The NFL legal tampering period begins at noon on Monday and lasts through Wednesday until the new league year starts at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11.
Legal tampering means teams can agree to terms to sign free agents, but cant actually sign them until the new league year begins.
The Bengals re-signed guard Dalton Risner ahead of free agency and also didn’t apply the franchise tag to defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
The Bengals have needs on the defensive line, in the secondary and linebacker.
Follow along to see what the Bengals do as the NFL legal tampering period opens.
Bengals not tendering QB Jake Browning
A source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that the Bengals are not tendering restricted free-agent quarterback Jake Browning but are open to bringing him back. Browning, 29, has been a backup to Joe Burrow during the past three seasons.
Travis Kelce heads for year 14 with Kansas City Chiefs
ESPN reported that free-agent tight end Travis Kelce, a former University of Cincinnati star who has won three Super Bowl titles, has decided to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs. It will be his 14th season with the team.
RB Kenneth Walker III will sign with Kansas City Chiefs
Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is signing with the Chiefs, Adam Schefter reported on “The Pat McAfee Show.” Walker carried 27 times for 135 yards and added 26 receiving yards for the Seattle Seahawks in their Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots.
Indianapolis Colts keep UC product Alec Pierce
Former Bearcat Alec Pierce, a free-agent receiver, will stay with the Indianapolis Colts, according to Schefter, who is reporting it to be a four-year, $116 million deal. Pierce has played four years for the Colts and totaled 17 touchdowns. Last season, he had 47 receptions for 1,003 yards − both career highs.
The Indianapolis Star reported that the deal is worth “$60 million in guaranteed money at signing, $84 million in total guarantees and up to $116 million overall.” It said Pierce is the highest paid wide receiver free agent in NFL history.
Dallas trades for Green Bay pass rusher Rashan Gary
Green Bay traded pass rusher Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick, the NFL Network reported. Gary had 46.5 sacks in seven years with the Packers, including 24 over the past three seasons. He was the type of player the Bengals could have been interested in.
Sheldon Rankins returns to Houston Texans
The Texans and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins agreed to a two-year deal, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Rankins spent the 2024 season with the Bengals.
What is the NFL legal tampering period
The legal tampering period is the three days before the new league year begins at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Teams are allowed to agree to terms with free agents during the legal tampering period, but contracts can’t be signed until the new league year begins.
Bengals unrestricted free agents
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Will Bengals make moves during legal tampering period? Follow along
Reporting by Dave Clark, Jason Hoffman, Kelsey Conway and Pat Brennan, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
