The Cincinnati Bengals did just a great deal of work revamping their defense that was downright embarrassing in 2025.
Trading for Giants’ DT Dexter Lawrence was the icing on the cake made of numerous free agency acquisitions.
S Bryan Cook, DT Jonathan Allen, and EDGE Boye Mafe highlight the big-time free agency haul by the Bengals. Other signing included some depth options like S Kyle Duggar and CB Ja’Sir Taylor. They also went on to spend their first two draft picks on EDGE Cashius Howell (Pick 41) and CB Tacario Davis (Pick 72).
Still, there’s work to be done, especially in the linebacking corps.
Bengals Urged to Sign LB Bobby Wagner
GettyLANDOVER, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 22: Bobby Wagner #54 of the Washington Commanders reacts after a missed field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Northwest Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Matt Fitzgerald of Stripe Hype presented the idea of Bobby Wagner in the orange and black.
“It’d be one thing if Demetrius Knight Jr. or Barrett Carter showed anything resembling replacement-level starter performance as rookies in 2025. They didn’t. They were historically bad.
Thrusting a fourth-round pick like Carter into a such a position as the green-dot linebacker is just irresponsible. It doesn’t set him up well for success, either. And yet, with a legend like Bobby Wagner sitting out there in free agency and Jordyn Brooks begging (not personally/publicly) to be traded from a cratered Dolphins roster, Cincinnati keeps insisting on standing pat.”
Fitzgerald went on to note the “replacement-level” play of Knight and Carter when they did play in 2025. According to Gridiron Grading, they were the two lowest-graded linebackers in the entire league by PFF.
Still, head coach Zac Taylor is steadfast in his support for the duo.
Taylor Remains Confident in Linebacking Corps
GettyHead coach Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)
Zac Taylor recently showed support for the young linebacking corps.
“Those are two guys that we pressed into the fold early last year. Demetrius started Day 1, Barrett kind of took over that job at the midpoint in the season, knowing that the dividends were going to pay off at the end of the season, which they did.
I think like any great linebacking corps, when you beef up the guys in front of them, it makes their job a lot easier as well. Those guys have really worked hard all offseason. They’re ready, chomping at the bit to get back on the field.
So I really think those two guys are poised to take a really big jump behind all the veterans in front of them, and just with the year’s experience of seeing what this league is gonna be like. So we’re really high on their ceiling and the direction they’re headed right now.”
It is an understandable point from Taylor, and it is good to have youth in a defense you just threw together at the auction house.
Still, there’s no denying a veteran linebacker like Bobby Wagner would be worth his weight in gold to a young linebacking room.
Bengals Urged to Sign 11-Time All-Pro Super Bowl Champion