A major question mark remains Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals’ lone standout on a weak defense. PFF labeled his status as the most important roster decision for 2026, given Hendrickson’s injury-shortened 2025, his 90.0 PFF pass-rushing grade when healthy, and his looming unrestricted free-agent status. Cincinnati’s options range from franchise tagging or short-term deals to potential trades or allowing him to walk, underscoring the leverage his proven production provides amid broader defensive concerns.
PFF’s offseason guidance for Cincinnati echoed the need for a defensive-line overhaul, recommending the club target a high-impact interior defender in the 2026 NFL Draft. Specifically, the analysis advocated selecting Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods with the 10th overall pick to address run defense and interior pressure. Woods, noted for his run-stopping ability and pass-rush potential, could provide an immediate interior impact as part of a broader, multi-year defensive rebuild.
Overall, the Bengals are prioritizing a defensive transformation in 2026, with a focus on stabilizing the trenches and reasserting the pass rush. While Hendrickson’s contract situation adds complexity, the draft emphasis on a disruptive interior lineman signals a clear strategy: boost run defense, improve overall efficiency, and create more disruptive opportunities for the defense to carry the team.
