Excitement appears to be high around the Cincinnati Bengals heading into the 2026 NFL season.
After three consecutive seasons of disappointment, it appears the Bengals are poised for contention in 2026 with a revamped defense. Additionally, players have appeared to embrace the team’s high expectations, and are setting their sights on the Super Bowl.
However, before the season kicks off, there are still some tough decisions the Bengals will have to make. As a result of their defensive personnel changes, some players will likely have to step up in order to keep their role, and unfortunately for one of them, it appears he has not done enough to secure a spot on this Bengals team.
Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Lineman Put on Notice
Following the Cincinnati Bengals’ 27-9 win over the Chicago Bears in the team’s second preseason game, Bengals Wire’s Chris Roling listed three players who were potential trade candidates before teams had to make roster cuts.
Among those players was defensive lineman McKinnley Jackson. Roling wrote: “A season removed from oddly requesting a midseason trade, McKinnley Jackson hasn’t appeared to move the needle in a big way this preseason. Still, he might hold some value on the trade block as a former third-round pick. With Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen on board and Landon Robinson looking like a breakout who will make it, the Bengals would like to get something for Jackson’s departure.”
After being drafted in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Jackson has appeared in 22 regular season games while making only one start with the Bengals. The defensive lineman failed to register a sack in the 2025 season and made only seven tackles. Despite this, he received an above-average 62.1 grade from Pro Football Focus, primarily due to his strong work in run defense.
As mentioned by Roling, Jackson requested a trade or release during the 2025 season as his playing time had decreased from his rookie season. Cincinnati opted to keep the defender, but with the emergence of some young players, that may change prior to the 2026 season.
Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Line
Among the young players who have emerged and made a name for themselves this preseason is rookie seventh-round pick Landon Robinson.
Robinson’s performance during the first two preseason games is one of the biggest reasons Jackson’s roster spot appears in danger. Robinson was named a “winner” after the team’s preseason game, as Bengals on SI’s Landon Belote wrote:
“Robinson has strung together back-to-back strong performances. Following a half sack and two QB hits against the Lions, Robinson got to Bears quarterback Miller Moss for 1.5 sacks, a batted pass, and a tackle for loss.
Robinson looked sharp and showed good speed on a stunt, where he blasted Moss before he could try to get away. He has built a strong case to make the roster over this offseason and proven to be a strong competitor to both Kris Jenkins and Mckinnley Jackson as depth at defensive tackle.”
If Cincinnati receives a trade offer for Jackson, it may result in the third-year defender getting last season’s request granted.
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