Bengals Boost Defense with Free Agency Signings

0:00It's March 20th, here's your NFL news in two minutes. Subscribe to stay locked in all season. The Cincinnati Bengals dove into free agency to fix a defense that's ranked among the leagues worst for two straight seasons. They landed safety Brian Cook on a three-year deal worth $40,250,000, Ed rusher boy Mayfay and defense attacker Jonathan Allen. These moves target key weaknesses, bringing physical play and pass rush potential. Cook feels a long vacant spot at safety since losing Jesse Bates three years back. Mayfay at 27 showed strong pass rush metrics last year and could break out soon. Allen adds interior pressure that the Bengals have desperately needed. Fans and analysts see promise in these picks, but the team whiffed online backers. Top options like Devon Lloyd and Quay Walker signed elsewhere for deals around $40 million over three years. Defensive coordinator Al Golden stressed the knee for depth and veterans there. With free agency winding down, linebacker and another defensive end spot remain open.

1:04The Bengals are counting on young guys like Miles Murphy and Shamar Stewart to step up, but unknowns linger. The NFL draft sits just five weeks away, offering chances at linebackers or Ed rusher's in later rounds. While these signings help, filling those defensive gaps will decide if the Bengals can compete this year.