Kaden Elliss enters Day 2 market as Bengals weigh linebacker options

kaden elliss is one of the linebackers still on the market as the 2026 free agency tampering period moves into Day 2, with Cincinnati already agreeing to deals with safety Bryan Cook and defensive end Boye Mafe. The current signals point to a Bengals approach that starts with early defensive additions, then keeps the door open for targeted upgrades at positions where the board has thinned.

Cincinnati Bengals deals for Bryan Cook and Boye Mafe set an early tone

Cincinnati’s opening moves in the tampering period have been defensive, with agreements in place for Bryan Cook at safety and Boye Mafe at defensive end. Both are described as coming off rookie contracts and expected to be in the prime of their careers, and both were part of Super Bowl-winning teams. That combination of youth and pedigree is a clear clue about the type of profile Cincinnati prioritized first: players viewed as ready to contribute now, without being framed as late-career stopgaps.

Still, the context also makes clear that an early agreement at one spot does not shut down further activity. The note that signing Mafe “doesn’t mean they shouldn’t continue looking” at the defensive end position suggests Cincinnati’s defensive shopping list can remain active even after initial deals are reached. That same logic is relevant at linebacker, where the market has already changed quickly.

Kaden Elliss sits in a shifting linebacker market after Devin Lloyd signs

The linebacker portion of the board has a clear inflection point: Cincinnati “missed out” on Devin Lloyd, who signed with the Panthers on Monday night for an average annual value of $15 million per year. With that top-of-market outcome already settled, the remaining names discussed are framed less as the headliner and more as the next tier of potential solutions.

Within that group, kaden elliss is positioned as a veteran option. He is identified as a 31-year-old linebacker most recently with the Falcons and originally with the New Orleans Saints. The context also states he would be an upgrade over Barrett Carter at linebacker, placing Elliss directly into the “immediate improvement” category rather than a developmental add.

Another linebacker name highlighted is Leo Chenal, who has not been a full-time starter with the Chiefs but is described as impactful and approaching age 26. That pairing of options tells a lot about how the Bengals’ linebacker decision could be shaped by what remains available: a younger, not-yet-full-time starter option versus a veteran upgrade option.

Day 2 availability keeps multiple Bengals paths open across positions

Linebacker is not the only area where the context points to a still-open board. Cincinnati’s potential interest list spans quarterback, wide receiver, defensive end/edge, and defensive line. At quarterback, Joe Flacco is described as a top option on the list, with the benefit of veteran leadership and competitive play when called on. The context also notes other quarterbacks expected to be on the market by Wednesday: Kyler Murray, Kirk Cousins, Geno Smith, Russell Wilson, Tyrod Taylor, and Jimmy Garoppolo.

At wide receiver, the context emphasizes that it is not expected for Cincinnati to add at the position, but it leaves open the idea of a slot upgrade. Christian Kirk and Darnell Mooney are floated as potential fits, described as providing quicker separation than Andrei Iosivas. On the edge, Arnold Ebikitie is highlighted as intriguing, with a decreased role in Atlanta due to young rookies last year; he recently turned 27 and is projected for a two-year, $16 million contract. Additional available names at that position are listed: Joey Bosa, Jadeveon Clowney, Bradley Chubb, Cameron Jordan, K’Lavon Chaisson, and Trey Hendrickson.

The defensive line section also shows a market reality check: Cincinnati missed out on John Franklin-Myers, described as far and away the best available player at that position. The remaining names mentioned include Logan Hall, a 26-year-old who could add versatility and “juice, ” and Calais Campbell, who will be turning 40 but is described as having no decline in impact. DJ Reader is also mentioned as stout against the run, with an open question about whether he would accept a rotational role and contract.

If Cincinnati continues adding on defense after Cook and Mafe… the context points to linebacker as one of the clearest next places to watch, because the position already has a defined miss (Devin Lloyd to Carolina) and a defined set of alternatives (Leo Chenal and kaden elliss) presented as meaningful upgrades. In that continuation path, the Bengals’ approach would resemble a layered build: early defensive starters, then additional pieces that elevate weaker units.

Should the market open further by Wednesday for quarterbacks and other positions… Cincinnati’s decision tree could widen, because the context explicitly flags a wave of expected quarterback availability by that day. That kind of timing can matter for how aggressively a team acts elsewhere, even if the article does not specify Cincinnati’s internal priorities beyond the players listed.

The next confirmed milestone in the context is the expectation that multiple quarterbacks could be on the market by Wednesday. What the context does not resolve is whether Cincinnati’s next move will focus on linebacker help such as kaden elliss or whether the team will shift attention to another position group where notable names remain available.