Jon Gruden Explains Why the Bengals’ Defense Has Finally Flipped the Script

Jon Gruden of Barstool Sports took time Friday afternoon to break down the Cincinnati Bengals defense after two straight games in which they’ve flipped the script on the last few seasons. 

Gruden pointed out that Cincinnati’s defense missed 170 tackles last season; they were 30th in scoring, 31st in total defense, and 32nd against the run. He then mentions the additions Cincinnati made on their defensive front, signing Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen while trading a first-round pick for Dexter Lawrence. 

However, Gruden says it wasn’t just the additions that led to the turnaround. It’s the raised bar and the competition in the room that have made this Bengals defensive line look like one of the best units in the league through two weeks. 

Adding Lawrence, Mafe, and Allen into the room put Shemar Stewart, Myles Murphy, and Kris Jenkins on notice. Instead of complaining or getting offended, the front office brought in multiple guys at their position; they raised their effort and intensity, and it’s led to a very deep defensive line. 

Gruden says seeing Lawrence get that 4th-and-1 stop against the Texans has given the defense the same swagger Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins have had on offense over the last few seasons. They’ve gone from playing on their heels, hoping to do just enough, to a mindset of truly dominating. Even to the point where the sideline looks forward to the defense being on the field, instead of the opposite over the last few seasons. 

Also, Gruden points out that Al Golden, going into his second year, deserves a ton of credit. The biggest jump that most players take is from year one to year two, and Golden may be using that momentum for himself even if he isn’t in pads and a helmet on the field. 

Cincinnati likely never entertained firing Golden after a bad year one, although the NFL is a brutal business and has fired many coaches after one season. It ultimately came down to personnel, and Golden needed better players in order to show the true abilities he has as a leader and why Zac Taylor was so confident in bringing a defensive coordinator over from the college ranks to lead his defense at a time when there was a ton of pressure on him to get it figured out. 

If Cincinnati’s defense keeps playing like that, Golden won’t just have job security; he may even get head coaching interviews.