Taking a page out of their Super Bowl defense of five years ago, the Bengals made a big, early splash in free agency when Monday reports had them agreeing to a deal with playoff veteran safety Bryan Cook.
Cook, a suburban Cincinnati product from Mount Healthy High School, fits the mold of those 2020-21 signings as a young (he turns 27 on Opening Day week), experienced postseason player. A second-round pick of the Chiefs in 2022, Cook has appeared in six playoff games, two Super Bowls and has two rings.
The 6-1, 206-pound Cook also fits the mold as exactly what they were looking for in free agency that began Monday, a sure-tackling and savvy running mate for safety Jordan Battle. Cook was ranked the fifth-best safety by Pro Football Focus last season. That included a missed tackle rate of 5.6%. Of the safeties who played at least Cook's 897 snaps last season, only three had a better tackling percentage.
Cook, who began his college career at Howard before finishing at the University of Cincinnati, joins a handful of players who played their scholastic, college and pro careers in Cincinnati. The homecoming can't be official until the deal is signed in the NFL's new year, which begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
