The Cincinnati Bengals are having a standout offseason with significant trades and free-agent signings. Owner Mike Brown has shown a willingness to change, marking a historic shift for the franchise.
Key points
Cincinnati Bengals have a standout offseason.
Major trade and free-agent signings made.
Mike Brown shows willingness to change.
Bengals traded first-round pick for Dexter Lawrence.
Focus on rebuilding one of the NFL's worst defenses.
Mentioned in this story
Mike Brown
Cincinnati BengalsDexter Lawrence
The Cincinnati Bengals are having one of their best offseasons ever. They made a big trade and major free-agent signings. They didn't cut corners on rebuilding one of the NFL's worst defenses. There's been no contract or off-the-field drama (so far). Cheers to you, long-suffering Bengals fan. Your franchise did you a solid for once. Here are four reasons fans should be ecstatic:
The big change: The Bengals traded away their first-round pick in exchange for an established player for the first time in franchise history. Finding a way to acquire three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is the type of bold move Bengals fans have repeatedly watched the AFC’s top franchises make.
What does Mike Brown’s willingness to change mean for the future of the Cincinnati Bengals?
What does Mike Brown’s willingness to change mean for the future of the Cincinnati Bengals?
Moreover, what does Brown’s willingness to change mean for the future? Perhaps that depends on how well Lawrence performs and whether the Bengals make a deep playoff run.
The Bengals were flirting with the potential of quarterback Joe Burrow pulling a Carson Palmer and demanding a trade at some point if they did nothing to improve the defense, Jason Williams writes.
The Bengals were flirting with the potential of quarterback Joe Burrow pulling a Carson Palmer and demanding a trade at some point if they did nothing to improve the defense, Jason Williams writes.
Burrow posted on social media last weekend after the NFL draft: “Got better,” supposedly referring to the Bengals’ offseason moves.
The whole Burrow-isn’t-happy-here narrative got overblown by the national media last season. The guy’s a winner – and winners shouldn’t be happy when they’re not winning. Still, the Bengals were flirting with the potential of Burrow pulling a Carson Palmer and demanding a trade at some point if they did nothing to improve the defense.
“Joe is positive,” Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin told reporters on Monday. “He wants to help. He wants to be involved. He believes in our team and his teammates and the guys that we’ve got coming in, so it’s all good.”
Now, can a happy Burrow remain a healthy Burrow?
New Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Boye Mafe won the Super Bowl last season with the Seattle Seahawks.
New Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Boye Mafe won the Super Bowl last season with the Seattle Seahawks.
3. Bengals acquired winners, leaders
Cook, a safety, has two Super Bowl rings with Kansas City. Mafe, a defensive end, won the Super Bowl last season with Seattle. Lawrence and Allen have playoff experience. By all accounts, they're great locker-room guys, too.
This is a big deal for team culture. These are the types of guys the Bengals needed around the last few seasons as they were trying to build their defense through the draft. Instead, they drafted a bunch of guys and then stuck them in a locker room that was void of defensive leaders. (And no, Trey Hendrickson wasn’t a leader, nor was he interested in helping anyone.)
Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, the second-round pick in 2024, now has two Pro Bowlers in Lawrence and Allen who can mentor him. Edge rushers Shemar Stewart, Myles Murphy and Cashius Howell can learn from Mafe. Cook can mentor Jordan Battle.
“You want to be able to affect the other team's quarterback," said Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin. "You have to stop the run to get those situations, so we think we’ve addressed (it)."
“You want to be able to affect the other team's quarterback," said Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin. "You have to stop the run to get those situations, so we think we’ve addressed (it)."
The Bengals were awful up front last season, ranking dead last in the league against the run and 23rd in sacks. They had a reputation of being soft. Their defensive line was ranked 30th, according to Pro Football Focus. Six of the top 10 teams on that list made the playoffs, including Super Bowl champion Seattle.
“You want to be able to affect the other team's quarterback," Tobin said. "You have to stop the run to get those situations, so we think we’ve addressed (it)."