be the highest-paid at my position’

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is eligible for a new contract because he has played three seasons on his rookie deal.

While Smith-Njigba says he isn’t pressing the issue, the 2025 AP Offensive Player of the Year said he believes he should be the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver.

“I’m really not too pressed right now to get it done,” Smith-Njigba told WFAA-TV. “I know my time is coming, and when we get it done it’s gonna be a great deal. God’s timing is perfect timing, so whenever that may come, we’ll be ready for it. I think I deserve to be the highest-paid at my position, just what I give to the game and the community, I give it my all. And I think that’s worth a lot, lot more.”

Smith-Njigba, who turned 24 last Saturday, has one season remaining on his four-year, $14.4 million rookie contract.

“I would play this game for free, I love this game so much, but you don’t have to,” he said. “I’m learning to be a good businessman, and we need that check at the end of the day.”

Smith-Njigba put himself in position for a big payday after leading the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards in the 2025 regular season. He also had 119 receptions and 10 touchdowns en route to being selected for his second straight Pro Bowl.

Smith-Njigba didn’t stop there, totaling 199 yards and two touchdowns in three postseason games as the Seahawks won the franchise’s second Super Bowl title.

He has 282 catches for 3,551 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns in 51 games (36 starts) since being selected out of Ohio State by the Seahawks with the 20th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase, 25, is the highest-paid wide receiver in terms of annual salary at $40.25 million. He signed a four-year, $161 million contract extension last March.

–Field Level Media

Jan 4, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Logan Wilson (55) breaks up a pass intended for New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Cowboys part ways with LB Logan Wilson, save $6.5M

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The Dallas Cowboys waived linebacker Logan Wilson on Friday just three-plus months after acquiring him from the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Cowboys said the move saves them $6.5 million in salary cap space.

Wilson, who recorded four straight 100-tackle seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2021-24, didn’t make the desired impact with the Cowboys after being obtained from the Bengals for a 2026 seventh-round pick at the trade deadline.

The 29-year-old had just 24 tackles and one forced fumble in seven games (one start) with Dallas. Wilson didn’t receive a single snap in a Week 17 matchup against the Washington Commanders.

Overall, he had 70 stops in 15 games (eight starts) between Cincinnati and Dallas in 2025. Wilson, a captain with the Bengals, lost his starting spot prior to the trade.

Wilson joined the Bengals as a third-round selection in 2020. He emerged as a key cog in 2021 while helping the Bengals reach the Super Bowl before losing to the Los Angeles Rams. He had a postseason-leading 39 tackles.

Wilson had four interceptions that season for the first of two times. He has 11 picks, seven forced fumbles, 5.5 sacks and 565 tackles in 83 games (66 starts).

With Wilson now a free agent, the Buffalo Bills may have interest. Wilson was college teammates at Wyoming with Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills were rumored to be in the mix for Wilson before the Bengals consummated the deal with Dallas.

–Field Level Media

Jan 4, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks to pass against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Bengals QB Joe Burrow added to Pro Bowl Games

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow earned his third career Pro Bowl selection after being added Sunday to the AFC roster for the Pro Bowl Games this week.

Burrow, 29, also was honored in 2022 and 2024. This season, he joins Bengals teammates in wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins as well as quarterback Joe Flacco, who was added Friday for the 41-year-old’s first Pro Bowl selection in an 18-year career.

The fourth edition of the Pro Bowl Games — which include week-long skills competitions and a flag football game — will be played in San Francisco ahead of Super Bowl LX. Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Steve Young will serve as coaches for the flag football game on Tuesday.

Burrow played in only eight games this past season, completing 66.8% of his passes for 1,809 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Twice the NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2021, 2024), Burrow returned to action in Week 13 after missing the previous nine contests due to a toe injury.

He led the league in the final six weeks of the regular season in completions (152), according to the team. Burrow also tied for second in TD passes (15), ranked third in passing yards (1,620), fifth in completion percentage (68.2) and fifth in passer rating (102.2) over the final six weeks.

Cincinnati selected Burrow with the first overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft out of LSU. For his career, he has thrown for 20,810 yards, 157 TDs and 51 interceptions in 77 regular-season games (all starts) for a record of 43-33-1. His 68.5% completion percentage is the NFL’s all-time best for a career.

–Field Level Media

Bengals QB, 18-year vet Joe Flacco picked for first Pro Bowl

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco, an 18-year NFL veteran and a past Super Bowl MVP, earned his first career Pro Bowl selection Friday.

Flacco, who turned 41 on Jan. 16, was added as an alternate to the AFC roster for the Pro Bowl Games, joining Cincinnati wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

The fourth edition of the Pro Bowl Games — which include week-long skills competitions and a flag football game — will be played in San Francisco ahead of Super Bowl LX. Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Steve Young will serve as coaches for the flag football game on Tuesday.

Flacco started four games for the Cleveland Browns this season and was benched before an Oct. 7 trade to the Bengals, for whom he started six of nine games. Flacco went a combined 2-8 as a starter while completing 60.3% of his passes for 2,479 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

His stretch with the Bengals included starts from Weeks 6-12, when he ranked second in the league in completions (154), tied for third in TD passes (13) and fifth in passing yards (1,636), per the team. Flacco threw for a career-high 470 yards in a 47-42 loss to the Chicago Bears on Nov. 2.

Flacco was voted most valuable player of Super Bowl XLVII when the Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in the 2012 season. He was the 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year with the Browns.

Baltimore drafted Flacco with the No. 18 pick in 2008 out of Delaware.

