The NFL calendar has officially flipped to offseason mode for 30 of the league’s 32 teams, and for the Cincinnati Bengals, that means it’s time to take a hard look at what went wrong-and how to fix it. With the draft on the horizon and free agency not far behind, the question in Cincinnati isn’t if changes are coming, but where those changes need to happen most.
Let’s be clear: the Bengals' offensive skill group is stacked. Joe Burrow (when healthy), Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Joe Mixon headline one of the most explosive collections of talent in the league.
That side of the ball isn’t the issue. The real concern lies on the other side-defense.
And that’s where things get interesting.
Cincinnati's defense was inconsistent in 2025, struggling to generate pressure up front and giving up too many chunk plays. There are holes at every level, from the defensive line to the secondary, and the front office has some big decisions to make.
Do they rely on the draft to patch things up? Dip into free agency for quick fixes?
Or swing big with a trade?
One name being floated in league circles: Daron Payne.
Payne, the standout defensive lineman from Washington, is a game-wrecker in the trenches. In 2025, he posted three sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 46 total tackles-not eye-popping numbers, but they don’t tell the whole story.
He’s a disruptive force who commands attention on every snap and makes life easier for everyone around him. If Washington is willing to move him, there will be no shortage of suitors.
And the Bengals should absolutely be in that mix.
Kristopher Knox recently made the case that Cincinnati, a team desperate for defensive help, should be aggressive in pursuing Payne. He’s not wrong. Adding a player of Payne’s caliber would instantly elevate the Bengals’ defensive front and set the tone for a more physical, more effective unit in 2026.
Now, it’s worth noting that splashy trades haven’t exactly been the Bengals’ calling card in recent years. This is a front office that tends to build through the draft and make calculated moves in free agency.
But this offseason feels different. After a disappointing 2025 campaign, the pressure is on.
This roster isn’t built for a slow rebuild-it’s built to win now. And if that’s the goal, then sitting on their hands isn’t an option.
Payne wouldn’t just be a talent upgrade-he’d be a statement. A signal that Cincinnati is serious about contending again. That they’re not content with being a team that could make the playoffs, but one that expects to.
So whether it’s Payne or another impact defender, the Bengals have to swing big somewhere. The offense is ready.
The window is open. The only question is: will the front office take the kind of bold step that puts this team back in the AFC’s top tier?
We’ll find out soon enough.