Bengals, S Bryan Cook Agree To Deal

The Bengals have lined up a notable defensive addition early in free agency. Bryan Cook is set to join Cincinnati in 2026.

Team and player have agreed to a three-year deal, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. Cook is set to receive $40.25MM on this new pact. That includes $18MM this season.

PFR’s top safety in this year’s pool, ranking 21st overall, Cook is headed to the Bengals on a contract that is certainly on-brand for the old-school franchise. The signing bonus represents the only fully guaranteed money, per ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano.

Cook will be due a $4MM 2027 roster bonus and a $6.05MM ’27 base salary. A $1MM roster bonus and a $10MM base salary would await in 2028. While the $18MM 2026 number looks nice, the Bengals could cut bait before the 2027 bonus comes due if the fit proves poor.

This year’s safety crop presented a wide array of options, with dozens of starter-level players hitting the market today. A former second-round pick, Cook started every Chiefs game over the past two seasons. While a season-ending ankle injury kept Cook out for the 2023 stretch run, he returned and started in Super Bowl LIX against the Eagles. Cook, 27 in September, succeeded Thornhill in Kansas City’s lineup after the latter’s Cleveland defection.

Pro Football Focus ranked Cook fourth among all safeties last season. The Chiefs primarily used Cook as a free safety, though Cook does not have great ball production (three INTs in four seasons). The Bengals have been hurting at safety since Jessie Bates‘ 2023 defection. The team’s Vonn Bell reunion did not work out, nor did its Geno Stone acquisition. Stone is unsigned.

Cincy, which has seen porous defense do plenty to sink its past two operations, will try its hand with Cook this time around. With Jordan Battle in a contract year, the Bengals will hope Cook can prove a fit and stick around beyond 2026.

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.