For his career, Flacco has passed for 48,176 yards, 272 touchdowns and 172 interceptions in 209 regular-season games (201 starts) with the Ravens (2008-18), Denver Broncos (2019), New York Jets (2020-22), Browns (2023, 2025), Indianapolis Colts (2024) and Bengals (2025).

He is 10-6 in 16 career playoff starts with 3,530 passing yards, 26 TDs and 12 picks.

–Field Level Media

Bengals retaining coach Zac Taylor, personnel chief Duke Tobin

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The Cincinnati Bengals are bringing back head coach Zac Taylor and director of player personnel Duke Tobin despite missing the playoffs for a third straight season.

Owner Mike Brown announced Monday that the leadership will remain in place following a 6-11 season in which star quarterback Joe Burrow missed nine games with a turf-toe injury.

“We came into the season with high expectations, coming off four straight winning seasons with leaders in place that took us to a Super Bowl and two AFC Championship games. We know this season has been frustrating and disappointing. The results fell short of our standards, and missing the playoffs again proves there is more work to do,” Brown said in a statement.

“Our focus is on building a team that can consistently compete at the highest level, with the goal of winning championships. After thoughtful consideration, I am confident that Duke Tobin and Zac Taylor are the right leaders to guide us forward. They have proven they can build and lead teams that compete for championships. We trust their plans and expect to return to our desired level of success.”

Taylor, 42, is 52-63-1 with two playoff appearances through seven seasons in Cincinnati. The 2021 team lost tothe Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI, and the 2022 squad fell to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game.

Tobin, 55, has held his position with the Bengals since 2002. Cincinnati has reached the playoffs nine times during that tenure.

–Field Level Media

Myles Garrett sets NFL sack mark as Browns edge Bengals

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CINCINNATI — Myles Garrett had to wait until the final moments of the season finale to set the NFL single-season sack record, but it was Cleveland’s kicker that won the game as time expired to lift the Browns to a 20-18 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

Andre Szmyt, who missed a short field goal and an extra point against Cincinnati in the season opener, won the game with a 49-yard field goal as time expired. By contrast, Cincinnati kicker Evan McPherson missed a pair of extra points that turned out to be the difference.

Garrett got his record-setting sack on a day when his defensive teammates added a pair of touchdowns. With 22 sacks after 16 games, Garrett needed one sack to pass Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt (22.5) for the single-season record.

With 5:04 left in the fourth quarter, Garrett rushed up the middle and Burrow slid to the turf for his 23rd sack. The Cleveland sideline rushed onto the field to congratulate Garrett, delaying the game for a minute.

Trailing 17-12 late, Burrow led the Bengals on a seven-play, 61-yard drive, capped by a 4-yard scoring strike to Ja’Marr Chase in the left side of the end zone for an 18-17 lead with 1:29 left. Chase finished with a game-high eight receptions for 96 yards.

Rookie Shedeur Sanders completed 11 of 22 passes for just 111 yards but improved to 3-4 as a starter for the Browns (5-12), who finished with back-to-back wins against AFC North rivals. The Browns, who struggled offensively all afternoon, lost starting center Luke Wypler to a knee injury.

Joe Burrow completed 29 of 39 passes for 236 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Chase Brown reached the 1,000-yard rushing milestone for the first time and caught a scoring pass for the Bengals (6-11).

The Bengals appeared to be in line for another easy day before the home crowd when Burrow found a wide-open Brown for a 4-yard score in the flat. The touchdown, followed by a blocked extra point, was set up by Cam Sample’s strip-sack of Sanders and Howard Cross’ recovery at the Cleveland 29.

Needing 53 yards for a 1,000-yard campaign, Brown concluded his best season to date with 72 yards on 13 carries.

Cleveland’s Devin Bush returned a Burrow interception 97 yards for a first-quarter score in the final minute of the first quarter. Then, a minute into the second, Sam Webb recovered Noah Fant’s fumble and scored on a 47-yard return for a 14-6 lead.

Tee Higgins caught a 13-yard TD pass from Burrow shortly before halftime to pull the Bengals within 14-12. McPherson then missed his second extra point.

Browns top cornerback Denzel Ward sustained a neck injury in the first half and did not return.

–Mike Petraglia, Field Level Media

Bengals QB Joe Burrow to play in season finale vs. Browns

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Joe Burrow is in the game plan for the Cincinnati Bengals in the regular-season finale against the Cleveland Browns, head coach Zac Taylor said Monday.

The Bengals are not planning to rest or preserve Burrow, the oft-injured starting quarterback who played in his seventh game of the season in Week 17 and improved to 5-2 as a starter in 2025.

One of those five wins for Burrow this season was a 17-16 victory at Cleveland. Burrow was sacked three times and had 113 passing yards with one touchdown.

Since returning from a toe injury that knocked Burrow out of the game Week 2 and required surgery, his production has been on the upswing.

Burrow was 24 of 31 for 305 passing yards with two touchdowns in a 37-14 win over the Cardinals in Week 17, following up his four-TD day at Miami on Dec. 21.

“He’s got a ton of confidence, he’s playing with great rhythm, extending plays, hitting big plays down the field,” Taylor said. “He did a great job with the protection checks (Sunday), because that can be really difficult and stressful against these guys. They do a good job of attacking your protections, so Joe was on it. Again, just playing like I know Joe to play, and it’s fun to watch.”

Taylor said Monday the Bengals need “all hands on deck” to compete with Browns star Myles Garrett. The defensive end has 22 sacks, on the doorstep of the single-season record of 22.5 held by Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt and former Giants defensive end Michael Strahan.

Garrett sacked Burrow twice in the first meeting this season.

“He’s the best defensive player on Planet Earth,” Taylor said. “You can’t put it into words. It’s all hands on deck. He’s an absolute nightmare.”

–Field Level Media