Bengals Still Have 3 Key Issues to Address Before Training Camp

The Cincinnati Bengals head into training camp in mid-July with a much improved squad. Head coach Zac Taylor now boasts one of the deepest defenses in the NFL thanks to the addition of DTs Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen, DEs Boye Mafe and Cashius Howell and safeties Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger. Even so, several important roster gaps remain open as mandatory minicamp concludes on June 18.

If there is one position that could undermine all of Cincinnati’s offseason work, it is linebacker. Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter are projected to enter training camp as the starters despite finishing among the lowest-graded linebackers in the NFL last season. The Bengals have made no major additions at the position, leaving the franchise largely dependent on the same foundational pieces it had in 2025. 

After restructuring Joe Burrow’s contract to create $10 million in cap space, Cincinnati now has the financial flexibility to address the position before training camp opens. Sports Illustrated’s Jay Morrison recently identified Bobby Wagner as the ideal free-agent fit for Cincinnati, citing his veteran experience and ability to read offenses as traits that could immediately stabilize a linebacker group still relying heavily on two players who experienced uneven rookie campaigns.

Several lower-cost alternatives also remain available. Willie Gay, a 28-year-old reserve linebacker, posted a 66.7 PFF grade with Miami in 2025 while recording 20 tackles and two pass breakups and is projected to command roughly $1.5 million.

Shaq Thompson is another option after posting PFF grades of 65 or higher in each of the last five seasons and carries a projected value north of $1.6 million. Former Bengal Germaine Pratt also remains unsigned and has appeared on Bengals reporter John Acree’s best-available free-agent list.

While linebacker remains the most obvious roster concern, the Bengals also have important business to handle with cornerback DJ Turner II. The restructuring of Burrow’s contract reportedly created the cap space needed to pursue an extension for Turner, who has emerged as one of the organization’s top priorities.

Turner participated in OTAs on a voluntary basis and expressed optimism that an agreement could be reached before the start of the regular season.

His performance in 2025 certainly strengthened his case. Turner allowed a passer rating of just 77.3 when targeted, with opponents completing fewer than half of the passes thrown in his direction. Despite that production, he is currently scheduled to earn only $3.674 million this season.

Another area worth monitoring is wide receiver depth behind Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Andrei Iosivas and rookie Colbie Young are currently competing for the No. 3 role, but neither has yet proven he can be relied upon in high-leverage situations over an extended period.

As a result, wide receiver remains one of the few positions where a trade addition could make sense before the season begins. No specific player of note has been linked to Cincinnati with confirmed availability, but the possibility remains worth watching as training camp approaches.

The Bengals will hold mandatory minicamp from June 16-18 before opening training camp in mid-July. Cincinnati has addressed most of the deficiencies that plagued the defense a year ago, but two important items still require attention before camp begins: solidifying the linebacker room and finalizing an extension for Turner.

With an additional $10 million in cap space now available, Duke Tobin has the resources necessary to tackle both objectives before the Bengals take the field for training camp.