As the NFL season hits its stride in mid-October 2026, the Cincinnati Bengals are reaping the rewards of a savvy free agency move. On the first day of free agency back in March, the Bengals made waves by signing edge rusher Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook, both fresh off Super Bowl victories with their previous teams. While Dexter Lawrence grabbed headlines, Mafe has quietly emerged as perhaps the most impactful addition. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, the 27-year-old pass rusher has been nothing short of spectacular through five games.
A Dominant Start to the Season
Mafe's stat line speaks volumes: three sacks, five tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one pass defensed. His performance in Sunday's win over the Miami Dolphins was a microcosm of his impact—a sack, a tackle for loss, two quarterback hits, and a pass defensed, plus a pressure on Malik Willis that led to a wobbly pass intercepted by Jordan Battle. "Right now, it's a mindset to go out there and show who I can be as a player," Mafe said after the game. "With the coaches trusting me to be that player, it's up to me to uphold that in my end of the bargain."
Teammates and Coaches Sing His Praises
Defensive tackle BJ Hill didn't hold back when describing Mafe's unique abilities. "He has a lot of juice, man," Hill said. "He can get after the quarterback. He can do it all. He's the guy you want on your team. I knew we had something special when he got here. He's a different cat. He's just different. That's all I can say. You'll have to ask him. He's different. You love to have that energy. You love having guys like that." Head coach Zac Taylor echoed that sentiment: "He's willing to do anything. Stop the run. Drop. Rush. Rush inside … That didn't surprise me. That's what we were banking on, that he'd give you that type of effort. He's completely bought in."
Advanced Metrics Back Up the Hype
Beyond the traditional stats, Mafe's advanced metrics are equally impressive. His Pro Football Focus grade in Sunday's win was 88.0, the highest of his career, with his second-highest being an 86.5 in Week 1. His 77.1 pass-rushing grade ranks tied for 13th among 103 edge players who have played at least 20% of their team's defensive snaps. Among all NFL players, his 25 pressures rank sixth. As highlighted on Vulius, these numbers underscore his elite pass-rushing prowess.
A Versatile Weapon
Mafe's versatility sets him apart. Unlike Trey Hendrickson, whom the Bengals signed at the same age in 2021, Mafe can defend the run, pressure the quarterback, and cause turnovers. His strip-sack of Baker Mayfield in the fourth quarter of Week 1 is a prime example. Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., who faced Mafe in 2023 and throughout training camp, praised his growth: "He has come in and been extremely competitive from Day 1. He's just a really good and smart football player who knows when to show up. What's most impressive is some of the clean wins that he has. He figures out a way to finish. That's a sign of a great defensive end. It's crazy. I feel like he has gotten better even since he got here."
The Closer the Bengals Needed
Finishing has been a problem for Cincinnati's defense in recent seasons, but Mafe could be the solution. His ability to close out games and make timely plays has already made a difference. While Dexter Lawrence may have grabbed the offseason headlines, Mafe is proving to be the Bengals' most important signing. With a three-year, $60 million deal, Cincinnati is getting a tremendous return on investment. As the season progresses, Mafe's impact will only continue to grow, and Bengals fans have every reason to be excited.
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