Report: Bengals bolster defense with Mafe, Cook deals

The Cincinnati Bengals are signing former Seattle Seahawks pass-rusher Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60-million contract, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

The Bengals have been active in addressing their defense to begin the free-agency period. They reportedly also signed former Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Bryan Cook to a three-year, $40.25-million deal earlier Monday.

Mafe, a second-round pick by the Seahawks in 2022, recorded 20 sacks over four seasons with the team. The 27-year-old was a key rotational piece during its Super Bowl run last season.

He registered only two sacks in 2025, the fewest of his career. Mafe's best season to date came in 2023, when he posted nine sacks.

Edge rusher became an apparent need for Cincinnati after Trey Hendrickson departed for free agency. He racked up 61 sacks in five seasons with the Bengals, including back-to-back 17.5-sack campaigns in 2023 and 2024.

Cook, who's a Cincinnati native, returns home after starting in all 46 of his appearances for the Chiefs over the last three years. In his four seasons with the team, he managed three interceptions and 238 tackles, including a career-high 85 in 2025.