Defensive coordinator Al Golden and the Cincinnati Bengals are ready to attack the 2026 NFL offseason by revolutionizing the defense. After a lackluster 2025 campaign, which led to a third-straight playoff absence, it’s time to rebuild the defensive unit inside and out, and that starts with the Combine from this weekend. 

It’s essential that Golden, along with general manager Duke Tobin and head coach Zac Taylor, use every method possible to upgrade most positions, but the draft is one area that needs vast improvement compared to last year. Rookie first-round pick Shemar Stewart ranked as the least productive first-round pick in the NFL last season, and with the 10th pick in this year’s draft, the Bengals need an immediate difference-maker on defense.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart (97) | © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

While there isn’t one position that is especially more important than the others to improve upon, there is a big hole to fill in superstar edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, assuming he is traded or leaves in free agency. With several defensive linemen expected to go in the top-10 picks of the draft, the Bengals will have a big decision to make come April 23rd.

There is a certain type of player that Golden told reporters he is specifically looking for in this offseason, while at the combine in Indianapolis.

“You need force multipliers,” said Golden. “You need someone in the defensive end room that can play outside linebacker. You need linebackers that can play on and off the line of scrimmage. You need a, like you’re saying, a star or nickel, whatever you want to call him, he’s either gotta come from the corner room or the safety room, and if the guy can do both, well man, you got something. We’re looking for versatility. I love versatility in our system, in our program, and especially if you can do it without substitution. That’s what makes you dangerous.”

Positional versatility has become the dream across all sports in recent years. In basketball, it’s rare to see players only be able to play one of the five positions these days, and the same is becoming true, to an extent, for football as well. 

Jacksonville Jaguars fans are already seeing the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Travis Hunter, playing both wide receiver and cornerback as he did at the University of Colorado. While the Bengals aren’t necessarily looking for an extreme like him, it’s important for Golden to have leaders on the field who are able to defend multiple positions, routes, or coverages on the fly without needing a substitution.

The simple fact of the matter is that the ability to acquire players of this caliber is limited. It’s already difficult enough for most players to transition from college to the pros in their first year, so asking them to do even more could lead to the same problems Cincinnati faced in the beginning of the 2025 campaign. 

That leaves free agency and the trading block to suffice those needs. There is no excuse in terms of assets, as the Bengals have the seventh-highest available cap space this offseason, along with nearly all of their draft picks for the next four years. Tobin has been vocal about his commitment to being “all in” to get this team back to playoff and Super Bowl contention, and this offseason will be the answer to how true that statement is.