Jacksonville Jaguars standout Devin Lloyd, the 27th pick in 2022, is the fifth-best projected free agent in 2026 by Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, who lists the Bengals as the top fit:

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) stiff-arms Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (29) on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 27-18. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Cincinnati Bengals are historically bad defensively despite the fact that their offense continues to put up big-time numbers with Joe Flacco, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins leading the way, but one former NFL head coach cannot help but obliterate Zac Taylor’s team after their recent peformances.

The Bengals have made a slew of draft mistakes that have contributed to them having the worst defense in the NFL in 2025.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nfl/bengals/onsi as Cincinnati Bengals Defense is One of Worst Ever, and That's Not Hyperbole; the Numbers are Damning. CINCINNATI – To say the Cincinnati Bengals have one of the worst defenses in NFL history is no longer hyperbole or anecdotally reactionary in the wake of another terrible loss.

Cincinnati’s freefall continued on Sunday. They won their first two games of the season, but lost superstar quarterback Joe Burrow after Week 2. Since then, the Bengals have won just once. They are now 3-6 and have fallen to third in the AFC North. Currently, only the 2-6 Cleveland Browns are below Cincinnati in the division.

According to a report referencing Sport Radar stats (through Week 9 of the 2025 season), the Bengals have three players ranked in the top 3 in missed tackles in the NFL: Jordan Battle (15 missed tackles) Demetrius Knight Jr. (14 missed tackles), Geno Stone (13 missed tackles)

Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor is sticking with his defensive coaching staff despite the team having the worst defense in the NFL.