The Cincinnati Bengals have no shortage of decisions to make this offseason, but the spotlight is clearly shining on one side of the ball: defense.
With Joe Burrow back under center, flanked by offensive weapons like Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase, and the emerging Chase Brown, the Bengals' offensive core is in solid shape. Sure, adding more protection up front never hurts-especially when you're protecting a franchise quarterback-but the real work lies on the other side of the ball.
And one area that needs immediate attention? The interior of the defensive line.
That's where a recent trade proposal from ESPN’s Bill Barnwell comes into play. The idea: Cincinnati would acquire veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a simple Day 3 draft pick swap-sending a 2027 sixth-rounder to Dallas in return for Clark and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
Breaking Down the Fit
Clark isn’t the flashiest name on the market, but he’s a proven commodity. A three-time Pro Bowler with a decade of NFL experience-most of it with the Green Bay Packers-Clark brings the kind of veteran presence and run-stuffing ability this Bengals front desperately needs.
He’s not the same dominant interior force he was in his prime, but he’s still a reliable contributor. In 2025, he posted three sacks, 36 tackles, and six tackles for loss with the Cowboys.
Solid numbers that show he can still impact the game, especially in a rotation.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t a move that’s going to dominate headlines or fire up the fanbase the way a Quinnen Williams-type trade might. But it’s exactly the kind of under-the-radar addition that could help stabilize a shaky defensive front. Clark is 31 and carries a hefty cap hit-$21.5 million in 2026 and $20 million in 2027-but that price tag is part of the reason he could be available for such a minimal return.
And for Cincinnati, that cost might be worth it.
Why It Makes Sense for the Bengals
This Bengals defense needs help at all three levels. The pass rush has been inconsistent, the run defense has struggled to hold the line, and the unit as a whole lacked the kind of physicality that defines playoff-caliber teams.
Adding Clark to a group that includes T.J. Slaton Jr. and B.J.
Hill could go a long way toward fixing that.
Clark’s presence in the middle would give Cincinnati a more stout interior, helping free up edge rushers and linebackers to make plays. He’s not going to rack up double-digit sacks, but that’s not what the Bengals need from him. What they need is a space-eater who can control the line of scrimmage, plug gaps, and bring some much-needed leadership to a young, evolving defense.
The Bigger Picture
This kind of move is about more than just stats-it's about building a defense that can hold its own in the AFC. With quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson standing between Cincinnati and another deep playoff run, the Bengals can’t afford to be soft in the trenches. Clark’s experience and physicality would be a welcome addition.
And from a roster-building standpoint, flipping a late-round pick for a two-year starter on the defensive line is smart business. It gives the Bengals flexibility in the draft, adds depth to a thin position group, and helps balance a roster that has leaned heavily on its offense in recent years.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t a blockbuster. But it’s the kind of calculated, low-risk move that championship contenders make. Kenny Clark might not be the long-term answer, but for a Bengals team looking to shore up its defense without mortgaging the future, he could be exactly what they need right now.