It is no secret that the Cincinnati Bengals defense struggled in the 2023 season. Ranking 31st in the NFL at 374.6 yards allowed per game, Lou Anarumo had his work cut out for him this offseason to get the defense back to the level of play that helped them make deep postseason runs in 2021 and 2022.
Adding players like Geno Stone and Sheldon Rankins will certainly help, but it is still unknown how they will replace the run-stuffing ability of the now-departed DJ Reader.
Veterans like Trey Hendrickson, Logan Wilson, and Cam Taylor-Britt are back in the fold to help get things right, but Sports Illustrated certainly doesn’t seem to believe they are among the top in the league. In a recent article, they ranked the “defensive triplets,” which is the team’s best edge rusher, linebacker, and cornerback.
The trio of Hendrickson, Wilson, and Taylor-Britt was ranked 25th.
“The Bengals got some good news when Hendrickson rescinded his trade request this offseason,” Gilberto Manzano said. ”He’s been one of the most productive edge rushers in the NFL since leaving New Orleans for Cincinnati in 2021. Wilson is another consistent playmaker in Lou Anarumo’s defense, recording 135 total tackles last season. Taylor-Britt, a 2022 second-round pick, could be on the verge of a breakout season after recording four interceptions last year.”
The Bengals gave up more yards than all but one NFL team, but they did seem to tighten up in the red zone and keep teams out of the end zone, as they allowed 22.6 points per game. While not great at 21st in the NFL last season, look for the Bengals’ defense to keep opponents from finding paydirt again this season.
Perhaps this could motivate the Bengals’ defense to right the ship this season.