Pat McAfee Gives Bengals Props As Major Defensive Move Pays Off
Feb 6, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Pat McAfee on the Pat McAfee Show set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Feb 6, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Pat McAfee on the Pat McAfee Show set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Bengals entered the 2026 season with one major goal: improve their defense. Cincinnati made several moves during the offseason, but trading for Dexter Lawrence stood out as perhaps the biggest addition. Two weeks into the season, that decision is already paying off.
Lawrence has strengthened the defensive line while bringing leadership to a group that needed it. Cincinnati's defense has looked much better through its opening two games, and the improvement has not gone unnoticed around the NFL.
Pat McAfee recently highlighted Lawrence's impact on his show.
“They got Sexy Dexie as the highest-rated interior lineman in the entire NFL. Remember, the New York Giants moved on from Sexy Dexie and, in this new Harbaugh era, sent him to Cincinnati, and as soon as he gets there, he's allegedly a leader in the locker room. Now, immediately, the defense is much better than it was last year, especially at the line of scrimmage. It's crazy how one big influential piece can change the entire tone and culture of a defense.”
That is exactly what Cincinnati wanted from Lawrence. The Bengals needed their defense to become tougher and more disruptive, and the early results suggest the overhaul is working. Lawrence has quickly become central to that transformation.
Bengals Added Plenty of Defensive Firepower This Offseason
Lawrence was not the only major addition. Cincinnati also brought in Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook, giving the defense more experience and playmaking ability.
Those additions have helped create a deeper unit around Lawrence. The Bengals clearly wanted to build a defense capable of carrying more responsibility this season.
However, the offense remains the bigger question. Joe Burrow and the Bengals have done enough to win, but they have not consistently reached the elite level many expected.
For now, Cincinnati will need to rely on its revamped defense while the offense finds another gear. If Burrow and company can elevate their play, the Bengals could become far more balanced.
Written by
Joseph Nithin