One of the more interesting elements around the Cincinnati Bengals as they head to free agency is defensive end Joseph Ossai.
A third-round pick by the Bengals in 2021, Ossai is still just 25 years old and one of the seemingly ascending edge rushers set to hit free agency next week.
Ossai re-signed with the Bengals last offseason on a prove-it one-year contract. He proved it by providing a steady presence, as he has in the past.
Hence, for example, Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com listing Ossai as the No. 44 overall free agent set to hit the market: “After returning to the Bengals on a one-year deal, Ossai recorded a career-high 43 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. He’ll do better in the market this time around.”
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper has him at No. 74 and 10th overall edge defender.
Market value? Spotrac has Ossai at an average of $9.2 million per year, branching out to four years and $36.8 million based on comparable players, age and past contracts around the NFL.
It’s really hard to tell if the Bengals want to play ball on that price range with Ossai. They didn’t hit Trey Hendrickson with the $30.2 million franchise tag, but they do have first-round products Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy to soak up snaps.
Some of it might come down to the market. If another team gets in that price range and offers a chance at even more playing time, perhaps the Bengals don’t have a chance.
But one thing’s for sure: The Bengals have more than one edge rusher about to get a payday in free agency capable of boosting a defense.
