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USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bengals' x-factor for 2025 NFL season flying under the radar
Bengals' x-factor for 2025 NFL season flying under the radar When it comes to x-factors in 2025, the Cincinnati Bengals have a few who come to mind. Think, someone like rookie Demetrius Knight being able to step in and help on the defense right away. Or the front office when it comes to solving the contract standoffs with both Trey Hendrickson and rookie Shemar Stewart. Somewhat joking about the front office aside, another key x-factor is second-year offensive tackle Amarius Mims, who just found himself spotlighted as such by Pro Football Focus' Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman: "The Bengals had the second-lowest-graded offensive line in the league, finishing above only the Patriots. The unit remains mostly the same from 2024, and the player whom most are expecting to make a jump is right tackle Amarius Mims. The 2024 first-round pick mostly had a rookie season to forget, placing 67th among all tackles with a 57.8 PFF overall grade. If he doesn't experience a sophomore breakout, Cincinnati's offensive line could struggle mightily once again." RELATED: Bengals UDFA is already turning heads at OTAs The Bengals are certainly counting on Mims to make a second-year leap and stay on the field. They could also trot out two new starters at guard with free-agent arrival Lucas Patrick and rookie Dylan Fairchild. Arguably more than anything, the Bengals hope that a new-look coaching staff overseeing the offensive trenches offers a big solution too, helping to get the most out of their guys while finally developing some of their own draft picks properly. RELATED: Cincinnati Bengals players missing OTAs list ahead of training camp
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Could Bengals Sign Final Piece of Defense?
Much of the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive attention has been spent on the front seven. They brought back defensive tackle B.J. Hill and signed T.J. Slaton Jr. Cincinnati also signed linebacker Oren Burks, and in the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, edge rusher Shemar Stewart and linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. added to that pursuit. The secondary behind one of the league's worst defenses, though, hasn't seen much improvement at all. Advertisement That doesn't mean it is too late to make a move. Late in free agency, a handful of viable candidates remain available, including veterans with rather impressive resumes to their name. The Bengals were encouraged to sign two-time All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore by Jeffri Chadia. 'Cincinnati needs as much depth and experience as it can find in its secondary after fielding one of the league's worst pass defenses last season,' Chadiha wrote. Even though he turns 35 in September, Gilmore could help with that cause. 'For one, he's still proven to be a competent man-coverage cornerback, which is a skill set the Bengals will covet with new defensive coordinator Al Golden replacing Lou Anarumo (Golden relied heavily on man coverage as Notre Dame's defensive coordinator last season). Cincinnati also is hoping that Daxton Hill can rebound from a torn ACL that limited him to just five games in 2024. Gilmore can provide depth in case Hill is slow to return to form.' Advertisement The biggest culprit for Cincinnati's problems was in the trenches, particularly stopping the run. The cornerback room is still questionable, headlined by Cam Taylor-Britt with less consistent play from DJ Turner II and Josh Newton on the boundary. Another perimeter corner could be of use, especially one with big-game experience. Gilmore's accomplishments might land him in the Hall of Fame one day. One final showing would certainly help. 'Gilmore also has done everything a cornerback can do in this league -- a list that includes winning a Super Bowl in New England and being named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 -- so his leadership would be invaluable for a team with so many young players at that position,' he continued. 'Finally, Gilmore would be cheap. He played on a one-year deal valued at $10 million in Minnesota last season. For a team that just gave huge extensions to wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins -- and continues to not be on the same page with star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson -- a bargain like this at cornerback would be ideal.' Advertisement Gilmore is relatively stable in coverage, even in his mid-30s, and a limited role might help mitigate concerns with an athletic decline. His consistency against the run certainly helps, too. The Bengals won't be expected to make any significant moves, at least not until the Hendrickson extension is figured out. Given the price tag and the limited market, Gilmore is a reasonable target this late in the offseason. Related: Bengals Trade Trey Hendrickson Rumored with Coach Connection Related: Bengals Signing Jadeveon Would Help Hendrickson Worry
