The Bengals are adding former Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe, agent Mike McCartney announced. Mafe will sign a three-year, $60MM contract, insider Jordan Schultz relays.
Cincinnati’s pass rush took a hit when defensive end Joseph Ossai agreed to sign with the Jets on Monday. The Bengals are also expected to lose their best D-end, Trey Hendrickson, to free agency. At least one outside pass-rushing addition became a necessity for the Bengals, whose defense was among the NFL’s worst in 2025. The unit ranked 26th in sacks, 30th in scoring and 31st in total defense.
Mafe has not posted Hendrickson-like production (few have), but he should at least serve as a credible Ossai replacement. The four-year veteran has 20 career sacks over 65 games (34 starts). In 2023, Mafe’s most productive year, he worked as a full-time starter and tallied 52 tackles, 16 QB hits, nine sacks, nine TFL and six passes defensed in 16 contests.
Mafe notched another 12 QB hits and six sacks during a 15-game, 11-start 2024, but the 27-year-old took on a lesser role for the Super Bowl champions last season. The former second-rounder from Minnesota came off the bench in 13 of 17 games and logged a 50% defensive snap share. Mafe could only muster four QB hits and a pair of sacks, but he nonetheless entered free agency with plenty of earning potential. He will indeed rake in a substantial raise in moving from Seattle to Cincinnati.
Mafe’s exit is the latest blow to the Seahawks’ roster on the first day of the league’s free agent negotiating period. They previously lost running back/Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to the Chiefs and safety Coby Bryant to the Bears.
Wow 20$ million. I think he his better than a part-time player but 20$ milli is crazy af
Considering Oweh just got 25 for 4 this looks like great value
I like Mafah better. But my thinking was 17- 18 million max per year. But no matter the price I do like this pickup
And they didn’t want to give this money to Hendrickson due to guarantees? What a joke
why do you think Hendrickson is only getting 20 mil? he was 30 mil last season and will get that or more this season.
lmao you’re right, I meant like at least that 20 mill idk
If Hendrickson would’ve accepted anywhere close to $20M, he’d have been extended a LONG time ago.
Dam I thought the bengals were supposed to be a cheap franchise 😂
their not cheap because of annual value, they are cheap because of guaranteed money.
Thanks, Boye! Forever LX!
Big number, but a good player who entered the league fairly raw and is just recently 27. Possible he has another step left to grow.