New England Patriots rumors: 3 Bengals to target in 2022 NFL free agency

The Cincinnati Bengals were just minutes away from winning Super Bowl LVI and their ride to the big game should absolutely inspire the New England Patriots as they now strive to build a winning roster around Mac Jones.

Behind young quarterback Joe Burrow, the Bengals roared through the Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs with an opportunistic offense and a very underrated defense that stepped up in the playoffs like Super Bowl bound defenses typically do.

Aside from kicker Evan McPherson taking in the half time show, the Bengals were locked in on upsetting a Los Angeles Rams team that built their championship team through free agency and trades.

New England Patriots should be inspired by the Bengals ride to Super Bowl LVI

Led by Burrow, running back Joe Mixon, 2022 Rookie NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Ja’Marr Chase, and a core of other emerging players they drafted, the Bengals were the prime definition of building a team through the draft and adding complimentary players through free agency.

That is the model of building a championship level Bill Belichick and the Patriots have gotten back to the last two seasons.  Yes, they spent big on free agents last year, but that was a result of poor roster building through the draft.

Like the Bengals have done in building a roster around Burrow, the Patriots can now start building around Jones on both sides of the ball by adding talent in key areas via the 2022 NFL Draft and get back to adding complimentary pieces via free agency.

In looking at Cincinnati Bengals pending free agents, there are three players at some key positions who Belichick and the New England Patriots should target as complimentary pieces on defense.