Per Paul Dehner Jr., the Bengals aren’t done making defensive moves in free agency and plan to make a move at linebacker.
Dehner names Chiefs LB Leo Chenal and Falcons LB Kaden Elliss as available options who are scheme fits under DC Al Golden. Cincinnati was busy signing defenders on day one of the legal tampering period, adding S Bryan Cook and DE Boye Mafe.
Elliss, 30, was selected in the seventh round of the 2019 draft out of Idaho by the Saints. He played out his four-year, $2.6 million rookie contract in New Orleans before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
The Falcons signed Elliss to a three-year, $21.5 million contract that included $10 million in guarantees. He made a base salary of $4.9 million in 2025.
In 2025, Elliss appeared in all 17 games for the Falcons and recorded 107 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and six pass deflections.
Chenal, 25, was a third-round pick by the Chiefs in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin. He just finished a four-year, $5,044,904 rookie deal and made a base salary of $3,356,000 in 2025.
In 2025, Chenal appeared in 14 games for the Chiefs and recorded 58 total tackles, two sacks, one interception and two pass defenses.
We have both players included in our Top 100 2026 NFL Free Agents list.
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