The Cincinnati Bengals need all the help they can get on defense entering the 2025 NFL season. After finishing last year 25th in points against and yards allowed, the Bengals remain one of the league's most difficult teams to project.
Quarterback Joe Burrow headlines an offense that can threaten to score the most points in the NFL this season, but if the defense, led by Al Golden, doesn't at least improve to league average, it could be another MVP-worthy campaign that gets wasted.
The Top-10 QB-Pass Catcher duos, per @TampaBayTre pic.twitter.com/s1G8cfnhtd
— PFF (@PFF) June 6, 2025
That's why a recent breakdown of one trade that every team should make before the start of the 2025 season had the Bengals targeting a new slot cornerback: The Detroit Lions' Amik Robertson.
"The Lions signed D.J. Reed to replace Carlton Davis and hope Ennis Rakestraw Jr. can step up after barely seeing the field as a rookie," PFSN's Brandon Austin wrote. "If that happens, Robertson could be a trade target for teams looking for a reliable slot corner.
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The Cincinnati Bengals might be one of those teams. They’re still figuring out if Dax Hill fits better outside or in the slot. They allowed big numbers to slot receivers last year and ranked 28th in Defense+ overall."
Even with an explosive offense, Cincinnati’s poor defense kept them out of the playoffs. Robertson, who turns 27 before the season, could help change that."
While adding Robertson would certainly help the Bengals' pass defense, it'll be worthless if they fail to reach a happy ending with Trey Hendrickson, who PFSN predicts will be dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles.
While I don't see that as a realistic outcome, there is a non-zero chance that Hendrickson sits out for a large portion of the 2025 season, making any moves Cincinnati makes to advance their defense closer to middle of the pack completely moot.
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