The Cincinnati Bengals will be looking to improve a defense that can’t get much worse.
The defensive unit was downright atrocious in 2025. The best player on it, Trey Hendrickson, is a pending unrestricted free agent. Other contributors like Geno Stone and Mike Hilton are primed to hit the open market as well.
Cincinnati was named a perfect landing spot for Kevin Byard recently by PFF. Now, they’ve received a big message regarding Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal.
Bengals Named Top Landing Spot for Leo Chenal
The message comes from ESPN’s Matt Bowen. Bowen put together a list of the best landing spots for his top 50 free agents this offseason.
He claims that these Bengals are the best fit for linebacker Leo Chenal as well.
“With his ability to pressure and walk up into the front, Chenal would give defensive coordinator Al Golden more flexibility within his game plans. In four seasons with the Chiefs, Chenal recorded 193 total tackles, seven sacks and 28 pressures.”
Chenal would be a welcome presence on a defense needing a lot of help. Is he a name that brings superstar status with it? No, he’s not. However, the Bengals need all the help they can get when trying to stop opposing offenses.
Cinci Named Top Landing Spot for Kevin Byard
Byard made a name for himself, proving to be a ball hawk with the Titans. After an impressive tenure in the Music City, he made his way to Philadelphia via trade in 2023.
He was released from the Eagles in early 2024, eventually making his way to the Bears. He signed a 2-year/$15 million contract 9 days after departing from Philly. In 2025, Byard was back to his ball-hawking ways. He led the NFL in interceptions with 7, and became a First Team All-Pro for the third time in his decorated career.
That two year deal he signed with the Bears in 2024 will expire in early March. Therefore, he can test the open market on this offseason.
Pro Football Focus believes he would fit best on the Cincinnati Bengals.
“Byard is a true deep center fielder with natural ball-hawking skills. Over the past three seasons, the veteran safety has produced a 90.4 PFF coverage grade as the deep-free and deep-third defender.
That capability allows him to make plays on the ball, having secured an NFL-leading seven interceptions for the Bears this past season. His experience would also provide a veteran voice in the coverage unit, something sorely lacking in Cincinnati this past season.”
Byard will turn 33 in August, making him one of the elders of the secondary in the NFL. Still, the Bengals could absolutely rely on him to provide upside on the back-end of their defense.
