The Cincinnati Bengals came into the 2026 NFL offseason with a very clear goal of improving the defensive side of the ball.
Their offense was perfectly fine, but they really needed to add a bit more help to the defense. They did just that, with the Dexter Lawrence trade being the big move that, hopefully, will play a huge role in things getting better for Cincinnati.
As The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr notes, Lawrence is already making a positive impact and making the team feel confident in a defensive turnaround. But, not necessarily due to his on-field production, but rather what he's impacting off the field so far.
Dexter Lawrence might spark DEF turnaround not just on the field, but off it too
"What we learned this offseason was that he would also be a powerful force in the middle of their locker room," Dehner Jr. writes. "His ability to instantly arrive and take on alpha status for a defense in desperate need of leadership went a long way to the growing belief the Bengals will have a true revitalization on that side of the ball."
Cincinnati badly needs its defense to turn things around in 2026, as it needs to avoid further wasting the best years of Joe Burrow's career.
Fortunately, things appear to be headed in the right direction, with the Lawrence addition a big reason why, both figuratively and literally.
Not only will the interior defensive lineman be a huge presence for the front of the Bengals' defensive line, but he is also a huge presence off the field for Cincinnati.
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Trey Hendrickson was the big-name defensive leader for a few years, but that clearly wasn't working the last couple of seasons, with the Bengals defense one of the worst in the league.
But now, with Lawrence leading the defense, alongside new additions like Bryan Cook, Cashius Howell, Boye Mafe, and Jonathan Allen, this defense is trending in the right direction.
With Lawrence buying into the team, as Dehner notes, "That commitment and presence have made a big impression on the rest of the organization."
Lawrence is making a huge impact off the field before the season starts and is already helping to improve a unit that desperately needs to improve for the 2026 season.
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