Bengals Seek Defensive Upgrades Through Bold Trades

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The Cincinnati Bengals have major holes on the defensive side of the ball and need to upgrade every level of their defense. While they made some free agent additions, the front office still has work to do. Three potential trades the Bengals could make to continue upgrading their defense include acquiring edge rusher Jonathan Greenard from the Minnesota Vikings, linebacker Jordyn Brooks from the Miami Dolphins, and edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux from the New York Giants.

Why it matters

The Bengals' defense was a weakness last season, and they need to address that if they want to take the next step and compete for a Super Bowl. Adding impact players like Greenard, Brooks, and Thibodeaux would significantly improve their front seven and pass rush, which are two areas of major need. These trades could help the Bengals meet star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase's desire for the team to add more defensive talent.

The details

The Bengals could pursue a trade for Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, who has been mentioned in trade rumors. Greenard would provide a boost to Cincinnati's pass rush. They could also target Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks, an All-Pro who would be a perfect anchor for the middle of the Bengals' defense. Finally, the Bengals could try to acquire Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, a talented but injury-prone player who could help replace the production lost from Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai.

• The Bengals' defense struggled last season, leading to their offseason focus on upgrading that side of the ball.
• Free agency has already seen the Bengals add some defensive pieces, but more work remains to be done.

What’s next

The Bengals will need to evaluate the trade market and determine if any of these players are available and worth the cost of acquisition. They will also need to continue exploring other options to improve their defense through the draft and free agency.