The Cincinnati Bengals are taking steps to fix a defense that struggled last season. The team has signed a two-time Super Bowl champion away from the Kansas City Chiefs.
Videos by FanBuzz
The Bengals have brought in safety Bryan Cook on a three-year, $40.25 million deal. This includes $14 million guaranteed, an average annual salary of $13,416,667, and a workout bonus of $100,000.
Like many NFL free agent contracts, it includes a situation where the Bengals could cut Cook after one season without suffering any salary cap repercussions.
A second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Cook spent his rookie season as a depth player for the Chiefs. He only started one game, but he still contributed while delivering 33 tackles, a sack, and two passes defensed.
Cook became a full-time starter in 2023, and he remained in this role through 2025. He has posted 238 combined tackles, one sack, a fumble return touchdown, three interceptions, and 15 passes defensed during four seasons with the Chiefs.
He has also won two Super Bowls. Although he missed the Big Game during the 2023 season after suffering a season-ending ankle injury.
Cook will now head to the Bengals, a team that desperately needed defensive playmakers last season. This unit ranked 31st in overall defense, 26th in pass defense, 32nd in rush defense, and 30th in scoring defense.
Multiple games highlighted these defensive struggles. Early in the season, the Bengals allowed Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz to throw for two scores and running back Jordan Mason to run for two more during a 48-10 loss.
This defense then collapsed late in back-to-back games against the Jets and Bears. It allowed Breece Hall to run for a 27-yard touchdown and throw for a four-yard touchdown in the final eight minutes. This led to a 39-38 loss.
One week later, Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco led the team down the field on a touchdown drive. His nine-yard pass to Andrei Iosivas gave the team the lead with under a minute remaining. The defense then allowed Bears quarterback Caleb Williams to throw a game-winning 58-yard touchdown pass to Colston Loveland with 17 seconds remaining.
