Welcome to the third annual most important offseason in franchise history.
This week on Matt and Willie Know Ball, the duo dips their toes into the waters of what is to come.
The Bengals need help. We all know that it’s true. The good news is that they have money to spend and draft picks to select. So who should be the targets?
Defense is the obvious need, which is a pretty broad statement and yet quite true. The defense was so bad in 2024 that it got Lou Anarumo fired, and it was arguably worse in 2025. That puts Al Golden in a very awkward position as he looks to lead his unit on a massive turnaround next season.
Whether it was the volume knob or the AM/PM, last year, the Bengals slept through most of free agency. In de facto general manager Duke Tobin’s historic postseason press conference, he proclaimed his affection for pass rushers and his deep desire to address that dire need, but to equate head coach Zac Taylor, “I hear better than I see.”
Will Duke put his money where his mouth is, or the Brown family’s money where his mouth is to be more accurate? He had better.
Matt and Willie each share one of their favorite Bengals targets in both free agency and the draft. Not surprisingly, all four players are on defense. Perhaps surprisingly, none of them are linebackers.
I hope you are ready to have your minds blown because Mat and Willie are back with a vengeance.
Be sure to subscribe to Bleav in Cincy to hear the latest from the whole crew on everything Cincinnati Bengals! In addition to Matt and Willie Know Ball, you’ll hear from the Orange and Black Insider, Bengal Jim and Friends, and Three-and-Out.
Who Dey!
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