2026 NFL free agent linebackers for the Bengals to target

In 2020, the Cincinnati Bengals needed a linebacker, and three names were commonly discussed among Bengals fans: Joe Schobert, Blake Martinez, and Cory Littleton.

At age 27, Schobert signed a $53.75 million deal with the Jaguars. At 28, they traded him to the Steelers. At 29, Pittsburgh made him a salary cap casualty. He played six more games after that and retired

A 26-year-old Blake Martinez signed a $30 million contract with the New York Giants. He had 151 tackles that season, but only played 8 more games over the next three years. At 27, an ACL injury ended his season, and indeed his time as a Giant. He had brief stints with the Raiders and the Steelers, and was out of the league by age 30.

Littleton signed a $35 million deal with the Raiders at 27. His production took an instant hit. After having 259 tackles and 7.5 sacks over the previous two seasons, he had 180 tackles and 0.5 sacks over the next two seasons. At 29, he moved on to the Panthers, where he started 7 games. Then at 30, he spent time with two different teams, playing in 10 games and not starting a single one.

The Bengals went with Josh Bynes (31) for $1.6 and drafted Logan Wilson with a plan for him to take over in a year.

Devin Bush and Devin Lloyd are both very good players coming off of very excellent seasons, but at they are also both 27 and looking for massive paydays. It might be good for a year, but if the past is any indicator, they could be in for a rapid decline.

With that in mind, here are my top linebackers for the Bengals to consider. A couple of them are younger, and a couple are older, but are unlikely to find a large long-term contract.

1. Leo Chenal

The 25-year-old Chenal is an excellent athlete who had a good year for the Chiefs before a shoulder injury ended it in Week 15. He had 58 tackles in only 440 snaps this season.

Chenal ran a 4.53 40 at the NFL Combine and has been a consistent contributor for the Chiefs’ defense throughout his career, making 44 starts in four seasons.

Chenel is coming off an injury, but looks to be an affordable option with a lot of upside.

2. Nakobe Dean

Oren Burks got an opportunity in Philadelphia because the 25-year-old Nakobe Dean was injured, but could Dean be the right fit in Cincinnati?

Dean tore his patellar tendon during the Eagles’ Super Bowl run a year ago, causing him to miss the beginning of this season. His play has definitely dropped off since then, which could be permanent, or it could just mean he is still recovering.

Dean might be looking for a 1 year “prove it” deal to show that he is still the same guy he was in 2024, and he could be a steal if he is.

This would be a low-risk, low-reward signing for the Bengals.

3. Bobby Wagner

Now let’s look at the opposite end of the spectrum. Obviously, not all linebackers decline and fade away before their 30th birthday. Some stick around for quite some time.

Bobby Wagner was a part of the Legion of Boom, but at 35, he is still out here killing it.

Wagner posted 107 tackles and 5 snaps for Washington last season. This is an All-Pro who has been one of the stars on a Super Bowl Champion defense and has been the league’s most productive tackler in multiple seasons.

Wagner’s experience could be invaluable to this young linebacker group, as could his leadership for the entire defense.

4. Demario Davis

Demario Davis posted 99 tackles for the Saints a year ago, but at age 36, is he going to want to wait for that team to develop, or would he rather come play with one of the best quarterbacks in the league? After all, Davis has not won a Super Bowl, and his time may be running out.

Davis played for Bengals linebackers coach Mike Hodges previously, so there is already a relationship there. This in could be just the thing to lure Davis up north.

It also makes him a perfect leader for that young room. If there is one guy who knows what Hodges expects, it is Davis.

5. Justin Strnad

Justin Strnad may be as close to Josh Bynes as we get.

Strnad is 29 and started about eight games for Denver in each of the past two seasons and has been very solid. He could be just the guy to supplement Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight.

Providing veteran leadership, he could lock down the LB3 role, while being a suitable replacement if either Carter or Barrett gets hurt or stops progressing.