Bengals Target Defense, Depth in Offseason Overhaul

Team weighs trades, free agency, and draft picks to strengthen roster

After a 2025 season that left fans feeling like they’d bitten into a lemon instead of an orange, the Cincinnati Bengals are rolling up their sleeves and getting serious about fixing their defense. The front office is leaving no stone unturned—free agents, trades, draft picks—you name it, they’re considering it, all with one goal in mind: clawing their way back into Super Bowl contention. One of the clearest examples of that shift was the recent Cowboys trade for Logan Wilson, which sent the veteran linebacker from Cincinnati to Dallas.

Let’s talk about the pass rush, because right now, it’s at the top of the Bengals’ to-do list. There’s buzz about swinging for the fences with a blockbuster trade for a defensive lineman like Maxx Crosby or Jeffery Simmons. The No. 10 draft pick could be the golden ticket in those negotiations. And get this—Joe Burrow might even restructure his contract to help make it happen. If the trade winds don’t blow their way, the Bengals are expected to go shopping in free agency, eyeing names like Dre’Mont Jones, Arnold Ebiketie, and Levi Onwuzurike. It’s like window shopping, but with a lot more at stake.

Leadership and experience at linebacker are also on the wish list. Since arriving in Texas, his adjustment period has already sparked Logan Wilson playing time questions about how Dallas plans to deploy him. The Bengals are eyeing veterans who can steady the ship, with Demario Davis—who already has ties to the coaching staff—standing out as a possible anchor. Bobby Wagner and Lavonte David are also in the conversation, proving the Bengals aren’t afraid to bring in some seasoned voices for the locker room.

Safety is another area where the Bengals are ready to open the checkbook. They’re reportedly willing to invest up to $10 million per year to land a quality player. Jaquan Brisker, Bryan Cook, and Harrison Smith are all on the radar. It’s clear the Bengals want someone who can keep the back end of the defense as secure as a bank vault.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Bengals are hoping to keep the band together by re-signing Dalton Risner, aiming for some much-needed continuity on the line. There’s also some chatter about using the franchise tag on Trey Hendrickson and then trading him for a third-round pick to stockpile draft capital. It’s a bit like chess—sometimes you have to sacrifice a piece to win the game.

Backup quarterback is another hot topic. After last season’s rollercoaster when Burrow was sidelined, the Bengals are determined not to get caught flat-footed again. They’re expected to look for a proven veteran, and Joe Flacco’s name has already popped up. If experience is what they want, Flacco’s got it in spades.

When it comes to the draft, the Bengals are reportedly planning to take the best available player at No. 10. Rueben Bain and Caleb Downs are names being tossed around, depending on how the draft shakes out. The goal? To snag at least three defensive players within their first 110 picks. Defense wins championships, after all—or at least, that’s what every coach says.

Protecting Joe Burrow is still a non-negotiable. The Bengals may look to draft a left tackle prospect to learn the ropes behind Orlando Brown Jr. and Amarius Mims, with Max Iheanachor getting a mention. After last season, no one wants to see Burrow running for his life again.

The Bengals are also expected to get ahead of the game by working on contract extensions for cornerbacks DJ Turner and Dax Hill before training camp kicks off. It’s all about keeping the core together and avoiding any last-minute drama.

All these reported moves show the Bengals are serious about patching up last season’s holes and making a real run at the playoffs. Across the conference, their former trade partners are pursuing aggressive Cowboys offseason moves aimed at accelerating their own championship push. Fans will be glued to their screens, popcorn in hand, waiting to see which domino falls next as the offseason drama unfolds.

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