As one of the worst units in football, the Bengals know they need to make big moves now to improve this defense going into next season.
Super Bowl 60 has officially come and gone, with the Seattle Seahawks capturing revenge from their crushing loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 49. Running back Kenneth Walker was announced as the Super Bowl MVP after contributing 27 carries for 135 yards.
Now that the 2025 NFL season is officially over, all 32 teams can direct their sights toward contending for the Lombardi Trophy on Valentine’s Day of 2027. The Cincinnati Bengals, who have missed the playoffs for the last three consecutive seasons, are running it back with the same core going into 2026. While all three other AFC North teams hired new head coaches, the Bengals chose to keep head coach Zac Taylor, along with coordinators Dan Pitcher (offense), Al Golden (defense), and Darrin Simmons (assistant head coach/special teams).
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor | © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
While the superstar offensive unit of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown has proven that they can be one of the best in the NFL, the lackluster defense will obtain the majority of headlines this offseason. The first decision to make will involve superstar edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who is widely expected to test free agency after multiple contract disputes with Cincinnati’s front office over the past few years. It has been reported that his departure is not imminent, as many believed; the Bengals still have the option to use the franchise tag on the NFL’s Sack Leader in 2024 if the relationship isn’t damaged beyond repair.
Moving into NFL free agency, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport detailed his insight on Cincinnati’s path back to playoff and Super Bowl contention.
“I do expect the Bengals to take [Burrow’s] words, and kind of use it to spur them on a little bit to really spend this offseason,” said Rapoport. “I expect the Bengals to enhance and support everything Joe Burrow does, Mike, to spend probably more on the defense than anything else.”
This may not be breaking news to Bengals fans, but it is obviously encouraging to hear. There was no hiding the defense this season; they were statistically the worst in the NFL by several different metrics, and really had no source of star power. The offensive line will also need work to be done, but the defense was far and above the Bengals’ number one problem this season, and it’s positive to hear that the front office is willing to use its seventh-most cap space to give the unit a significant boost.
Free agency isn’t the only option for drastic improvement going into 2026. The Bengals were one of the biggest losers in terms of rookie production this season, further emphasizing how important it is to draft players who can make an immediate impact rather than trying to find players that will need years to develop into quality starters. There is also the trade market, where a star like Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders could be available for the right price. It will be interesting to see how committed general manager Duke Tobin is about winning now and if he’ll be enticed to use future draft compensation in trades to complete the 2026 roster.