The Cincinnati Bengals’ defense needs a big rebound this year. Since the purging of the roster after the 2023 offseason and age catching up with other players, the unit has taken steps backward over the past two seasons.
Gone is Lou Anarumo, who was the architect of a bend-but-don’t-break, yet somehow-clutch unit that we became accustomed to in 2021-2022, and in comes a familiar face, Al Golden. He’s tasked with developing and rebuilding a unit that can properly support Joe Burrow and the explosive offense.
Golden has young, athletic talent to mold, but roster holes remain.