The Cincinnati Bengals have a lot of work to do this offseason, with the entire focus being on the defensive side of the ball. Running back, quarterback, and offensive line depth are needs, but not nearly as big as the defense.
Pass rusher is a huge need, as are the cornerback and safety rooms. But one of the more pressing issues is the linebacker room. Their rookies, in Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr., weren’t good, and the Bengals could use a better LB in 2026.
That’s why Dalton Wasserman of PFF.com is urging the Bengals to sign a free agent linebacker, Pro Bowl Jacksonville Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd, to a free agent contract to land a new defensive leader.
Bengals urged to sign Jaguars’ Devin Lloyd to replace shaky rookies
“Their linebacker unit was a massive problem this season in all facets,” Wasserman writes. “Led mostly by rookies, Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter, Cincinnati’s linebackers ranked last in the NFL in PFF overall grade.”
With their struggling linebacker corps, Wasserman named Lloyd as a signing for the Bengals that would be a “great fit” in Cincinnati as their new leader on defense.
This mention from Wasserman comes amid an article on the “5 signings that just make sense.” For the Bengals, adding Lloyd would make a ton of sense.
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With their rookie duo struggling in 2025, adding a veteran like Lloyd, who was one of the best players in the NFL to begin the season, but fell off a bit to close out the year, would be a nice pickup.
Lloyd is 27 years old and earned his first Pro Bowl nod this season. He finished with five interceptions, a career high, and also a 99-yard pick-six against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
He also had seven passes defended, one fumble recovery, 1.5 sacks, 81 total tackles, and 10 quarterback hits in his second-team All-Pro season.
With a big need at linebacker, and specifically with a veteran, Lloyd would be a great option for the Bengals this offseason.
