With just two teams left chasing the Lombardi Trophy, the rest of the NFL is officially in offseason mode-and for the Cincinnati Bengals, that means it’s time to start shaping the next chapter. After a season that saw a defensive reset under new coordinator Al Golden and a mid-year pivot toward youth at linebacker, the Bengals enter this offseason with a clear focus: bolstering the defense.
And that’s where things get interesting.
Most of the speculation swirling around Cincinnati’s offseason plans centers on the defensive side of the ball-and for good reason. The team leaned heavily on rookies at linebacker down the stretch, and while there were flashes of promise, the position still feels like a work in progress. That’s why names like Devin Lloyd are now surfacing in free agency conversations.
Lloyd, who just wrapped up a standout year with the Jacksonville Jaguars, is drawing attention for all the right reasons. According to Pro Football Focus, he posted an 88.4 overall grade-second among all qualifying linebackers.
That’s not just good; that’s elite. He was a top-10 performer in both coverage and run defense, showing the kind of all-around game that makes a defensive coordinator’s job a whole lot easier.
For the Bengals, who currently sit with the seventh-most cap space in the league, adding a player like Lloyd would be a statement move. He’s 27, in his prime, and coming off an All-Pro caliber season. If they’re looking to make a splash, this is the kind of signing that turns heads-and potentially transforms a unit.
But here’s the thing: Cincinnati doesn’t always go big-game hunting in free agency, especially at linebacker. The team has traditionally reserved its major investments for the trenches-think interior defensive line or edge rusher-where impact players are harder to find and even harder to replace. And with young linebackers like Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter showing growth late in the season, the front office might lean toward patience over panic.
Still, there’s a difference between being cautious and being complacent. While Knight and Carter made strides, it’s fair to wonder if they’re ready to anchor the middle of the defense full-time. And with veteran auditions like Oren Burks falling short and Logan Wilson requesting a trade, the linebacker room is anything but settled.
That’s why a move for a veteran presence-someone who can stabilize the group, mentor the young guys, and still contribute meaningful snaps-might be more in line with the Bengals’ usual approach. It doesn’t have to be a blockbuster to be effective. Sometimes, it’s about the right fit, not the biggest name.
But let’s be honest: picturing Devin Lloyd in stripes, roaming the middle of the field, calling out plays, and shutting down both the run and the pass? That’s a fun thought. And if the Bengals decide they’re just one elite linebacker away from taking the next step, it’s not out of the question.
This offseason, Cincinnati has options-and the flexibility to act on them. Whether they swing big or build smart, the defense is clearly the priority. And that means every move they make from here on out will be about one thing: turning potential into production.