Boye Mafe: Everything you need to know

Mafe agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract with the Bengals on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Mafe can make his deal official when the new league year begins Wednesday. He worked in a depth role for the Seahawks during their Super Bowl-winning 2025 campaign, starting only four of 17 regular-season playoff games and none of Seattle's three playoff games. Seattle's second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has made 34 regular-season starts.

Mafe registered two tackles (one solo) and a sack in Sunday's 27-10 win over the Panthers. Mafe's going through a down season, as he has produced career lows in tackles (28) and sacks (2.0) through 16 games. His playing time has taken a hit since the 2023 season, when he racked up 9.0 sacks through 16 games. The Seahawks have a deep set of outside linebackers who are capable of rushing the passer, and Mafe's falling production has been replaced by the likes of DeMarcus Lawrence, Derrick Hall and Uchenna Nwosu.

Mafe finished the 2024 season with 40 total tackles (25 solo), including 6.0 sacks, while adding three passes defensed and a fumble recovery across 15 games. Mafe rebounded well after a knee injury early in the season, securing at least 6.0 sacks for the second straight year. The linebacker has become a consistent force on Seattle's defense over his three-year NFL career and he'll be entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025.