Cincinnati Bengals
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The Bengals were pushed to trade for a Dolphins linebacker
The Cincinnati Bengals have done a solid job revamping their defense this offseason. Despite losing All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to the division rival Baltimore Ravens, the team has still found ways to shore up their defensive line and secondary.
On the defensive line, Cincinnati signed former Seahawks edge Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million contract. Additionally, the team signed former Pro Bowl veteran interior defensive lineman Jonathan Allen to a two-year, $25 million contract.
In the secondary, the Bengals signed native safety Bryan Cook, who previously played for the Kansas City Chiefs, to a three-year, $40.2 million contract. They also signed veteran safety Kyle Dugger to a one-year contract.
That leaves the linebacker position as the defensive area the Bengals are yet to address. However, a new trade idea would result in Cincinnati acquiring one of the best linebackers in the NFL.
Cincinnati Bengals Pushed to Trade for Jordyn Brooks
Fox Sports reporter Ralph Vacchiano listed one player for every NFL team that they should try and target in a trade during the 2026 NFL Draft. For the Cincinnati Bengals, Vacchiano listed Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks.
In his trade idea, Cincinnati would give up third- and seventh-round picks in exchange for Miami’s All-Pro linebacker. Vacchiano wrote:
“It remains to be seen if they’ve done enough to boost their defensive line in the wake of Trey Hendrickson’s departure, but there’s no doubt the Bengals need help at linebacker regardless. The 28-year-old Brooks is a tackle machine, coming off an All-Pro season and heading into the last year of his contract. That last part is reason enough for the rebuilding Dolphins to trade him, especially if they could get the Bengals’ third-round pick, and a little more, in return.”
Brooks is coming off the best season of his career, and would undoubtedly provide a boost to Cincinnati’s defense. During the 2025 season, Brooks led the NFL with 183 combined tackles while also registering 3.5 sacks. He wasPro Football Focus’ third-highest graded run defender and finished as the 10th-ranked linebacker.
Trade Possibility
The Miami Dolphins have shown a willingness to trade talented players this offseason, as they have already traded Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos, and Minkah Fitzpatrick to the New York Jets. They seem to be undergoing a full rebuild and might be willing to part ways with a 28-year-old linebacker with only one year remaining on his contract.
Despite this, Miami’s general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan seems intent on keeping Brooks ashe told reporters, “We want him to be a pillar on the defensive side of this as we build this thing out.”
However, Sullivan also admitted that he has taken calls on Brooks. Cincinnati could be able to land the talented linebacker if the Dolphins are unable to reach an extension with Brooks. At that point, a trade package like the one Vacchiano came up with might be enough for the Bengals to add one of the best linebackers in the NFL, fresh off his first-team All-Pro season.