The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to a three-year, $42.5 million contract with former Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The 26-year-old free agent had his best NFL season in 2025, recording six pass breakups and 85 tackles while starting every game for the Chiefs.

Cook, a 2022 second-round pick, became a key piece of Kansas City's defense during their recent Super Bowl runs. He recorded 17 tackles in six postseason games, including a leaping interception in Super Bowl LIX. Under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Cook developed into a versatile secondary player who could serve as a deep defender or help disguise coverage schemes.

This signing represents a significant addition for the Bengals' defense as they look to strengthen their secondary. Cook's journey from Kansas City's 2022 draft class - which also included George Karlaftis, Isiah Pacheco, and Trent McDuffie - to becoming a free agent target shows his development into a reliable starter. The Bengals are betting on his continued growth after he overcame a season-ending ankle injury in 2023 to return as a full-time starter.