The free agency legal tampering period begins on Tuesday, March 7 at 12:00 p.m. ET and runs through the official start of free agency on Thursday, March 9 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Rumors have already started to emerge on free agents, but more and more will come to light as we near the start of the new league year on Thursday.
The Bengals’ free agents are: left tackle Andrew Whitworth, defensive tackle Domata Peko, wide receiver Brandon LaFell, cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, linebacker Karlos Dansby, right guard Kevin Zeitler, offensive tackle Eric Winston, running back Cedric Peerman, defensive end Margus Hunt, defensive end Wallace Gilberry, cornerback Chykie Brown, running back Rex Burkhead and center/guard T.J. Johnson (restricted free agent).
Here’s our collection and tracker of Bengals free agency rumors. Be sure to bookmark or refresh this page for new updates.
2016 Bengals player signings
Bengals re-sign Wallace Gilberry
Bengals re-sign Cedric Peerman to one-year deal
Bengals bring back Andre Smith
Rex Burkhead signs with Patriots
Margus Hunt signs two-year deal with Colts
Domata Peko signs two-year deal with Broncos
Bengals re-sign Eric Winston to 1-year deal
Bengals re-sign Dre Kirkpatrick to 5-year deal
Bengals re-sign Brandon LaFell to 2-year deal
Andrew Whitworth signs three-year deal with Rams
Karlos Dansby signs one-year deal with Cardinals
Kevin Zeitler signs five-year deal with Browns
Bengals tampering period news:
Zeitler choosing between Saints and Browns
49ers, Eagles, Vikings interested in Domata Peko
Zeitler drawing interest from Colts, Browns, Jaguars and “EVERY TEAM”
Jaguars interested in Kevin Zeitler
Steelers fans want Dre Kirkpatrick in Pittsburgh
Bengals extend RFA tender to T.J. Johnson
Bengals apparently making progress in negotiations with Dre Kirkpatrick
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) March 9, 2017
#Browns are the front runners to secure Kevin Zeitler and retain WR Terrelle Pryor
— Down With Damon (@DownWithDamon) March 9, 2017
Hearing Steelers don’t plan to sign Dre Kirkpatrick - not at $10m+ py. Were in early on
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 9, 2017
There is a lot of concern in Bengals headquarters about this year's free-agent defections mirroring last year's. Lot of talent getting away
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 9, 2017
#Steelers do indeed have high grade on free agent CB Logan Ryan. But told Dre Kirkpatrick still top choice. Of course Gilmore $ complicates https://t.co/B8lj5ybRkJ
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) March 9, 2017
Bengals, who lost a lot of talent a year ago and fear another purge, focused on trying to keep CB Dre Kirkpatrick. Strong $$ on the table
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 8, 2017
Whitworth also got lot of play but cincy smartly tried to convince teams at combine it was in stone he was back. Whit tried to insist not so
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) March 8, 2017
Brandon LaFell casually tells Bengals to re-sign Kevin Zeitler on Instagram pic.twitter.com/AAdiJmN1Q8
— Cincy Jungle (@CincyJungle) March 8, 2017
Source says #Vikings have reached out to reps of Cincy FA DT Domata Peko. Also in mix are Cincy, Philly, SF. Peko is a Mike Zimmer favorite.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 8, 2017
Domata Peko, 32, generally nose tackle but source said would have interest in being rotation guy behind Linval Joseph if reunited w/ Zimmer
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 8, 2017
Seahawks monitoring market for many RBs (AP, Blount, Cunningham) and OL (Lang, Whitworth, Okung). Will be active but smart on the $$ too
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 8, 2017
Lots of talk that G Kevin Zeitler ends up in Jacksonville. Still a lot of talk about other clubs, but #Jaguars come up again and again.
— Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) March 8, 2017
Interesting thing will be how high to Gilmore/Bouye go - and can that bring Logan Ryan/Dre Kirkpatrick to $10M/year?
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 7, 2017
Steelers at least feeling out Dre Kirkpatrick free agency this week, from what I’m hearing. Not sure about price/comfort but they are in mix
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 8, 2017
Bengals may keep Domata Peko to mentor Andrew Billings
.@MikeSilver tells @NFLNetwork 'it's more likely than not that Kirk Cousins ends up being the 49ers quarterback.'
— Marc Sessler (@MarcSesslerNFL) March 7, 2017
Pre-tampering period Bengals rumors:
Steelers and Titans interested in Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick
Multiple #NFL sources are expecting the free agent contract of #Bengals guard Kevin Zeitler to land between $10-$12 million per season.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) March 6, 2017
A lot of chatter connecting #Bengals CB Dre Kirkpatrick to the #Steelers.
— Jason Cole (@JasonColeBR) March 6, 2017
NFL Noteworthy Cuts
- 49ers release wide receiver Torrey Smith.
- Bills cut kicker Dan Carpenter, corner Nickell Robey-Coleman, safety Phillip Thomas, tight end Gerald Christian and long snapper Garrison Sanborn.
- Chargers cut offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, cornerback Brandon Flowers and wide receiver Stevie Johnson.
- Ravens released cornerback Shareece Wright and safety Kendrick Lewis.
- 49ers cut center Marcus Martin.
- Ravens released five-time Pro Bowl linebacker Elvis Dumervil.
My message to the @Ravens organization and the #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/1PZtYuoNcf
— Elvis Dumervil (@EKD92) March 8, 2017
NFL news and signings
The Patriots tendered TE Matt Lengel Tuesday, per source. Exclusive rights free agent will be back in New England.
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) March 7, 2017
#Bucs are set to make a strong push for #Redskins WR DeSean Jackson, I’m told. He has lots of interest. But Tampa will make a strong attempt
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 7, 2017
Let’s take a moment to laugh at this...
According to @MikeGarafolo, it will take “a first round pick for this year AND a first round pick for next year” to get Garoppolo from Pats
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) March 7, 2017
And this...
Cardinals and TE Jermaine Gresham have reached agreement on a four-year deal, per sources. One TE off the market.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 7, 2017
Giants seeking to restructure Pro Bowl special teamer and WR Dwayne Harris - absent agreement he could be released, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2017
Skins will be in on Dontari Poe, a top target. Also in the safety market, with Barry Church, a target for JAX as well, in their sights
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 8, 2017
Giants sign Brandon Marshall to two-year, $12 million deal
49ers, Pierre Garcon nearing deal that could pay $16 million in first year
I'm told RT Ricky Wagner has agreed to terms with the #Lions.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) March 8, 2017