Cincinnati Bengals
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The Bengals were deemed to be the best fit for All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd
The Cincinnati Bengals had a disappointing 2025 season as they finished with a 6-11 record, which marked their worst season since 2020. Since their appearance in the AFC Championship in 2022, the Bengals have now missed the postseason for three consecutive seasons.
After suffering a turf toe injury and missing most of the season, quarterback Joe Burrow returned and made headlines at a press conference following a tough loss to the Buffalo Bills. He spoke about not having fun, which led teams around the league to wonder about the status of Burrow long-term in Cincinnati. While Burrow retracted those comments and expressed that he simply had a bad day, it seems that theBengals front office did not take those words lightly.
According to NFL Network insider, the Bengals plan to spend in free agency in order to make their franchise quarterback happy. He said, “I do expect the Bengals to take his words and kind of use it to spur them on a little bit to really spend this offseason. I expect the Bengals to enhance and support everything Joe Burrow does.”
Now, a possible target for the Bengals has emerged. He comes from an AFC playoff team that may not be able to retain their All-Pro defender as they have the third-fewest cap space in the NFL.
Cincinnati Bengals Deemed Best Fit for All-Pro Linebacker
Bleacher Report writer Alex Kay listed the best free agent at each position and what he determined to be the best fit possible for each player. At linebacker, Kay selected Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd, who was selected as a second-team All-Pro in the 2025 season. He listed the Bengals as the best possible fit for Lloyd.
Kay wrote, “The Bengals can’t afford to miss out on a linebacker of Lloyd’s caliber. The organization has been squandering a Super Bowl window with a peak Joe Burrow leading elite offenses largely due to defensive ineptitude. Lloyd would be a massive upgrade to Cincy’s linebacking corps. The team struggled to get worthwhile production from the position last year, relying on overmatched rookies in Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. to play sizable roles.
With Lloyd excelling in both coverage and against the run last year, he’s proven to be the type of do-it-all talent that the Bengals desperately need to bolster their defense.”
Finally, he added that Lloyd’s projected contract would be a four-year, $59 million deal. The Bengals are among the top-10 teams in cap space, which would allow them to make a move.
Franchise Tag Possibility for Lloyd
Something that would complicate the possibility of the Bengals landing Lloyd is the Jaguars placing the franchise tag on him, which would prevent him from reaching free agency.
FortunatelyESPN writer Michael DiRocco does not see that happening, as he wrote, “Lloyd is coming off the best year of his career (five interceptions, a fumble recovery, 10 QB hits, 1.5 sacks) and was a second-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowler, but the Jaguars aren’t likely to tag Lloyd. The linebacker tag is projected to be $28.2 million, per OverTheCap.com, which is a large number for a non-pass-rushing linebacker who had an up-and-down first three years. Remember, the team declined to pick up his fifth-year option last spring because of that.”