Reid Maus and Craig Sandlin break down the candidacy of Caleb Downs to be the pick for the Bengals at pick 10. They break down his draft profile including his strengths, weaknesses, and what their reaction would be to Downs being the pick for the Bengals at 10.

Craig and Reid discuss the prospect of the Bengals drafting Sonny Styles with the #10 overall pick.

Reid breaks down the Kyle Dugger signing and what this means for the rest of the offseason for the Bengals.

Craig Sandlin and Reid Maus discuss the recent Bengals signings of Joe Flacco and Josh Johnson. Craig Sandlin believes that Joe Burrow's position as the starter is in trouble!

The Cincinnati Bengals make another big splash in Free Agency as they sign veteran Defensive Tackle Jonathan Allen. Reid and Craig discuss.

The Cincinnati Bengals made their first major move of the 2026 NFL free-agency cycle Monday, reportedly agreeing to terms with former Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook on a multi-year deal.

According to reports from NFL insiders, Cook is signing a three-year contract worth approximately $42.5 million to join Cincinnati’s secondary once the new league year officially begins. The agreement came shortly after the NFL’s legal tampering window opened, allowing teams to negotiate with pending unrestricted free agents before contracts can be formally signed later in the week.

Cook, 26, spent the first four seasons of his career in Kansas City after being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. During his time with the Chiefs, he developed into a reliable starter and key contributor in the secondary. Over 62 regular-season games with 47 starts, Cook recorded 238 tackles, three interceptions, 15 passes defended and a sack.

His best statistical season came in 2025, when he posted a career-high 85 tackles and six pass breakups while starting every game for Kansas City. Cook also gained valuable postseason experience, appearing in multiple playoff games during his tenure with the Chiefs and helping anchor one of the AFC’s most consistent defenses.

The signing addresses a major need for Cincinnati heading into the offseason. The Bengals entered free agency with uncertainty at safety, particularly with veteran Geno Stone expected to depart and the team looking for more physical play and consistency on the back end of its defense.

Cook also brings strong local ties to the organization. A Cincinnati native who attended Mount Healthy High School and later starred for the Cincinnati Bearcats football program, he now returns home to play professionally in the city where he grew up.

For the Bengals, the move signals an early commitment to strengthening the defense around franchise quarterback Joe Burrow as the team looks to return to playoff contention in the AFC. With Cook expected to step into an immediate starting role, Cincinnati hopes the experienced safety can stabilize the secondary and provide leadership for a defense undergoing key offseason changes.

On today's show, Stone sits down with Joe Gooberry to break down all of the top realistic free agent targets for the Cincinnati Bengals before the NFL's legal tampering period opens on Monday.

OTHER CHATTERBOX PROGRAMMING:

The Stone Shields Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/west-4th-and-long/id1828384424

Chatterbox Reds: https://linktr.ee/chatterboxreds

Chatterbox Bearcats: https://chatterboxbearcats.podbean.com/

The Dalton Risner has agreed to return to the Cincinnati Bengals on a new contract, bringing continuity to one of the team’s most important offensive pieces. Official announcements from the Bengals this morning confirm that Risner has signed a one-year deal for the 2026 season, marking his second consecutive year in Cincinnati after joining as a free agent ahead of the 2025 campaign. The contract is reportedly worth up to $5 million, according to league sources.

Risner became a key contributor to the Bengals’ offensive line last season, playing in 14 games and making 11 starts throughout the 2025 schedule. His versatility—lining up at guard and providing reliable pass protection—helped stabilize a unit that had seen turnover and injuries. His return ensures that the protection in front of quarterback Joe Burrow remains anchored by experienced linemen as Cincinnati looks to improve on its offensive performance in 2026.

The re-signing was first made public on social media by Risner’s wife, Whitney, before the team confirmed the deal later in the morning. Fan reaction on community and team forums has been positive, with many supporters pleased that the Bengals prioritized locking him up before free agency officially begins.

For Cincinnati, Risner’s return is also a strategic move ahead of what figures to be a busy offseason. Securing a starting guard early allows the front office to focus on other roster needs—particularly on defense—without risking a key free agent slipping away. It’s the Bengals’ first noticeable move of the offseason, signaling their intention to build continuity around a core group while also addressing the wider team picture.