The Cincinnati Bengals made a savvy roster move on Friday, claiming linebacker Swayze Bozeman off waivers from the New York Giants. In a corresponding transaction, the team also signed undrafted free agent safety Isaiah Nwokobia, adding depth to the secondary.
Bozeman, a second-year pro out of the University of Southern Mississippi, entered the NFL as a college free agent signee with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024. Since then, he's carved out a niche as a versatile special teams contributor and rotational linebacker. Over nine career games split between the Chiefs (2024) and Giants (2025), Bozeman has logged five defensive tackles and four special teams stops—a solid foundation for a player still finding his footing in the league.
For the Bengals, this acquisition adds another physical presence to a linebacker corps that values toughness and adaptability. Bozeman's experience on special teams could prove valuable as the team looks to shore up that unit heading into the season. Meanwhile, Nwokobia's addition suggests Cincinnati is casting a wide net for young talent in the defensive backfield.
As the NFL offseason continues to churn, these under-the-radar moves often pay dividends when injuries hit. For Bengals fans, Bozeman's journey from undrafted free agent to a team with playoff aspirations is one to watch—especially if he can translate his special teams grit into meaningful defensive snaps.
