The Cincinnati Bengals are heading into the 2026 offseason with some key needs all across the defensive side of the ball.
While more help along the offensive line couldn’t hurt, the Bengals desperately need to improve the defense. And most importantly, the pass rusher room, now that Trey Hendrickson is set to leave, needs a jolt.
Fortunately, a former Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher who has 113 career sacks and is a future Hall of Famer, is a free agent. And Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine named this player, Khalil Mack, as a “perfect” free agent for the Bengals to sign this offseason.
Bengals linked to Khalil Mack as ‘perfect’ free agent fit
“With Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy on the roster, they have young players ready to take on larger roles,” Ballentine writes. “Khalil Mack would be the ideal mentor to target for them. He’s 35, but he was still an excellent edge-setter with a 14.8 pressure rate last season.”
The Bengals need to add more pass-rusher juice to their defensive line this offseason. Hendrickson is as good as gone, and Stewart and Murphy, while holding potential, haven’t turned into NFL-caliber pass rushers just yet.
Mack, on the other hand, is about as experienced as they come. In his 12-year NFL career, Mack has 113 sacks, 5.5 of which came last season with the Chargers.
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While he might not be his prime self, when he was putting up double-digit sack numbers every year, he is still one of the more consistent and strong edge defenders in the league.
He’s 35 years old, and is a nine-time Pro Bowler, three-time first-team All-Pro, and a member of the Hall of Fame All-2010’s Team.
Mack is a fantastic player to target this offseason for the Bengals, as he won’t cost as much as Hendrickson, but could still give similar production.
Mack would be a fun addition for the Bengals, and Ballentine named the veteran pass rusher as the Bengals’ “perfect” free agent fit this offseason.
