The Cincinnati Bengals knew they had to address all areas of their defense, and started the process by hiring new defensive coordinator Al Golden from Notre Dame, and then spent early draft picks on Shemar Stewart and Demetrius Knight Jr. in the first two rounds. Cincinnati did not select a defensive back in this year’s draft, meaning Golden will have his work cut out for him in the secondary for a passing defense that was 21st in the league, allowing 223.5 passing yards per game.
This week, Pro Football Focus released their rankings for all 32 teams and their secondary units coming into the 2025 season, and while there was no major additions, there are familiar names who need to step up this year. Focusing on cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt and safety Geno Stone, here’s what PFF had to say about the Cincinnati secondary:
“The vaunted secondary that fueled an AFC championship run now feels like a distant memory, as the Bengals’ secondary looks completely different in 2025. Despite last season’s struggles, Cincinnati neither drafted a defensive back nor made a significant offseason addition to the unit. It’s a risky approach, but there are still some solid pieces. Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt and safety Geno Stone performed well in 2023 but regressed in 2024. The hope is that a change in defensive coordinator can spark a turnaround for this group in 2025.” (PFF.com)
With no new names added to the secondary, Cam Taylor-Britt and Geno Stone will have to step up and produce as the leaders of the unit. There’s also plenty of opportunity for two 2023 draft picks, cornerback DJ Turner and safety Jordan Battle to take the next step in their respective careers to help raise the level of production in the secondary. A big factor in the secondary’s turnaround will be Golden’s presence and what he can do to turn the unit around.
