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The Cincinnati Bengals entered the 2026 offseason needing to build a defense capable of matching the championship-caliber offense led by Joe Burrow. They accomplished that goal aggressively. Cincy reshaped the roster through a series of high-profile additions that immediately raised expectations throughout the organization. They landed superstar nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II and veteran pass-rusher Jonathan Allen to transform the defensive front. The Bengals also added proven safety Kyle Dugger to reinforce the secondary. They signed veteran guard Dalton Risner to bolster protection up front. Combined with an incoming draft class headlined by lengthy cornerback Tacario Davis and versatile defensive back Josh Newton, the Bengals have dramatically increased competition across the roster. The downside of those improvements is that several veterans now find themselves fighting for roster spots they once considered secure.
No player may be feeling that pressure more than defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr. He has yet to develop into the disruptive interior force Cincinnati envisioned when it invested significant draft capital in him. The arrivals of Lawrence and Allen have fundamentally altered the defensive line hierarchy. That will leave fewer opportunities for rotational contributors to carve out meaningful roles. Unlike Lawrence, Jenkins does not possess elite size as a run-stuffing anchor. Unlike Allen, he has yet to demonstrate consistent pass-rushing production.
That leaves Jenkins trapped in an uncomfortable middle ground where versatility alone may no longer be enough. With younger developmental players continuing to push for opportunities and the coaching staff searching for maximum production from every roster spot, Jenkins enters training camp needing to prove he can consistently create penetration and impact games. If that breakthrough fails to materialize, Cincinnati could eventually explore trade options or make the difficult decision to move on altogether.
The numbers game is equally concerning for cornerback DJ Ivey. To his credit, Ivey has exceeded expectations since entering the league. He has developed into a reliable depth option and valuable contributor on special teams. Unfortunately, roster construction often has little regard for past accomplishments. The Bengals suddenly possess one of their deepest cornerback groups in recent memory. It features established contributors such as DJ Turner II, Dax Hill, and Jalen Davis. Newcomers Tacario Davis and Josh Newton have already generated considerable buzz throughout offseason workouts. Their performance during minicamp only added to the growing excitement surrounding Cincinnati’s young secondary.
As a result, Ivey finds himself slipping further down the depth chart through no fault of his own. Unless he can establish himself as an indispensable special teams performer during training camp and preseason action, he could become a victim of the Bengals’ newfound depth.
The final name on this list is quarterback Sean Clifford. His path to a roster spot appears increasingly narrow. Sure, Burrow remains firmly entrenched as the franchise quarterback. Still, Cincinnati’s backup quarterback room has quietly become one of the most experienced groups in the league. The addition of former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco...
