Bengals Twitter enjoyed the signing of Jonathan Allen

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 14: Jonathan Allen #93 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on from the field during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The masses were uncomfortable with the Bengals’ free agency inactivity on Tuesday and Wednesday, but things revved up on Thursday. Cincinnati first announced a contract extension with Orlando Brown Jr., followed by reports of the team signing veteran defensive lineman Jonathan Allen to a two-year contract.

Allen joins a defensive-focused 2026 free agency class for the Bengals that also includes defensive lineman Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook. Allen’s contract is reportedly a two-year agreement that could be worth up to $28 million.

The Bengals made it clear this offseason would be centered on rebuilding their defense, and the early moves prove it. While Allen is up there in age (31), he’s a former Pro Bowl player who still has juice and can provide the needed leadership.

The veteran defensive lineman was a former 17th overall pick in 2017 by Washington. He spent the first eight seasons there, racking up two Pro Bowl nods (2021-2022). Allen was with the Vikings last season, who released him on Wednesday, and the Bengals reportedly pounced quickly to get him signed.

Let’s take a look at some tweets from X to get the vibes about Allen landing with Cincinnati.

Twitter Reactions on Jonathan Allen joining Bengals​

There’s a starting defensive tackle for the Bengals.

Three plus sacks in each of the last two seasons. I remember Dan Pitcher speaking highly of him before the Commanders game in 2024. A bigger deal for the Bengals for a guy over 30, but at an obvious position of need. https://t.co/KoeWaOBZfy

— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) March 12, 2026

Yo @jonallen93_ if you need a nutritionist or a realtor let me know, welcome home.

— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) March 12, 2026

Good!!! He was the BEST DT left!!

Now go get Okereke and we can go to the draft without massive glaring holes!!

You can recover this FA period #Bengalshttps://t.co/4LXb1NBFLb

— Codiki (@codiki) March 12, 2026

If CIN had to play a game tomorrow, the DL can line up this way on passing downs:

Murphy-Allen-Stewart-Mafe

That's better than last season, especially after Trey went down.

CIN still needs to add another Edge though.

Allen's a total pro. https://t.co/gU1TVLW1jJ

— Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) March 12, 2026

2026 Bengals by number of sacks in 2025

5.5 Murphy
4 Hill / ALLEN
3 Knight / Slaton
2 MAFE / Johnson
1.5 Jenkins
1 Stewart / Davis

— Matt (@CoachMinich) March 12, 2026

#Bengals will have two 31-year-old DTs in BJ Hill and Jonathan Allen.

They'll rotate in front of 2024 second-rounder Kris Jenkins and perhaps another draft pick of some kind.

Eventually DT needs to get younger, but rotation can help both Hill-Allen offer more and stay fresh.

— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) March 12, 2026

— BJ Hill (@BJHill5) March 12, 2026

Jonathan Allen has never had a QB like Burrow.

In the 7 years where he played most of the season, here were his QBs:

2018: Alex Smith
2019: Case Keenum
2020: Alex Smith (post leg injury)
2021: Taylor Heinicke
2022: Taylor Heinicke
2023: Sam Howell
2025: JJ McCarthy#GetReady

— Gus Frerotte Fan Club (@DocStripes) March 12, 2026

Jonathan Allen's 64 pressures when double teamed since the start of 2021 are the fifth most in the NFL in that span.

His 12 pressures when doubled in 2025 were tied for ninth most in the league.@Bengals | #WhoDeyhttps://t.co/mUtB9NvAbspic.twitter.com/WA4sJPqXFK

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 12, 2026

They better watch out, Burrow ready to face demons https://t.co/ibDHaVtO4Q

— Not Zac Taylor (@NotZacTaylor) March 12, 2026

Jonathan Allen loves to just run right through offensive guards. Monster. #Bengalspic.twitter.com/G5fALpSVOe

— Willie Lutz (@willielutz_) March 12, 2026

CIN – FA (so far)


ED Joseph Ossai (NYJ)
TE Noah Fant (NO)
G Cordell Volson (TEN)
ED Trey Hendrickson (BAL)
QB Jake Browning (TB)


S Bryan Cook (KC) – 3 yrs
ED Boye Mafe (SEA) – 3 yrs
DT Jonathan Allen (MIN) – 2 yrs

— BENGALS TALK (@BengalsTalk) March 12, 2026

Jonathan Allen 68 TKL, 3.5 SCK, 12 STF 2025 Season Highlights.

Allen joins the Bengals.pic.twitter.com/qTtt6Oxehthttps://t.co/QWn5obHgy9

— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) March 12, 2026

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