The Cincinnati Bengals are likely done in free agency with the 2025 NFL Draft quickly approaching, but a new wave of veteran free agency starts following the draft.
Established and experienced free agents will be able to tell which teams are still in need of their services if those teams didn't address the position they play in the draft. This creates a demand in the market, and they end up signing in time for offseason workouts or even as late as the start of training camp.
A former Pro Bowl safety is firmly in this class of player, and he named Cincinnati as one of his preferred landing spots.
Justin Simmons lists Bengals as a team he'd like to sign with
Justin Simmons made an appearance on Up & Adams with Kay Adams Tuesday morning and revealed he would like to sign with a team that has a chance to make the playoffs and win the whole thing. He included the Bengals in his short list.
"I said in a podcast maybe a couple weeks ago, maybe a month ago, but, teams like Buffalo, Philly, Cincinnati," Simmons said. "Teams that have always been in the mix. And obviously, Philly just winning it last year. Yeah, you know, it'd be special."
Simmons, who made two Pro Bowls and was a Second Team All-Pro four times during his eight years with the Denver Broncos, is entering his 10th season in the NFL. He played the 2024 season with the Atlanta Falcons and joined them thinking they were ready to compete for a championship. Atlanta proceeded to finish a game under .500.
Simmons is now a free agent once again, and wants to make sure he lands with a better team. The Bengals may've missed the postseason over the last two years, but haven't had a losing season since Joe Burrow's shortened rookie season due to injury.
The Bengals could also use Simmons as well. They're interested in upgrading from Geno Stone at free safety and could find said upgrade in the draft. If they happen to whiff on finding one, Simmons is now an option to sign following the draft. The cost to sign him could be mostly offset by releasing Stone after the fact.
Simmons is a bit on the older side at 31 years of age and is a bit past his prime, but if the Bengals rate him as a better player than Stone, they now know there's interest on the other side of the table.
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