The Cincinnati Bengals have made significant defensive upgrades this offseason through free agency, trades, and the draft. However, one position group has remained unchanged: linebacker.
Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter, both drafted last year, have been named the starting linebackers. The Bengals have not added any competition to challenge their roles in recent months.
On Monday, Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin addressed the team's linebacker situation. While the team has not ruled out making additional moves before September, Tobin emphasized the organization's strong belief in Knight and Carter. He also highlighted the impact of new defensive line additions, such as Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen, on the linebackers' development.
"We'll always look at adding the right guy again. I am not down on my linebackers," Tobin stated, via the team's official website. "They individually will improve and collectively will improve by what we've done and the experience that they've gained. If there are people that we think can add to the group, we'll add to the group. We're not done roster building."
The Bengals are banking on their second-year linebackers to elevate the defense in 2026. Their performance will be critical in determining whether the team meets its defensive goals for the upcoming season.
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