The Cincinnati Bengals have a very young defense, but for them to move forward, they could use some seasoned veterans.
Although the players on this list may not be able to do everything physically that they once could, they can still be productive and would make great mentors for the young defenders.
Here are some potential free agents whose experience could be invaluable to the Bengals.
Linebackers
The Bengals started two rookie linebackers for most of 2025. Once Logan Wilson headed south, there was no one around to teach them how to be a pro or support them on the field.
Here are some veterans who could provide some much-needed experience at the position.
Bobby Wagner
What better role model could Barrett Carter have than Bobby Wagner?
Wagner is 35 and coming off a solid season with the Commanders. He spent the majority of his career in Seattle as the signal caller for the Legion of Boom. Wagner has always been known for his ability in coverage.
Wagner had 107 tackles and five sacks in Washington last season. Adding Wagner means demoting Carter, at least in the short term.
Demario Davis
At 36, Demario Davis still had a productive year for the scrappy New Orleans Saints defense.
Davis had 99 tackles last season, but will the rebuilding Saints be interested in retaining the aging veteran?
Perhaps Davis would be interested in rejoining his former position coach, Mike Hodges, in Cincinnati. He would be a perfect guy to model exactly what Hodges is looking for.
Davis would take over for Carter as the starting Mike backer in the short term, but he would be a great mentor for both Carter and Demetrius Knight.
Lavonte David
At 35, Lavonte David is no longer the star linebacker he once was, but in his prime, he was arguably the best in the league. After a rough season in Tampa Bay, may be willing to take a smaller role for a contender.
David had 71 tackles and four sacks as a starter for the Bucs last season.
He could come to Cincinnati and get 600 snaps as LB3 and have 50 tackles while supporting the young linebackers.
Pass Rushers
The Bengals pass rush has more juice than production. There are some veterans who could change that in more ways than one.
These veterans could not only add their own sacks but teach the Bengals’ young pass rushers how to approach film and preparation, helping them be more productive.
Von Miller
Von Miller literally hosts a clinic on pass-rush technique. That seems like a great thing to have around Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart.
At 36, Miller played only 420 snaps for the Commanders this season but still had 10 sacks. (Murphy and Stewart had 10.5 in 1298 combined snaps.)
He could come in on third downs, allowing Stewart to kick inside. On the practice field, his experience would be invaluable to the young Bengals pass rushers.
Just imagine having an elite pass-rush coach who gave you 10 sacks by himself.
Jadeveon Clowney
The 32-year-old Clowney played 372 snaps for the Cowboys a year ago and had an impressive 8.5 sacks.
Clowney is a versatile moving piece who can rush from the edge as well as the interior. He would be an excellent mentor for Shemar Stewart, who I believe could be used in a very similar way.
Clowney has 12 years of NFL experience and 66.5 sacks to show for it.
Khalil Mack
At age 34, Khalil Mack played 424 snaps for the Chargers and posted six sacks this season. That brings his total to 113 in his 12-year career.
The 2016 (Ja’Marr Chase’s junior year… in high school) defensive player of the year still has some juice and certainly has a lot of knowledge to impart to guys like Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart.
Dante Fowler Jr.
Would you believe that Fowler is only 31?
Crazy for a guy who has 58.5 sacks over a 10-year career.
Fowler played limited snaps this season (358). He added a respectable three sacks to his career total.
He could be a role-player for the Bengals and provide veteran leadership to the group.
Kyle Van Noy
Van Noy has played on some really good defenses in New England and Baltimore over his 12-year professional career.
The 34-year-old has 57 career sacks. He had only two sacks in 493 snaps last season, but had 12.5 sacks only a year ago.
Van Noy’s experience could make him an invaluable resource to the Bengals defensive front and provide production as well.
Calais Campbell
At 39, Calais Campbell is still terrifying NFL quarterbacks. Last season, he had six sacks for the Cardinals in 524 snaps, rushing mostly from the interior.
At 6’8” 282, Campbell is a massive specimen. He brings a physical presence as well as 18 years of experience and 117 career sacks.
Campbell may be a bit long in the tooth, but he can still be the dominant interior force that the Bengals defense has lacked for years.
Brandon Graham
Graham played a very limited role in Philadelphia this year, taking only 113 snaps, but the 37-year-old still had three sacks.
Graham would not play a huge role on the field, but the 16-year vet has a wealth of experience and 79.5 career sacks to his name.
He could be a nice change-of-pace pass rusher and pass along some of his expertise to the Bengals young pass-rushers.
DaQuan Jones
DaQuan Jones is still getting it done for the Bills defense at the ripe old age of 34. Signing a 34-year-old nose tackle would be unconventional to say the least, but Jones is a special player.
The 320-pounder is strong against the run and had three sacks in only 424 total snaps. He would be a great change-up to T.J. Slaton and an excellent mentor for Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson.
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