The Cincinnati Bengals have completely revamped their defense this offseason. Despite losing All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to the division rival Baltimore Ravens, the Bengals appear likely to improve from their 2025 form.
In 2025, the Bengals allowed the third-most points in the NFL, which led the team to a losing record despite posting a top-10 offense. As a result, the Bengals were aggressive in free agency as they signed Bryan Cook, Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen to multi-year deals to contracts worth more than $125 million combined. Cincinnati did not stop there as they acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants.
However, despite all their moves, the Bengals had yet to address the linebacker position. That changed after the Cincinnati Bengals claimed former Giants linebacker Swayze Bozeman.
Cincinnati Bengals Add Linebacker
Regarding Bozeman’s addition, Bengals on SI writer Landon Belote wrote:
“Bozeman, a second year player out of Southern Mississippi, signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and has played in nine career games in his career with the Chiefs and Giants, totaling five tackles on defense, and four on special teams.
Being the only veteran addition to the linebacker room should mean that Bozeman comes in and competes right away for a spot as a role player or special teams player with the latter being the likelier outcome. Linebackers are the heartbeat of special teams units across the league, and special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons will certainly lean on that position group this season.”
Meanwhile, BengalsWire’s Chris Roling wrote:
“The lack of a move at linebacker before this for the Bengals was a big endorsement for Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter. They’re all-in on the idea that additions like Dexter Lawrence will help their development.
Given the smaller nature of this move, it doesn’t necessarily rule out another signing in free agency between now and the summer. But the Bengals hitting the waiver wire to get Bozeman speaks to how much they liked him.”
Potential Moves for Cincinnati
As Roling mentioned, the Cincinnati Bengals could still add another linebacker before the 2026 NFL season. While Bozeman may prove to be a depth piece for the team, with nine career games,the expectation is not that he will step in as a Day 1 starter that fixes the linebacker position.
One possible move that could provide Cincinnati with a short-term answer is signing free agent Bobby Wagner. Wagner, a 10-time Pro Bowl selection, remains an NFL free agent, and Cincinnati has been seen as a potential landing spot for him.
CBS Sports writer Tyler Sullivan linked Wagner to the Bengals as he wrote:
“The Bengals are coming off a 2025 season where their defense was abysmal. To their credit, they’ve tried to rectify that this offseason by signing defensive end Boye Mafe, trading for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, and selecting pass rusher Cashius Howell in the second round, a selection that has drawn rave reviews. One area they could still stand to add, however, is at linebacker after both Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight struggled last season. After the Commanders selected Sonny Styles in the first round, a return to Washington may not be in the cards for Bobby Wagner, and it’d make sense for the Bengals to pounce. For Wagner, this pairing would make sense not only from a need standpoint, but the linebacker would also give himself a good shot at a deep playoff run with Joe Burrow as his quarterback, giving him possibly one last kick at the can for another Super Bowl title.
Bengals Add Former Kansas City Chiefs Linebacker Before 2026 NFL Season