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(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

The Cincinnati Bengals have overhauled their defense this offseason to ensure it can at least be average, which, given the offense they have, should be good enough to put them in playoff contention this upcoming 2026 NFL season.

Cincinnati used their first round pick to trade for Dexter Lawrence II and then used their second round pick to select edge rusher Cashius Howell. Moreover, in the third round, the Bengals took Tacario Davis to improve their secondary.

These moves followed the Bengals’ signings of Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, and Bryan Cook in free agency. Nonetheless, could the Bengals bolster their linebacker group, given that they didn’t draft one?

As a result, CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo is urging the signing of a short-term solution in former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner, who would bring both veteran and championship experience.

“The Bengals need a veteran inside linebacker to complete their aggressive defensive overhaul,” DeArdo wrote in his April 26 article. “Wagner is unsigned and likely hopes to play for a legitimate title contender in 2026. 

“Yes, the Bengals were 6-11 last season, but that was because Joe Burrow missed more than half of the season with an injury and the Bengals’ defense was historically bad for most of the year. Burrow is healthy now, though, and the Bengals’ defense should be much better in 2026 with their recent additions on that side of the ball, which include three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.”

What Production Would Bobby Wagner Bring?

Last season with the Washington Commanders, Wagner turned in a 78.6 overall defensive grade from PFF, ranking ninth out of 88 qualified linebackers. His work in coverage was less effective, posting a 51.1 grade that placed 51st. Against the run, though, he stood out with a 90.3 grade, good for fifth at the position, while his 92.4 pass-rush grade ranked second among qualified linebackers.

He finished the year with 107 solo tackles and created 20 total pressures, including five sacks as a blitzer. In coverage, opposing quarterbacks posted a 107.2 passer rating when targeting him, and he was credited with eight missed tackles.

Bengals’ Cashius Howell Ready to Show Off Impressive Trait

Moreover, Howell spoke to the media in Cincinnati on April 25 and shared the mindset that he intends to bring to the Bengals’ defense ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

“I know there’s some speculation about arm length and things of that nature, but I feel like if you turn on the tape, you see the type of player I am,” Howell said (h/t Jaron May of WLWT).

“You see the relentless effort, the motor, and the intentionality I put into this game. I feel like anybody with eyes will be able to see that I’m a great player who can add a lot of value to this defense.

“I take pride in having a relentless, aggressive attitude. You can go back to a guy named Aaron Donald. I know you guys know him, and I remember a clip of him telling himself, ‘controlled aggression, controlled aggression.'”

Despite playing aggressively on the field like the former Los Angeles Rams star, Howell noted that he makes sure it doesn’t come at a cost that hurts his team.

“I like to be as aggressive, as relentless and as intense as I possibly can, but in a controlled manner, all while making sure I’m honing in on my 1/11th on the defense, my specific technique and my keys, while going as fast and as aggressively as humanly possible,” Howell added.