The Cincinnati Bengals have walked out of the 2026 NFL Draft with a roster that looks ready to run. But the one spot everyone keeps circling back to is the "linebacker". No notable investment has been made, and the questions have followed, but not for the Director.

After two LB picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, this year the Bengals didn't select a single linebacker. Amidst the post-draft buzz and the noise lingering over the team's defensive interior, Duke Tobin stepped in to deliver a clear message.

“I am not down on our linebackers,” Tobin said, addressing questions about the unit following the draft. “I think that their play individually will improve and collectively will improve by what we’ve done and the experience that they’ve gained.”

Speaking on Tuesday, during his post-draft press conference at the team facility, he made it clear the concern outside doesn’t match the belief inside the building.

“If there are others that we think can add to the group, we’ll add to the group," Tobin also said, leaving the door open for new additions. "We’re not done roster building… there’s an entire offseason… and I feel very good about our roster as it sits right now.”

Instead of forcing a move, Cincinnati has leaned into a different approach. As per AtoZSports, Tobin is betting that if the front and back ends are airtight, it’ll elevate the play of last year's drafted backers Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter.

The idea isn’t to replace them but to put them in a better position to produce.

That will be the plan heading into the second half of the offseason. The Bengals still have a couple of spots open on the roster, including training camp, the preseason, and roster cuts, where a linebacker addition could happen if the situation calls for it.

What the Bengals’ Linebacker Room Looks Like Right Now?

The Cincinnati Bengals had entered the offseason program with a seven-man linebacker unit, with an eighth option in hybrid EDGE/LB Antwaun Powell-Ryland listed on the roster.

Barrett Carter is expected to handle MIKE duties, with Demetrius Knight Jr. at WILL. Veterans like Oren Burks, Shaka Heyward, and Joe Giles-Harris could provide depth, as per Pro Football Reference.

Last year, Barrett Carter stacked 53 solo tackles with four breakups and a pick, while Demetrius Knight Jr. brought the heat with three sacks and 58 solos. Year one set the tone for both rookies. Now, year two will show if it was just a start or something bigger.

Behind them, the Bengals have added developmental depth with Eric Gentry and Jack Dingle, though neither profiles as an immediate-impact starter.

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Written by

Debanjali Rakshit

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote