Best NFL free agent linebackers available for Bengals following NFL Draft

TL;DR

The Cincinnati Bengals have not addressed their linebacker position this offseason, despite having two of the worst starters last season. They may consider signing veteran free agents like Bobby Wagner and Shaq Thompson to bolster their defense.

Key points

Bengals have not addressed linebacker position this offseason
Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight were among the worst starters last season
Bobby Wagner, Shaq Thompson, Bobby Okereke, and Jerome Baker are available
Wagner offers experience but struggles in pass coverage
Bengals need to improve linebacker depth for the upcoming season

Cincinnati BengalsWashington CommandersBuffalo BillsNew York Giants

Jan 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) celebrates after winning a NFC wild card playoff against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images The Cincinnati Bengals have focused on improving one of the worst defenses in the NFL from last season. They have brought in a number of players to fix every level of the defense. Well, except for one. The Bengals have essentially ignored the linebacker position this whole offseason, despite Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight ranking as two of the worst starting linebackers last season. They were both rookies on a struggling defense, but for them not to even bring in competition is reminiscent of Cedric Ogbuehi at left tackle. Of course, we are rooting for these young guys to take that step, but they are banking an awful lot on it, with no other clear-cut options if it fails. One simple way to hedge their bets is to bring in a veteran linebacker, if for no other reason than to help these young guys along. Here are some of the best options left after the draft. **Bobby Wagner:** Wagner had a couple of productive seasons for the Washington Commanders. He played almost every defensive snap and posted 132 tackles in 2024 and 162 tackles in 2025. He will be 36 when the season starts, but this team needs experience there and not another long-term solution. Wagner won’t be helpful in the passing game, which is the biggest knock against him. However, he could come in and instantly be almost an extra coach for these guys and a decent fallback plan. **:**Thompson spent last season with the and was middle-of-the-road in pass coverage. That makes him one of the best remaining coverage linebackers. He did struggle against the run, though. He also had 14 missed tackles on the year. Listen, you wait after the draft, and this is the caliber of free agent waiting, okay? He has plenty of experience in the league and can still be a nice average-level linebacker. **:** Last seen with the , Okereke is another middle-of-the-road linebacker. He was released as the Giants pivot to a new era with John Harbaugh as their head coach. He is another linebacker who will be better against the pass than the run. His 21 missed tackles are an issue, but at this point, you are getting a run stopper or a coverage guy. He played over 1,000 snaps last season and will only be turning 30 in July. **:** Baker didn’t play a major role for the after signing with them last year, but he was effective when he was out there. He played a similar role with them that he would play here. Playing behind a young group of linebackers. Except he could end up playing more if there are struggles. Baker is once again better against the pass over his career than the run. As you can tell, they aren’t exactly picking from the cream of the crop anymore and need to get creative or make some concessions with what they are looking for. Would you like to see them sign someone on this list? Maybe someone we didn’t talk about? Or maybe you are just looking to have them let it ride, banking on the youth to improve.

Q&A

Who are the best available free agent linebackers for the Bengals?

The top available free agent linebackers for the Bengals include Bobby Wagner, Shaq Thompson, Bobby Okereke, and Jerome Baker.

Why have the Bengals ignored the linebacker position this offseason?

The Bengals have focused on improving their defense but have not brought in competition for their struggling young linebackers, which raises concerns about their depth.

What are Bobby Wagner's stats from the last two seasons?

Bobby Wagner recorded 132 tackles in 2024 and 162 tackles in 2025 while playing nearly every defensive snap for the Washington Commanders.

What issues do the Bengals face with their current linebackers?

The Bengals' current linebackers, Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight, performed poorly last season, leading to concerns about their ability to improve without veteran competition.