Former Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook signed a three-year contract worth up to $40.25 million with $14 million guaranteed with the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Over The Cap data. The deal addresses a major defensive liability for Cincinnati by replacing Geno Stone with a player who ranked as Pro Football Focus’s fourth-highest-rated safety and boasted a low 5.6 percent missed tackle rate.
Bryan Cook Contract Details and Cap Impact With the Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals addressed a glaring defensive weakness this offseason by securing safety Bryan Cook on a three-year contract worth up to $40.25 million, which includes $14 million in guaranteed money. According to Over The Cap, Cook carries a cap hit just over $10.6 million for the season. This figure accounts for 3.37 percent of the team’s salary cap, slotting him as the 12th highest-paid safety in the NFL at the time of the signing.
Pro Tip: When evaluating safety contracts, front offices look closely at guaranteed money versus total value. Cook’s $14 million guarantee provides financial security for the player while giving the Bengals flexibility in future cap management. Read more about roster management strategies in our Cincinnati Bengals cap space analysis.
This financial commitment reflects the front office’s urgency to fix a defense that struggled heavily over the previous couple of seasons. By targeting a player familiar with the local football scene, the franchise secured a proven starter to anchor the secondary.
Local fans largely remember Cook from his college career at the University of Cincinnati during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. During the 2021 campaign, he was a vital piece of the squad that earned a spot in the College Football Playoffs. His play earned him first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors.
Following his college success, the Kansas City Chiefs selected Cook in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He earned a starting role in 2023. Despite missing the final five games of the 2023 season, Cook bounced back to start every game since the beginning of 2024. Over his professional career, he has accumulated 148 solo tackles, 15 passes defended, three interceptions, and four tackles for a loss, according to league statistics.
Replacing Geno Stone: Solving the Bengals’ Open-Field Tackling Woes
Cook steps in to replace Geno Stone, whose tenure in Cincinnati failed to meet expectations. Stone was meant to be a ball hawk capable of generating turnovers, but he struggled with open-field tackling, becoming a defensive liability.
Cook offers the opposite skillset. Pro Football Focus graded Cook as the fourth-highest-rated safety in 2025, highlighting his efficiency. Crucially, Cook missed just 5.6 percent of his tackle attempts last season. Furthermore, Pro Football Focus ranked him as the sixth-highest-rated safety in coverage, proving he provides stopping power without sacrificing defensive backfield security.
Did You Know? Reliable open-field tackling was a rarity among most defenders for the Cincinnati defense last season. Cook’s low missed-tackle rate directly targets that specific statistical deficiency. Check out external insights on defensive metrics via Pro Football Focus.
Championship Pedigree and Defensive Leadership
Beyond statistics, Cook brings an intangible asset to the locker room: championship experience. Having spent years developing within the Kansas City Chiefs organization, Cook understands how a championship-winning defense prepares.
The Bengals defense has needed more leadership and poise during recent struggles. Bringing in a player who has been to the top of the mountain provides a stabilizing presence for younger roster pieces. It is a straightforward pairing of a premier talent filling an undeniable positional need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the terms of Bryan Cook’s contract with the Cincinnati Bengals?
Bryan Cook signed a three-year contract worth up to $40.25 million, including $14 million in guaranteed money, according to Over The Cap.
What was Bryan Cook’s PFF rating and tackling grade?
Cook was graded by Pro Football Focus as the fourth-highest-rated safety, boasting an impressive 5.6 percent missed tackle rate.
Where did Bryan Cook play college football?
Cook played two seasons at the University of Cincinnati, culminating in a 2021 College Football Playoff appearance and first-team All-AAC honors.
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