What ultimately ends up happening at the edge rusher position for the Cincinnati Bengals is super interesting, even when taking out the Trey Hendrickson contract drama.
After all, Sam Hubbard retired, the team brought back Joseph Ossai and former first-rounder Myles Murphy heads into a sink-or-swim season that will have a huge impact on the overall defense.
The outlook, even without Hendrickson's situation, isn't lost on outsiders. Bleacher Report's Moe Moton, for example, just listed the Bengals as a fit for free agent Za'Darius Smith:
"Before the 2024 trade deadline, the Detroit Lions acquired Smith from the Cleveland Browns. After logging five sacks with the Browns, he helped fill a pass-rushing void with the Lions, who lost Aidan Hutchinson after he fractured his fibula and tibia."
The Bengals have eased up on the dislike of older free agents in recent years a bit, so the fact Smith will be 33 in September shouldn't be a big deal -- he still logged 35 total tackles and nine sacks with 25 pressures last season.
At this stage of free agency, the Bengals could be easily looking at rotational veterans like Smith who seek teams that look like contenders.
Last year showed the Bengals well enough how important a deep, capable pass-rushing rotation can be.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals listed as best fit for underrated free agent still on market