Bengals might've made $60 million mistake with signing of Seahawks EDGE

The Cincinnati Bengals have made a few big roster moves this offseason already. Through two weeks, the Bengals have added help on defense at the safety, defensive tackle, and edge rusher positions.

Bryan Cook signed a three-year deal to form a new safety duo with Jordan Battle. Jonathan Allen signed a two-year deal to bolster the interior of the defensive line.

But their other big move, a $60 million signing of former Seattle Seahawks EDGE Boye Mafe, according to Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport, is a mistake.

Bengals might've made $60M mistake with Boye Mafe

"In fairness, the guarantees on Mafe's deal aren't especially onerous," Davenport writes. And back in 2023, Mafe topped 50 tackles and added nine sacks. But that was then, and this is now. After that nine-sack season, Mafe has managed just eight sacks over the last two years combined, including a career-low two in 2025."

Cincinnati spent $60 million over three seasons on Mafe, though the actual financials of the deal are a good bit different than that $60 million number.

In reality, Mafe is making only $19 million guaranteed. He could make more depending on his play, and if he's still under contract. But, based on his production last year for the Seahawks, this was still an overpay in Davenport's eyes.

More: Bengals to sign Boye Mafe to $60 million three-year contract

Mafe struggled this past season for a Seahawks defense that was one of the best in the NFL en route to a Super Bowl. He is a fine player, but Davenport isn't a big fan of this $60 million deal.

"The Bengals were desperate at edge-rusher after the biggest names at the position signed elsewhere," Davenport writes. "And nothing leads to an overpay quicker than desperation."

While the $60 million figure might be an overpay for Mafe, fortunately for Cincinnati, they can get out of this deal after one season, thanks to only $19 million in guarantees, and an out in his deal after 2026.

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