If the Cincinnati Bengals had played better defense in 2024, they would likely have punched their ticket to the postseason already instead of having to fight for their playoff lives in Week 18.
The Bengals need three things to happen in order to make the playoffs. First, they have to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. Then, Cincinnati needs both the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins to lose.
No matter how things shake out over the weekend, improving the defense should be a major priority for the Bengals in 2025. With that in mind, Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine thinks Cincinnati will sign Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White.
“The Bengals defense needs a major reset after this season. Lou Anarumo’s squad had a few good seasons, but the bottom fell out this year and changes are needed across the board. Linebacker isn’t the biggest need, but the Bengals would do well to add some more athleticism alongside Logan Wilson,” Ballentine wrote.
“Kyzir White could be a cheap alternative. The 6’2″, 234-pound backer is a good athlete with speed to run sideline-to-sideline. He’d make for a complementary sidekick to Wilson in the middle of the defense.”
The problem with Ballentine’s suggestion is the Bengals figure to already have their starting linebackers for next season in Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson, who is currently on injured reserve.
Not to mention, White would be a lateral move, at best, for the Bengals. He doesn’t figure to provide an upgrade, and he might actually be a downgrade. Furthermore, White and Pratt aren’t far off in terms of money, so replacing the latter with the former won’t even save money.
The Bengals are in good enough shape at linebacker in 2024 that they can roll with what they currently have. Cincinnati would be better served dumping some money into the secondary instead.
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