The Cincinnati Bengals continue to address their defense during the 2026 offseason.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bengals signed Ja’Sir Taylor to a one-year contract.
“Bengals signed former Chargers free-agent CB Ja’Sir Taylor to a one-year contract.” Schefter wrote on his official X account.
Taylor was an unrestricted free agent before signing with the Cincinnati Bengals. He is a fifth-year player out of the University of Wake Forest.
“Taylor (5-10, 185), a fifth-year player out of Wake Forest University, originally was a sixth-round draft pick of the L.A. Chargers in 2022. He played in 57 games for the Chargers before being traded in November 2025 to the N.Y. Jets, where he played in eight contests. In 65 career regular-season games (12 starts), he has recorded 76 tackles, one TFL, 15 PDs, one INT and one FR defensively, along with 21 tackles on special teams.” The Cincinnati Bengals website says.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ Defensive Struggles
Cincinnati’s defense has struggled in the past three years. Despite being loaded offensively, the team just can’t seem to shake their defensive woes.
In 2024, the Bengals ranked 25th in total defense. They ranked 21st in passing defense and 19th in rushing defense. Cincinnati allowed 25 points per game in 2024 and gave up 348 yards a game to opposing teams.
The Cincinnati Bengals ranked 26th in passing defense in 2025. Their inconsistent play in the secondary has lost the team a lot of games. They ranked 31st in total defense in 2025 and 32nd in rushing defense which is dead last. Cincinnati allowed 380.9 yards per game and gave up 60 total touchdowns.
Cincy’s Defensive Moves This Offseason
Cincy has already made a move to improve their pass rush. The Cincinnati Bengals signed DT Jonathan Allen to a two-year, $26 million contract worth a maximum of $28 million.
“The Bengals are signing veteran DT Jonathan Allen to a two-year, $26 million deal, per source. Max $28M with incentives,” Pelissero wrote on X.
Last season with the Vikings, Allen ended up playing in all 17 games. In his only season with the Minnesota Vikings, he racked up 68 total tackles to go along with 3.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
Former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Boye Mafe agreed to a three-year, $60 million deal with Cincinnati. The Bengals also added former Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook on a three-year, $40.25 million deal.
With the NFL Draft coming soon, many will wonder what the Bengals’ next move will be. Right now, Cincy has the number 10 pick in the draft. They could have their eye on names such as Caleb Downs, Reuben Bain Jr., and Mansoor Delane.
“Downs reads plays so well and has the speed and wrap-up technique to wrangle and take down ball carriers,” Mel Kiper Jr. wrote in an ESPN article. “And don’t sleep on his ball skills: Downs had two interceptions in each of his three college seasons. He’s exactly the type of player the Bengals need on the back end.”
“There aren’t many more disruptive and impactful defensive players in the country,” Todd McShay (The Ringer) wrote on the “McShay Report”. “[Reuben Bain Jr.’s] 8.5 sacks this season ranks tied for 23rd in the FBS, so we’re not talking about marginal sack production. Furthermore, he ranks third (minimum 100 pass-rush snaps) among P4 edge rushers with a 23.7 pass-rush win rate.”
Bengals Sign Veteran CB to Buffer Struggling Defense