The Cincinnati Bengals are facing quite the pivotal offseason in 2026.

It’s going to be an offseason that will see them put a heavy emphasis on the defensive side of the ball.

Cinci’s defense was in the toilet in 2025. Take a quick look at where it finished in some key metrics.

• 31st in total yardage allowed per game (380.9)
• 32nd in yards per play allowed (6.2)
• 29th in EPA per play (+0.07)
• 32nd in rushing yards allowed per game (147.1)
• 30th in total touchdowns allowed (51)

That is all just on the surface. Cincinnati was terrible in just about all other important metrics. At best, they were at best slightly-below-average in a few like pressure rate.

With that being said, it is paramount that the Bengals add some difference makers on the defensive side of the ball. To their credit, they did try this with Shemar Stewart in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. However, the former Texas A&M Aggie only appeared in 8 games in 2025, registering only one sack.

PFF Reveals Bengals’ Most Important Roster Decision in 2026 Offseason

Understandably, Pro Football Focus named the handling of edge rusher Trey Hendrickson as their most important roster decision.

“No, it isn’t Groundhog Day. The Bengals face another offseason whether uncertainty shrouds Trey Hendrickson’s contract, with multiple permutations for how the situation can play out.

After months of trade requests and rumors, Hendrickson signed a retooled one-year deal before 2025. When back on the field with Cincinnati, the All-Pro was dynamic with 23 pressures and a 90.0 PFF pass-rushing grade, but he played in only seven games due to a hip injury.

While the Bengals hold some leverage in contract talks because of the Hendrickson injury in 2025, they still may be on the outside looking in to get him locked up. Hendrickson has leverage because he has basically been the lone bright spot on a terrible Bengals defense.

PFF continued their explanation regarding the Hendrickson situation in 2026.

With Hendrickson set to be an unrestricted free agent yet again, the Bengals could franchise tag him or keep the star on a short-term deal. Even if Hendrickson is franchise-tagged, though, Cincinnati could try to trade him. Alternatively, letting Hendrickson walk and sign elsewhere is entirely on the table, especially after multiple seasons of contract stalemates.”

Cincinnati Recommended to Acquire Defensive Lineman in 2026 NFL Draft

Pro Football Focus also recently did a deep-dive for each team’s biggest need and how they should address them this offseason.

For the Bengals, that need was understandably defensive line. PFF’s remedy was for Cinci to draft Clemson DI Peter Woods with the 10th overall pick in April’s 2026 NFL Draft.

Consider their explanation.

“The Bengals have some major concerns in the trenches, but particularly on defense. They were gashed all year on the ground, with opposing teams averaging nearly 150 rushing yards per game, which resulted in a 45.3 PFF run-defense grade (30th in the NFL).

While his production dipped in 2025 (72.2 PFF overall grade), Peter Woods has the potential to be a difference-maker from day one. The standout defensive tackle out of Clemson earned PFF overall grades of 83.7 in 2024 and 87.6 in 2023, defending the run and rushing the passer at a high level from the interior.”

Woods could provide a balanced-yet-impactful quality of play on the interior of a struggling Bengals defensive line. Cincinnati needs oodles of help in both the run-defending and pass-defending phases of the game.

Peter Woods wouldn’t fix everything himself, but he would be an excellent start.