After allowing the third-most points in the NFL last season, the Cincinnati Bengals made a significant effort this offseason to improve their defense.
They addressed their defensive line by signing Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen to multi-year contracts, while also acquiring three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick. Additionally, Cincinnati used their second-round pick on pass rusher Cashius Howell.
Cincinnati also addressed the secondary as they signed hometown safety Bryan Cook from the Chiefs, signed veteran Kyle Dugger and re-signed cornerback Jalen Davis. In the 2026 NFL Draft, the Bengals also added cornerback Tacario Davis with their third-round selection.
However, if there is one glaring hole on Cincinnati’s defense, it is the linebacker position. The team recently claimed linebacker Swayze Bozeman off waivers and signed undrafted free agent linebacker Eric Gentry; however, early reports have not been favorable regarding Gentry.
Cincinnati Bengals Rookie Linebacker Called Out
The Athletic’s Paul Dehner shared his first thoughts on some of the Cincinnati Bengals rookies during minicamp, and unfortunately linebacker Eric Gentry did not get rave reviews in his first action.
Dehner wrote:
“LB Eric Gentry
It’s hard to make sense of Gentry, to be honest. He just looks out of place. He’s 6-7 and 221 pounds, built to play in the NBA, but instead lined up at middle linebacker. He can move differently than most of his size, but it’s hard to decipher if it has a chance to work in the NFL.
According to a TruMedia database search of all NFL defensive players, there is no record of a player with a height between 6-6 and 6-8 and a weight between 215 and 225 playing a single snap in the NFL this century.”
Regarding why the Bengals took a shot on a player with Gentry’s size, 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.”
Additional First Impressions from Cincinnati Bengals Minicamp
Perhaps the most intriguing player in Cincinnati’s draft class is second-round rookie Cashius Howell, who totaled 11.5 sacks in his final college football season. Despite his pass-rushing skills, Howell may be one of the players the Bengals use to help address the linebacker position.
Regarding Howell, Dehner wrote:
“One note that stood out about the second-round pick and SEC Defensive Player of the Year making his Paycor Stadium debut Friday was not just how into the coaching he was with defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery, but what drills they slid him into as the practice concluded.
During the final positional session of the day, Howell, wearing Logan Wilson’s old number 55, worked on dropping back in coverage with the linebackers. It’s early to understand how Howell’s role will evolve fully, but this was an instant reminder that they hope to use the Texas A&M star as a versatile combo edge-linebacker who can flourish in a 3-4 defense role.”
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