Zac Taylor Singles Out What Makes Bengals’ New Players Special

After a busy offseason that has been marked by notable changes, the Cincinnati Bengals are getting set for perhaps the most significant training camp in the Joe Burrow era. One of the biggest takeaways from the Bengals’ offseason program has been the leadership shown by the team’s new additions.

Head coach Zac Taylor spoke about that group on Wednesday and made it clear they have wasted little time making their presence felt.

“Not this group, they are not bashful about it,” Taylor said. “They know what they want and they know how to get there. They’ve done a really good job of saying what needs to be said.”

The Bengals added several accomplished veterans this offseason, including Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook. According to Taylor, those players have been vocal from the moment they arrived.

That is notable because veteran newcomers often spend time learning a team’s culture before stepping into leadership roles. Instead, Cincinnati’s new additions have immediately taken ownership and established expectations within the locker room.

The backgrounds of those players help explain why. On the field, each addition addresses a major weakness from last season. Lawrence gives Cincinnati one of the NFL’s most disruptive interior defenders. The three-time Pro Bowler has been the centerpiece of the New York Giants’ defense for years and immediately upgrades a unit that struggled to generate pressure up the middle. Taylor recently called Lawrence a “foundational” piece of both the defense and the team.  

Jonathan Allen brings a similar pedigree. A two-time Pro Bowler during his time with the Washington Commanders, Allen has recorded 45.5 career sacks and gives the Bengals another proven pass-rushing presence on the interior. His arrival should help take pressure off Cincinnati’s edge rushers while strengthening one of the league’s most revamped defensive fronts.  

Bryan Cook arrives with championship experience after winning two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs. The veteran safety has already been praised for bringing accountability and communication to the secondary, two areas the Bengals struggled with during their defensive collapse in 2025. Cook has embraced a leadership role and is expected to be one of the key voices in the locker room.  

Boye Mafe gives Cincinnati another proven pass rusher and joins this unit months after helping the Seattle Seahawks win a Super Bowl. His ability to pressure quarterbacks should help a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league in several key categories last season. 

Taylor previously said the Bengals targeted players with winning experience, believing they could help raise the standard throughout the roster. Based on his comments Wednesday, that process is already underway.

Burrow echoed a similar sentiment on Wednesday, noting that the team’s veteran additions have created a more competitive environment and given younger players examples to follow.

After missing the playoffs for three straight seasons, the Bengals are counting on those new voices to help change the culture. Training camp begins next month, but Taylor believes the leadership foundation is already in place.