This offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals are looking to make some upgrades to their defense. While the offense is mostly set, the defense needs some major work.
While the safety room, linebacker room, and cornerback room are all needed, the Bengals also need to upgrade their pass rush room. That isn't just edge rushers, but interior rushers as well.
But, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Bengals missed out on a top defensive lineman, as John Franklin-Myers, who is to sign with the Tennessee Titans on a $63 million deal, was a target of the Bengals this offseason.
Bengals miss out on John Franklin-Myers
"The Bengals, 49ers, and Colts were interested in John Franklin-Myers," Russini reports. "The Titans end up landing him."
Franklin-Myers was the best available interior defensive lineman this offseason. And instead of the Bengals landing him as a big free agent addition, he's joining the Titans on a $63 million contract over three years.
The Bengals missed out on Franklin-Myers, as did the San Francisco 49ers and the Indianapolis Colts, two teams that have made big free agent splashes at wide receiver this offseason with Mike Evans and Alex Pierce, respectively.
More: John Franklin-Myers linked to Bengals with $42 million projection
The 29-year-old lineman started 31 games the last two seasons for the Broncos, and he recorded 14.5 sacks, 65 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 33 quarterback hits.
Adding Franklin-Myers to the Bengals defense would've been a very nice addition. However, the Bengals couldn't bring him in due to the Titans' big offer.
Cincinnati could've used this veteran, but will now have to pivot to other interior and edge pass rushers as the Bengals eye major defensive upgrades.
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