The Seattle Seahawks are watching their Super Bowl roster walk out the door. Edge rusher Boye Mafe is the latest to leave, agreeing to a three-year, $60 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, March 9, 2026. The deal, confirmed by Mafe’s agent, gives Cincinnati an experienced pass rusher at a moment when its defensive edge desperately needed reinforcement.
Mafe’s departure marks the third major loss Seattle absorbed in a single day — a painful reminder that championship rosters rarely stay intact for long.
Four Years of Steady Production in Seattle
Mafe entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick in the 2022 draft and spent his entire career with the Seahawks before Monday’s move. Over 65 regular season appearances, he recorded
- 164 tackles
- 20 sacks
- Three forced fumbles
- Two fumble recoveries
He also appeared in four playoff games, logging seven tackles in the postseason — five of which came during Seattle’s championship run this past season. Mafe was never the flashiest name on Seattle’s defensive unit, but he was one of its most reliable. He set the edge against the run, generated consistent pressure, and played a meaningful role on a defense that allowed the fewest points in the NFL last season.
His path from mid-round pick to $60 million free agent is a story of quiet, sustained growth — the kind that earns respect around the league even without the headlines.
Why Mafe Was Exactly What Cincinnati Needed
The Bengals did not sign Mafe out of luxury — they signed him out of necessity. Cincinnati is entering the new season with a significantly thinner defensive front after losing two key edge rushers in a matter of hours. Trey Hendrickson, one of the AFC’s premier pass rushers in recent seasons, is widely expected to depart. Fellow edge rusher Joseph Ossai also agreed to join the New York Jets on Monday, leaving a sudden and serious void on the edge.
At 26 years old and fresh off a Super Bowl season, Mafe steps directly into that gap. He gives defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo a legitimate two-way edge contributor — someone who can both stop the run and pressure the quarterback — rather than a situational specialist. That versatility is precisely the profile Cincinnati needed to rebuild its pass rush heading into a season with serious playoff aspirations.
Seattle’s Championship Roster Scatters
Mafe’s exit is part of a broader and painful dispersal for the Seahawks. On the same day, running back Kenneth Walker agreed to join the Kansas City Chiefs on a three-year, $45 million deal, while safety Coby Bryant signed a three-year, $40 million contract with the Chicago Bears. Three significant contributors from Seattle’s title-winning team found new homes in a single afternoon, leaving fans stunned and marking a major roster shift for the franchise.
The Seahawks did manage to retain cornerback Josh Jobe, who re-signed with the team Monday. But the day’s overall balance was difficult for a franchise losing the core pieces that made it a champion, and it will take time to rebuild both depth and identity.
A Proven Competitor With Something to Prove
For Cincinnati, the Mafe signing carries weight beyond the contract figures. The Bengals have championship ambitions and have spent several offseasons trying to build a credible pass rush to match their offensive firepower. Mafe gives them a motivated, battle-tested edge rusher who arrives hungry — having won a Super Bowl and now stepping into a new environment where he will be counted on as a cornerstone of the defense.
A player with a ring, a point to prove, and a clear starting role is often the most dangerous kind of offseason acquisition. The Bengals are betting that Mafe is exactly that.
