Jordan Battle is making a strong early case for a bigger season, and Al Golden isn’t hiding his appreciation for what he’s seeing.
Battle has spent his first three years in the league with plenty of ups and downs, but the flashes have always been there. The hustle stands out.
The playmaking stands out even more. He already has four interceptions in 2025, and he added another example of his effort on Thanksgiving Night in Baltimore, when he punched the ball out of Ravens tight end Isiah Likely’s grasp just before a touchdown could be completed after a long Lamar Jackson throw.
“Jordan’s having a great camp,” defensive coordinator Al Golden told Dan Hoard. “I love where he’s at mentally. He’s prepared and he’s in great condition.”
Hoard, who shares five observations from each training camp practice on his Twitter account, said Battle also forced a fumble against running back Chase Brown during Friday night’s practice. Brown recovered it, but the play still added to what has been a positive camp for Battle as he heads into a contract year.
Battle’s issue has never been effort or attitude. The bigger question has been the company he’s kept in the secondary. In his first three seasons, he lined up next to Nick Scott, who was steady but not a difference-maker, then Geno Stone, and later Vonn Bell, who didn’t match the level he showed in his first run with the Bengals, when he helped them reach the Super Bowl.
This year, the setup looks different. Battle is now working alongside Bryan Cook, who has one more NFL season than Battle but brings a lot more résumé with him: a former second-round pick, a two-time Super Bowl champion, and a player entering his prime. He also comes with the kind of leadership that was shaped by four years in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
That gives Battle a better platform to keep growing, and right now he looks like a player ready to take advantage of it.
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What has made Howell especially intriguing is how he has looked in a role that could expand sooner than planned. With Shemar Stewart sidelined, the Bengals need more from the edge group, and Howell has been pressing his case for a significant snap share on the defensive line. The early signs suggest he is doing more than just learning the defense - he is making it harder for the coaching staff to keep him off the field. [Read more 🡒]