Losing All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson in free agency to the division-rival Baltimore Ravens contributed to the letdown last season, creating extra urgency for the Bengals to retool. The Lawrence addition is designed to fortify the defense and complement Burrow’s offense as Cincinnati looks to compete at the highest level again.
With Lawrence in the fold, Cincinnati is positioned to revisit the contention mentality that defined the 2022 season, when the Bengals reached the AFC Championship Game. That resurgence would be aided by a defense capable of imposing its will and creating opportunities for the offense to operate more efficiently in high-stakes moments.
Meanwhile, former Bengals running back Joe Mixon remains a free agent. Over seven seasons in Cincinnati, Mixon produced four 1,000-yard rushing campaigns and earned a Pro Bowl nod, before spending the past two seasons with the Texans after a trade and a brief release by Cincinnati. He missed the 2025 season due to a foot injury but had tallied 1,016 rushing yards in 2024 and showed a knack for big-time production when healthy.
A potential reunion between Mixon and the Bengals has been discussed as a possibility to pair a proven veteran with the club’s young backfield. Head coach Zac Taylor once praised Mixon’s contributions, and while no teams have publicly shown interest, Cincinnati could pursue a low-cost, veteran-minimum deal to complement starter Chase Brown. Tahj Brooks, a sixth-round rookie, is also expected to compete for carries in his second season, which could influence any return scenarios.
