NFL
Bengals Defense Still Among NFL’s Worst Despite Offseason Gamble, Say League Execs
published: 03-26-2026
Last updated: 03-26-2026
2025 NFL Draft - Round 1 by Perry Knotts | Getty Images
The Bengals had a relatively quiet free-agency period, which is entirely on brand for them, but that might well result in the team falling woefully short of competing again in 2026. And the one splash they did make, adding veteran defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, is ripe with potential to go sideways.
Even when superstar quarterback Joe Burrow has managed to stay healthy the last few years, and an explosive offense put up 30 points, it still hasn’t been enough to offset a horrible defense. And after successive years missing the postseason, some evaluators believe, on paper right now, the Bengals are in danger of making no gains. It will take an extraordinary draft to bolster the talent base, and other teams are also skeptical about some of the Bengals’ recent draft picks on the defensive side of the ball making significant improvements, either.
The Bengals basically sat out the first wave of free agency and then opted to sign defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, after his release by Minnesota, to what amount to a one-year, $13.5M deal. Considering that he is being seen as a major addition, given the relatively lack of activity to boost the roster, thing could be bleak on that side of the ball yet again.
Who Replaces Trey Hendrickson?
“We looked at Allen, and it would be one thing if he was going to be part of a deep rotation,” said one NFL general manager.
“But he’s got to be a guy for them. Is he the best pass rusher they have? They paid too much and he doesn’t have anyone to help him up front besides BJ Hill.”
Another personnel executive said: “They overpaid… They seem to be banking on (2025 first-round pick) Shemar Stewart taking off. I don’t see it.”
Indeed, Stewart had a total washout of a rookie season, going to war with the front office over his rookie contract, going through a holdout and then suffering from injuries and never playing consistent football.
He has talent but the defense lacks impact edge rushers to help him develop and while top pass rusher Trey Hendrickson was clearly never going to play for the Bengals again after clashing with them all of last season, and with linger contract squabbles with them dating back even deeper, that doesn’t mean they weren’t a better team with him.
Hendrickson was a massive piece of their Super Bowl run a few years back, and the Bengals are going to have to hit early and often on defensive linemen and linebackers in the draft to have any semblance of a competitive defense this season.
The Bengals have allowed the third-most points in the NFL the last two seasons and the third-most yards in that span and lack blue chip talent at every level of the defense, that, at least on paper, might actually be getting worse.
La Canfora has covered over 20 Super Bowls and League Meetings and NFL drafts, building a wide network of sources throughout all aspects of the game. He was an award winning print journalist as well, working at The Detroit Free Press and The Baltimore Sun prior to his first stint at The Washington Post. He has covered sporting events around the world, including two Winter Olympics and all of the 2006 World Cup. He attended his first NFL game in 1978, and would soon kindle what has become a lifelong love and appreciation of the sport. La Canfora is also a professional handicapper, specializing in the NFL, creating a daily sports wagering game show - "Wanna Bet?" He also hosts nationally broadcast NFL radio shows in the US, as well as a daily sports radio show in his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.