The Cincinnati Bengals fielded the NFL’s second-worst defense last season, allowing 380.9 yards per game, and appeared to weaken further when four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson left for Baltimore in free agency.
The Bengals responded by signing free-agent defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, who believes he has joined a team that is “going somewhere.”
“This is one of the few places I can compete for a Super Bowl and have a chance to showcase my talent,” the two-time Pro Bowler said recently, per the team website. “When you see what they have on the offensive side of the ball, that’s a dream for a defensive lineman. I think people would be lining up to play with a guy like Joe Burrow and the offense they have. Then the young guys you have on defense and the pieces you’re adding, I really think this team is going somewhere.”
The Bengals were not a great team in 2025, going 6-11 and missing franchise quarterback Joe Burrow for nine games because of a toe injury.
Bengals have many issues
The Bengals’ last Super Bowl appearance came in the 2021 season, when they lost to the Los Angeles Rams 23-20. The Bengals lost in the AFC Championship Game the next season and missed the playoffs the next three seasons.
Outside of fixing the defense, which must improve after posting only 35 sacks in 2025 (Denver led the NFL with 68), the Bengals’ success hinges on Burrow staying healthy. Burrow has played in 35 of a possible 51 regular-season games the past three seasons.
Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and has two of the best wide receivers in the league: Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Allen’s 3.5 sacks with the Minnesota Vikings last season won’t replace Hendrickson’s production. Hendrickson had just four sacks in seven games in 2025 but recorded 17.5 sacks in both 2023 and 2024. The Bengals also brought in linebacker Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook to help stabilize the front seven and secondary.
The NFL Draft (April 23-25) is another avenue for the Bengals to improve their roster, and it will be interesting to see if they add more defensive help or draft linemen to protect Burrow.