Jordan Battle shares strong belief in Bengals defensive turnaround
Sep 29, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cincinnati Bengals safety Jordan Battle (27) warms up before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Sep 29, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Cincinnati Bengals safety Jordan Battle (27) warms up before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
After the Cincinnati Bengals ranked 31st in total yards allowed per game in the 2025 season, safety Jordan Battle is optimistic about the team's defense in the upcoming season.
Speaking with Laurel Pfahler of the Dayton Daily News, Battle explained why he believes the new look of the defense could make life easier for everyone on the field.
“It’s been a great spring, getting new guys integrated and learning each other’s tendencies,” Battle said on June 22. “Dex (Dexter Lawrence) is going to take up a lot of attention, so that will help us in the back end."
The optimism starts with the addition Cincinnati made across the defensive front and secondary. Players like Bryan Cook, Boye Mafe, and Dexter Lawrence have brought both experience and production to a defense looking to take a step forward.
Reinforcing the frontline was an absolute necessity for general manager Duke Tobin after Cincinnati's pass rush sputtered in 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (29) dances with Cincinnati Bengals safety Jordan Battle (27) after making a stop on third down in the first quarter of the NFL football game between Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Nov. 2, 2025.
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (29) dances with Cincinnati Bengals safety Jordan Battle (27) after making a stop on third down in the first quarter of the NFL football game between Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Nov. 2, 2025.
In the interview, Battle also pointed to the value of adding players who understand what it takes to win at the highest level.
“Obviously, we’ve got a few guys who have been in winning cultures: Boye Mafe, B-Cook. For me, I can already see a difference those guys are going to make. It makes my job easier,” Battle added.
However, Battle isn't the only Bengal expressing confidence in the team's direction.
Quarterback Joe Burrow has also spoken about the energy around the team and has compared the roster's mindset to a team that won a national championship during his college career.
Burrow’s comparison raises expectations for Bengals
Speaking after Bengals minicamp, the Cincinnati QB compared the current Bengals roster to that of the LSU team that won the national championship during his unforgettable 2019 season.
Burrow led one of the most productive offenses college football has ever seen while playing alongside future NFL stars such as Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson.
“You go back and watch what I said before the 2019 season at LSU, I feel very similarly about this team,” Burrow said June 17 as reported by Stripe Hype. “I'm so excited to get started and get moving. I wish we would ramp this right into training camp.”
Training camp is still weeks away, but Burrow's comments offered a glimpse into how confident the Bengals quarterback feels about the group entering the 2026 season.
Do you think the Bengals' defense will improve in 2026? Let us know in the comments!
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Written by
Debanjali Rakshit
Edited by
Zaid Quraishi