The Cincinnati Bengals made major changes to their defense this offseason, going big with the Dexter Lawrence blockbuster trade and spending money on some solid free-agent starters.
By doing so, the Bengals acknowledged their plan to build even an average defense through the draft didn't work. Now, they believe they have a good enough defense to seize on quarterback Joe Burrow's window to get them back to the Super Bowl. Everyone knows what to expect from Burrow and the Bengals' offense, which returns all of its starters.
That means all eyes are on the defense as the Bengals open training camp on July 29. Here are the players and position battles to keep a close watch on during training camp:
Cincinnati Bengals player to watch: Shemar Stewart
The pressure is on the Bengals' 2025 first-round draft
pick after a disappointing rookie season, which was doomed from the get-go when Stewart made a boneheaded decision to hold out over language in his contract. Stewart was already a risky, boom-or-bust pick that many teams passed on, because of his inability to consistently get to the quarterback in college. Now it's time to find out if the Bengals are going to get any production out of him – or whether player personnel director Duke Tobin whiffed on another defensive pick.
Stewart is a major x-factor on an overhauled defensive line, because his performance this season will determine if the Bengals have to spend more money or draft capital on edge rusher again next year. The Bengals didn't pick up defensive end Myles Murphy's fifth-year option for 2027, in part, because they want to see if Stewart can replace him.
Bengals position to watch: Defensive line
Dovetailing off keeping an eye on Stewart, how the defensive line performs will determine if the Bengals can make the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Most Super Bowl contenders have fantastic defensive lines that can consistently pressure the quarterback and stop the run. The Bengals have drastically underachieved the past few seasons because of a weak defensive line, spurring them to change their archaic approach and trading a top-10 draft pick to the New York Giants for three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
How will Lawrence impact his teammates? He was questioned for being out of shape last season, but that shouldn't be an issue coming into camp. "He's in great condition, and he's ready to go," Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden said. If Lawrence can return to being a dominate force in the middle and consistently draw double teams, it should allow edge rushers Stewart, Murphy, Howell and new free-agent signee Boye Mafe to pressure the quarterback and slow down the run game after Cincinnati ranked last in the NFL in rushing defense.
And that should be enough to help Cincinnati contend for a playoff spot (as long as Joe Burrow stays healthy).
Bengals position to watch: Linebacker
The Bengals were bad at every level of the defense last season, but linebacker may have been their weakest position. The front office did coach Zac Taylor no favors by giving him two rookies and an aging Logan Wilson, who was traded midseason.
This is the one defensive position group the Bengals decided not to upgrade in the offseason, and they're running it back with Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. Both players admitted to struggling to grasp the scheme in their rookie seasons, and they were regarded as being among the worst starting linebackers in the league. They struggled in pass coverage and on tackling angles.
The Bengals' decision to cut corners indicates they believe Carter and Knight simply went through rookie growing pains, and that the team is counting on upgrades at the positions in front and behind the linebackers to help take pressure off the second-year starters.
Bengals player to watch: Bryan Cook
It was great to see the Bengals finally admit that cutting corners in free agency at safety wasn't working. The signings of middling or washed-up veterans Nick Scott, Vonn Bell (second stint) and Geno Stone played a big part in the Bengals' poor defensive play since 2022. That happened to be Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates' last season in Cincinnati after the Bengals refused to re-sign one of the key figures on the 2021 Super Bowl team.
Bryan Cook is a welcome (home) sight. The former Mount Healthy High School and UC Bearcats standout won two Super Bowl rings as a starter for Kansas City. He can tackle. He can cover the tight end over the middle. Cook's presence on the field should help fellow safety Jordan Battle. Cook also should take some pressure off the linebackers with his ability to come up and tackle.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Position battles, players to watch in Cincinnati Bengals training camp
