The Bengals signed free agent Boye Mafe last week as a part of 2026 Free Agency. Here are five things to know about the newest Bengal EDGE rusher.

1. Super Seahawk

Mafe is fresh off a Super Bowl LX victory with the Seattle Seahawks over the New England Patriots. Mafe pressured QB Drake Maye three times in the 29-13 victory.

2. Minnesota Made

A native of Golden Valley, Minnesota, Mafe attended the University of Minnesota and was named All-Big Ten Second Team in 2021 while leading the Golden Gophers with seven sacks. He ranks top 10 all in time in school history with 15 sacks. Coming out of high school, the EDGE rusher was ranked as the No. 5 recruit in the state by both 247 Sports and Rivals. Mafe also lettered in track & field and basketball at Hopkins High School.

3. Sack Streak

Mafe spent the first four seasons of his career in Seattle after being drafted in the second round in 2022. He played all 17 games in his rookie season but broke out in 2023, leading the team with nine sacks. He also registered a takedown in seven-straight contests, the longest streak in Seahawks history.

4. Analytical Darling

While Mafe played about 50% of snaps along Seattle's deep defensive front this past season, the underlying analytics suggest there is a different level he can reach. Mafe posted a 19% pass rush win rate, according to ESPN, the eighth-highest figure among all EDGE rushers. For reference, record-setting Myles Garrett had a 21% pass rush win rate. Per Pro Football Focus, Mafe had 44 pressures last season and has 146 total pressures over the last three seasons.

5. Fishing Fanatic

Growing up in the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," Mafe loves spending time on the water, specifically fishing.

"Getting out to the lakes, I don't care how big or small the lake is, but when you get out to the lake in the summertime and you just sit there, even just watching the water and sitting on the shore, fishing, doing whatever you want to do, it's amazing," Mafe said in a 2020 interview.