Bengals Could Bolster Defense by Signing Super Bowl Champion Edge Rusher

The Cincinnati Bengals came into the offseason needing to add to their defense in a big way. They dove into free agency to add Bryan Cook, Boye Mafe, and Jonathan Allen, all of whom will likely be impact players on defense for the Bengals.

But they need to add more. They're likely going to target defense with the No. 10 pick in the draft. They're likely going to target defense with the No. 41 pick in the draft. But they could still make a late move in free agency.

Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport recently suggested the Bengals could fill their roster hole at edge rusher by adding San Francisco 49ers free agent edge rusher Bryce Huff this offseason. Huff is one of the top edge rushers left on the market right now.

Bengals Could Fill Edge Rusher Position With Free Agent Bryce Huff

Dec 22, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Bryce Huff (47) leaves the field after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

"It's no secret that the Cincinnati Bengals need help at every level of a defense that allowed the second-most yards per game and third-most points per game in the NFL a year ago," Davenport wrote. "And after the expected departure of Trey Hendrickson and the loss of Joseph Ossai, edge-rusher is right at the top of the list.

"It's possible one of this year's 'Big 3' edge-rushers (Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey) will still be on the board when the Bengals first pick at No. 10. But it isn't guaranteed, and even if they do get one of those youngsters, the team needs quantity at the position almost as badly as quality. Bryce Huff's 2025 season with the San Francisco 49ers was a disappointment, but he logged 10 sacks in 480 snaps with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. The 27-year-old is arguably the best edge-rusher who has yet to find a team."

Adding an edge rusher should be one of the top priorities for the Bengals this offseason. They still need a linebacker and some help at defensive back, but edge rusher is a big roster hole, too, and they're unlikely to find an edge rusher prospect worth selecting at pick No. 10 unless Rueben Bain Jr. falls.

As a result, selecting somebody like Caleb Downs or Sonny Styles while signing Huff would be the best-case scenario for the Bengals.

Huff recorded four sacks and six tackles for loss with the 49ers last season. He's a few years removed from a double-digit sack season with the New York Jets. Huff earned a very respectable 69.2 PFF grade last season, which ranked in the top 50 for edge rushers.

Pair that with the fact that he's unlikely to demand a huge contract, and this could be the perfect addition in free agency for the Bengals.

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