Unexpected returns, lack of interior attention, and other surprises from Bengals free agency

All's quiet on the veteran player market in the NFL. It will be like this for the next month as the league makes final preparations for the NFL Draft.

We're just about at that point to wrap a bow on free agency, and it was not quite the expected outcome for the Cincinnati Bengals. Some of the players returning were just as unanticipated as the positions that simply weren't addressed, or addressed properly. 

These were the moves, made or not made, that raised eyebrows in Cincinnati over the last few weeks.

B.J. Hill and Joseph Ossai returning in a new defense

I wasn't sure which player was going to receive the bulk of Cincinnati's free agency money, but I was pretty sure it wasn't going to be Hill. The soon-to-be 30-year old successfully played out a three-year contract this past season, and his age suggested the Bengals would look in a different direction. Hill instead received almost the exact same deal he signed back in 2022, ensuring the defensive line would have one of its leaders in the fold for the next few years only days after Sam Hubbard retired and Trey Hendrickson began seeking a trade.

Ossai was just as surprising to me. The former third-round pick was often kept on the sidelines in favor of Hubbard and no one would've blamed him for wanting a fresh start elsewhere even with Hubbard and former defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo out of the picture. There was also the variable of his agent being David Mulugheta, whom the Bengals have had issues working with in the past. Nevertheless, Ossai welcomed another contract year in the Queen City, and the Bengals got the deal done.  

Lack of a new pass rushing threat

Hill, Ossai, and new nose tackle T.J. Sheldon took all of the cash that went toward the defensive line. Sheldon is notably the only one who wasn't on the team last year, and he was not signed for his prowess on passing downs. The decision to not sign, or possibly even pursue, someone who could bolster one of the league's worst pass rush units from last year was questionable at the very least.

Further development was always going to be critical here. Ossai, Myles Murphy, and Kris Jenkins Jr. are all expected to play more next season and a lack of production won't be tolerated under new coaching. That said, one has to believe more help is coming via the draft. There's simply not enough juice on the roster to get after the quarterback.