In 2023, the Cincinnati Bengals defense had a rough season. They ranked 31st in the NFL, allowing 374.6 yards per game. Coach Lou Anarumo faced a tough task in the offseason to bring the defense back to the level that helped them succeed in previous postseasons. Despite the addition of players like Geno Stone and Sheldon Rankins, the departure of DJ Reader raised concerns about replacing his run-stuffing ability.
However, despite this, Sports Illustrated recently ranked the team’s defensive triplets – the best edge rusher, linebacker, and cornerback trio – at 25th in the league. This ranking may have been surprising given that returning veterans Trey Hendrickson, Logan Wilson, and Cam Taylor-Britt will play a crucial role in improving the defense. Hendrickson’s decision to stay with the team was a positive development given his productivity since joining the Bengals in 2021. Wilson and Taylor-Britt are also key playmakers who can make an impact on the field.
While their performance may have been lackluster last season, it is noteworthy that they showed improvement in the red zone by allowing an average of 22.6 points per game. Although they ranked 21st in the NFL, their ability to prevent touchdowns could be a motivating factor for them to excel this season and prevent opponents from scoring touchdowns. With these improvements in mind, it is clear that Anarumo has his work cut out for him as he tries to turn around this struggling defense into a formidable unit once again.