This Bengals Position Group is Most Vital to Defensive Success in 2025
The main storyline surrounding the 2024 Cincinnati Bengals was their top-five offense, but bottom-five defense. The defense underwent a number of changes this offseason, moving on from Vonn Bell, Germaine Pratt, Mike Hilton, and Sam Hubbard. They were also surrounded by contract issues from Shemar Stewart and Trey Hendrickson. They finished 9-8 for the second straight season, largely due to their lackluster defense.
The Bengals made a handful of additions to the roster this offseason, and one position group in particular could be the key to the Bengals having a great season in 2025. In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bengals drafted Demetrius Knight Jr. in the second round and Barrett Carter in the fifth round. They also signed Oren Burks to a two-year deal during free agency. Along with a veteran leader in Logan Wilson, the Bengals' linebacking core could be on the rise this season.
In the preseason, Wilson and Knight Jr. were the only linebackers to play 100% of their snaps with the starting defense. Burks and Carter also got snaps with the first team but stayed in the game until the early third quarter. According to the depth chart, Burks and Carter are battling for the third linebacker spot, with the edge going slightly to Burks thus far. Burks played for the Philadelphia Eagles last season, being a rotational piece in the front seven of a Super Bowl winning team. Having players who have the mindset to know what it takes to win is great for an inexperienced team like the Bengals.
Carter played for the Clemson Tigers from 2021-2024, where he was a two-time All-American and two-time All-ACC player. He was a finalist for the Butkus Award in 2024, awarded to college football's best linebacker. Carter's fall to the fourth round was a surprise for all. Knight was a second-round pick out of South Carolina and played 6 years of college football. The 25-year-old is one of the oldest rookies in the NFL.
The Bengals haven’t had particularly good linebacker play since 2021-22, when they went to the Super Bowl. The position has always been a little underwhelming historically. However, with the addition of a proven veteran, two promising rookies, and the addition of a Super Bowl champion, the Bengals have a real chance to be competitive defensively in 2025. Watch out for Cincinnati to make a splash this season if their defense improves.
