NFL free agency has begun, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2025 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year began March 12 at 4 p.m. ET, and free agent signings can now become official. The first round of the 2025 NFL draft begins April 24 on ESPN.
Here's a breakdown of every 2025 NFL free agent signing by the Cincinnati Bengals and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Joseph Ossai, DE
The Bengals are bringing back Ossai on a one-year deal.
What it means: Ossai comes back to the Bengals after a fourth season that showed some promise. After battling injuries his first three years, Ossai played in all 17 games and totaled five sacks and 15 quarterback hits. Cincinnati needs Ossai to build on those numbers and be more disruptive in 2025. If that happens, it will be a big boost for a defense banking on its young players to be improved under new defensive coordinator Al Golden.
What's the risk: Ossai is the lone notable edge rusher Cincinnati signed in free agency. At a reported $7 million annually, it's a low-cost signing compared to other numbers around the league. But if the Bengals' strategy doesn't pan out, it could be another long season for a defense that was the primary reason Cincinnati didn't make the playoffs a year ago.
Cam Sample, DT
The Bengals are bringing him back on a one-year deal.
What it means: Sample has been a very good rotational defensive lineman for the Bengals since they drafted him in 2021. A torn Achilles suffered in August kept him off the field last season. This year, Sample is looking to show he can help a defensive front that needs to be more disruptive. His versatility to play as an interior lineman or an edge rusher was very useful in the past.
What's the risk: The Bengals have yet to make a big splash to help their defensive line. They have brought back known quantities in B.J. Hill, Joseph Ossai and now Sample. But with DE Trey Hendrickson's trade request still looming, Cincinnati still has to figure out what its front four will look like this season. And again, it's a group that must be more consistent in both stopping the run and applying pressure.
Marco Wilson, CB
What it means: Wilson was picked up halfway through last season and ended up making six appearances for the Bengals. He had only 36 defensive snaps in those games, which was much lower than at previous stops. However, he showed that he could be used in certain defensive packages. He'll provide support for the main cadre of starters for next season.
What's the risk: At $1.52 million, there is very little risk in adding Wilson as a depth option for next season.
B.J. Hill, DT
He signed a three-year deal for $33 million with $16 million guaranteed.
What it means: Hill is an under-the-radar player the Bengals needed to bring back. It appeared things were trending that way when player exec Duke Tobin praised Hill at the NFL combine in February. It gives Cincinnati a familiar starter at defensive tackle amid much uncertainty surrounding that unit.
What's the risk: Age is the big factor here, especially given the guarantee amount. Hill turns 30 in April, which is older than the Bengals typically sign to multi-year deals. However, given the circumstances, it was a risk worth taking with at least two starters gone from last year and potentially even three, with DE Trey Hendrickson seeking a trade.
T.J. Slaton, DT
The former Packers standout agree to a two-year deal.
What it means: Make that two defensive linemen the Bengals have agreed to terms with at the start of free agency. After bringing back Hill, Slaton gives Cincinnati an imposing interior presence. He ranked third among qualifying players in run stop win rate last season (NFL Next Gen Stats). While not a big pressure guy, he will definitely help a defense that must be better against the run. Last season, the Bengals had the fourth-worst expected points added on rushing plays, per ESPN Research.
What's the risk: At a total value of $15.1 million, there isn't a significant amount. The Bengals must ensure they can surround Slaton and Hill with edge rushers who get after the quarterback. But if anything, he is a player who is similar to DJ Reader, whom the Bengals had from 2020 to 2023 as a strong nose tackle who was pivotal in the team's playoff success.
Samaje Perine, RB
Perine is coming back to Cincinnati on a two-year deal.
What it means: Perine is a very familiar face. He was the backup running back during the team's deep playoff runs in 2021 and 2022, including a key reception in the AFC championship win over Kansas City. The Bengals needed a bigger running back to help carry the workload for RB Chase Brown, who Cincinnati believes will continue to develop into one of the better ones in the league. Perine is an excellent pass blocker who should complement Brown and coach Zac Taylor's offense.
What's the risk: Perine wasn't on the field a ton for Kansas City last season, but he was effective at quality rates. His first downs per carry (35%) and third down conversion rate (40%) were as good as they were in Cincinnati. As long as that remains the same and he can be reliable in pass blocking situations, there is little risk in bringing back someone Cincinnati has struggled to replace.
Oren Burks, LB
The former Eagles player agreed to sign a two-year deal.
What it means: The Bengals added a linebacker with significant experience. Burks has played 108 games in eight seasons. He started two of his 17 appearances with the Eagles and totaled 41 tackles. With Akeem Davis-Gaither on the move to Arizona and Germaine Pratt requesting a trade, getting a linebacker was a big priority for Cincinnati's defense and new coordinator Al Golden.
What's the risk: There is very little risk here. The Bengals addressed a key need on a contract that totals $5 million -- a very manageable number for a defense that has to operate under significant financial constraints because of the money allocated to the offense. Burks should be in a strong position to succeed and provide veteran leadership for a young Bengals unit.