The Cincinnati Bengals have completely rebuilt their defense after a tough 2025 season, in which the team allowed the third-most points in the NFL.
Most of their offseason resources were spent on the defensive line, including signing edge rusher Boye Mafe to a $60 million contract, Jonathan Allen to a $25 million contract, trading for All-Pro defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, and drafting Cashius Howell with the team’s second-round pick.
Additionally, the team addressed the secondary as they signed safety Bryan Cook to a contract worth over $40 million and used their third-round pick on cornerback Tacario Davis. Now, following the draft, the Bengals have signed a linebacker who led the Big Ten in forced fumbles last season.
Cincinnati Bengals Sign Eric Gentry
After the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals signed USC linebacker Eric Gentry after he went undrafted. Gentry, who led the Big Ten with five forced fumbles and totaled 175 solo tackles in his career, played four seasons for the USC Trojans after beginning his college football career with Arizona State.
Regarding the signing, SB Nation’s Anthony Cosenza wrote:
“Gentry arrives in Cincinnati with a fascinating blend of traits that will immediately catch the attention of coaches and fans alike. At 6-foot-6 with long arms and sideline-to-sideline range, he looks the part of a modern NFL linebacker. His length alone makes him disruptive in passing lanes, and when he’s decisive, he flashes the ability to close quickly on ball carriers.
During his college career—most notably at USC—Gentry showed an ability to rack up tackles and create splash plays. In his most productive stretches, he was active in pursuit, displayed solid instincts in zone coverage, and occasionally made game-changing plays, including interceptions and tackles for loss. Those flashes are a big reason why the Bengals are taking a chance on him.”
Cincinnati Bengals Linebackers
Despite a strong college career, there is a reason why he went undrafted. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein projected him to either be undrafted or go in the seventh-round as he believes he projects as an average-backup or special teams player in the NFL.
Regarding Gentry, Zierlein wrote:
“Fifth-year senior with a long, lanky frame that is ill-suited for block take-ons and gap constriction as a run defender. Projecting Gentry into an NFL role requires a belief he can gain and maintain more muscle mass and upper-body strength. He can get lost in man coverage at times, but his long limbs are very intimidating when he’s roaming in zone. He has above-average blitz potential off the edge with a big closing burst. Gentry has late-round potential but might need a developmental year to gain the requisite size and strength.”
Projecting Gentry as an immediate contributor is likely a reach, which means addressing the linebacker position may still be a priority for the Bengals.As evidenced by the Dexter Lawrence trade, the Bengals appear to be all-in on contending this season.. Perhaps a move for Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who has only one year remaining on his contract, may be on the table for Cincinnati.
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