The Cincinnati Bengals made a number of moves this offseason to address the defense, but two position groups were largely omitted from the improvements. Al Golden and the staff appear to be content with the growth ahead for Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter at linebacker, while the cornerback group didn’t see many overall additions.
One re-signing the team made early in the offseason process was in the veteran slot corner, Jalen Davis. He took over the Mike Hilton role last year and turned heads
about his viability at the spot for the immediate future.
In speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Davis talked about his desire to hang on to the role and build upon his 2025 season.
“First, and foremost, it’s God — gotta have faith in God and have faith in His plan,” Davis said when asked about biding his time to get more NFL snaps. “I’ve always been ready to play, but it wasn’t God’s timing.
“But his timing might be now, so I’m ready for it.”
Davis’ NFL career arc has some Rudy Ruettiger-like elements to it. After a solid college career at Utah State, he was signed by the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2018.
He was released by Miami in 2019 and then picked up by Arizona and placed on its practice squad. After spending part of 2020 with the Cardinals, he was released in October of that year. Then, his wild seven-year ride with the Bengals began.
After bouncing on and off both the active roster and practice squad with Cincinnati through 2024, Davis finally saw some continuity last year, appearing in seven games and starting three.
“It means a lot—it took me a little while to get up out there, but I’ve got a lot of talent and can make a whole lot of plays, so I’m just glad to be out there and play with my boys,” Davis said about finally getting extensive opportunities in his eighth season. He also later added that “it means a lot” and “it shows they (the Bengals) have a little bit of faith in me” when asked about the February one-year extension that was agreed upon.
Last year, Davis racked up 20 total tackles, an interception, a sack, and a forced fumble in those seven games played. He had a 65.5 overall Pro Football Focus score for his 270 snaps played.
The Bengals added hybrid defender Kyle Dugger, as well as third-round corner Tacario Davis, this offseason. Dugger is more of a Swiss Army Knife-type of player that may do more linebacker facets in the defense, and while Davis may initially play a Tre Flowers-esque role, he projects to a boundary corner.
That leaves the 30-year-old Davis as a guy with the inside track on the slot corner job. Josh Newton may also be in the mix, and Dax Hill may also kick inside on some packages, but the veteran Davis will have a role in Golden’s plans.
“Playmaker—go out there and make plays for us,” Davis answered when asked about what he hopes the outside perception is of his play. And, on limited snaps, he proved that last year.
Davis is entering his ninth NFL season and seems to be a favorite amongst the Bengals’ staff. While Golden has seen an overhaul to the defensive line and safety spots this offseason, he’s earmarked a couple of “his guys” at spots, and Davis appears to be one of them—even if in a rotational role.
