Bengals to sign Pro Bowl Commanders, Vikings DT to $28 million two-year deal

Coming into the 2026 NFL offseason, there was one major issue that the Cincinnati Bengals had to address in earnest: the defensive side of the ball.

While they've added Bryan Cook and Boye Mafe, the Bengals still need to add more to their defense to truly turn things around in 2026.

Fortunately, they've not stopped spending. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Bengals are in agreement on a $28 million two-year deal with former Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Johnathan Allen.

Bengals to sign Jonathan Allen to $28M deal

"Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and the Bengals have agreed to a two-year, $28M deal, per sources," Fowler reports. "Cincinnati pursued the former Pro Bowler aggressively after Minnesota released him."

The Bengals needed essentially every position on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. After adding Mafe, an edge rusher, and Cook, a safety, the Bengals have added Allen as their defensive tackle acquisition.

He was cut by the Vikings this offseason, so Allen will not count against the Bengals compensatory pick formula this offseason.

More: John Franklin-Myers to sign with Titans on $63M deal amid Bengals pursuit

Allen started 17 games for the Vikings last season, recording 3.5 sacks and 68 total tackles with seven tackles for loss and 11 quarterback hits.

In his nine-year NFL career, Allen has made two Pro Bowls in 2021 and 2022. He has 129 total quarterback hits, 67 tackles for loss, 469 total tackles, and 45.5 sacks.

He's a 31-year-old veteran, and while he might not be a long-term solution to the defensive tackle position for the Bengals, he should be a solid starter for the next two seasons as Cincinnati tries to win a Super Bowl in their Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase window.

More Bengals news:

• Dalton Risner’s return gives Joe Burrow his first fully returning OL since NFL debut
• Falcons strongly linked to Joe Flacco as Michael Penix insurance
• Bengals' Tee Higgins reveals the $700,000 transformation Joe Burrow couldn't resist
• Bengals to sign Boye Mafe to $60 million three-year contract
• Bengals to sign Bryan Cook to $40.25 million contract
• ESPN analyst praises Bengals for Boye Mafe $60M signing