Bengals' Offseason: Pass Rusher, Lineman Needs

0:00For the NFL, it's March 9th, and here's what's going on. The Cincinnati Bengals are gearing up for a tough offseason on defense after several rough seasons. They're projected to lose star-pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to free agency, prompting talks of signing a big money replacement to bolster their week. Unit. Earlier this week, the Bengals jumped late into trade discussions for Raiders' edge rusher Max Crosby, but over a quarter of the league had already, shown interest by then. This comes as the NFL's legal tampering window opened two days before the new league year, letting teams negotiate early deals. Fans are buzzing about potential targets, with many hoping for defensive upgrades to support the solid core of Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase, and T. Higgins. The offense looks stable, especially after Dalton Reisner, resigned on the line, but death in the trenches remains a concern if some guards depart. Meanwhile, reports highlight top free agents who could fit Cincinnati's needs, focusing on past rushers and linemen to fix glaring holes.

1:02The team typically waits until actual free agency to finalize moves. Looking ahead, the 2026 NFL salary cap is now set higher, up 40% over the past five years, with an average annual jump of $24 million since the post-COVID rebound. This gives teams like the Bengals more room to spend. Support for this episode comes from our sponsor, see the description. Your bedtime ritual just got better. Wisconsin Sound, built and comfort, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.