Bengals Salary Cap Space, Free Agent Targets

Based on Bengals odds, oddsmakers expect a bounceback season from Cincinnati in 2025. 

At 18/1, Cincinnati is by far the shortest last-place finisher to capture Super Bowl 60 in San Francisco. 

They’ll have ample cap space with which to work to help achieve that feat. Cincinnati enters free agency with $61.6 million in cap room, per overthecap.com. 

But, Tee Higgins’ looming long-term deal or franchise tag could eat up a big chunk of that room. Should the Bengals tag Higgins, it would cost the Bengals $26 million. 

Bengals Cap Space: Free Agent Position Targets

Outside of addressing Higgins’ contract situation, the defense is a top priority for Cincinnati this offseason. 

Last year, the Bengals ranked 27th in defensive DVOA in spite of facing the third-easiest set of opposing offenses, per ftnfantasy.com. 

Within that defensive record, fixing a bad secondary stands out as the specific target. 

Eight Bengals played at least 50% of defensive snaps last season. Of the four worst players in PFF’s defensive grades, three featured in the secondary. 

Both safeties – Vonn Bell and Geno Stone – ranked in the bottom three of the former sample. 

Out of 66 safeties that played at least 50% of snaps, Bell and Stone ranked 45th and 59th in PFF’s grades. 

Bengals Salary Cap Space: Player Targets

Justin Reid

The Chiefs face an uphill climb with minimal cap room to resign all their key players. 

Reid could become a cap casualty if Kansas City spends money elsewhere. If he does, Cincinnati offers a strong landing spot. 

Reid ranked 10th in PFF’s safety grades, amongst players who featured in at least 50% of snaps. Plus, based on PFF grades, 2024 marked Reid’s best season as a pro. 

Because he features more prominently at strong safety, Reid offers an instant upgrade over Bell, an unrestricted free agent in 2025. 

Osa Odighizuwa

Some creativity is needed on Cincinnati’s end to make this happen, but the defensive line is a need for the Bengals. 

Both B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins enter free agency this offseason. If the Bengals elect not to re-sign one or both, it creates a need along the front. 

Odighizuwa, alongside edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, could create a strong front to bolster Cincinnati’s pass rush. 

Last year, Hendrickson combined for more sacks than the rest of the defensive line combined. 

Adding the Cowboys interior lineman helps lighten the load for Hendrickson and potentially take pressure off the secondary.