After free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft have concluded, the Cincinnati Bengals have completely revamped their defense.
They first began their defensive makeover by signing Bryan Cook, Boye Mafe, and Jonathan Allen to multi-year contracts. Then, the team made its biggest move as they traded the No. 10 pick and acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants.
However,the one spot the Bengals have yet to address on defense. And now, the team is being urged to pursue an All-Pro linebacker, with one year remaining on his current contract.
Bengals Urged to Acquire Jordyn Brooks
SB Nation’s Anthony Cosenza believes the Bengals should try to acquire Miami Dolphins All-Pro linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who has already been the subject of trade talks this offseason. Cosenza wrote:
“Brooks was a First-Team All-Pro in 2025, racking up a whopping 183 total tackles. He signed a lucrative three-year, $26.3 million contract with the Dolphins in the 2024 offseason, leaving the Seattle Seahawks. Brooks had an outstanding 3.3% missed tackle rate last year.
Brooks was a standout with Seattle before landing with Miami, too. He moved around in different linebacker roles with the Seahawks, but he racked up 184 tackles in 2021 and 161 in 2022.
In the final year of that deal, Brooks could be a trade possibility, and the Bengals could be interested at the right price. This would continue their “All-In” mentality this offseason, with the myriad of free agency signings and Lawrence trade acquisition.
Brooks is entering his seventh season and will turn 29 in October. He still has some quality football in front of him, and the Dolphins might be inclined to move him off their books with the two lesser-expensive linebacker acquisitions they made on Friday and Saturday.”
Some around the Dolphins have also wondered whether the Dolphins might be more inclined to move Brooks after the team drafted two linebackers in Day 2 of the NFL Draft. Shayne Kubas wrote for Phin Phanatic:
“It’s hard not to immediately wonder about the future of All-Pro linebacker Jordyn Brooks. Brooks is in the final year of the three-year contract he signed with Miami back in 2024, and the new front office has no ties to him.”
Potential Price for Brooks
While Miami drafting two linebackers could be a good sign in terms of Brooks’ potential availability for a trade, Miami’s general manager indicated that he expected the team’s second-round pick to play alongside Brooks. However, after the Dolphins already entertained calls on Brooks earlier this offseason, it may be possible that a Day 2 or early Day 3 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft entices Miami to deal the veteran.
Despite his All-Pro background and leading the NFL in tackles last season, Brooks is in the final year of his contract. The linebacker has amassed $31 million in career earnings, according to Spotrac, and is likely looking for a large contract this offseason which would lower his trade value.
Not only is the Dolphins linebacker coming off the best season of his career, but he would also provide Cincinnati’s defense some valued leadership. Brooks was named a team captain in only his second season with Miami. Adding one of the best weak-side linebackers in the NFL could be just what the Bengals need.
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