Joe Burrow Hypes Bengals' Dexter Lawrence Trade, Defensive Upgrades After 2026 NFL Draft

Defense was a significant concern for the Cincinnati Bengals last season, so they responded by trading for defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, signing players such as defensive edge Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook, and drafting multiple pieces on that side of the ball.

Joe Burrow is fired up about it.

"I'm really excited about the moves we made this offseason," the star quarterback told Nick Remsen of Vanity Fair. "We need to get better, so it was exciting to see the initiative from everybody in the organization to realize that we're in this exciting stage. We're in our primes playing great football. 

"Finding guys like Dexter and Bryan Cook and [Jacob] Bayer, to, you know, really solidify that defense so the young guys can also kind of rise up. We're really going to try to achieve what we want to achieve. … This is fun. But soon, it's going to be our job to go out on the field and execute."

Cincinnati's biggest move this offseason was the acquisition of Lawrence for the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. It didn't hesitate following the trade and signed him to an extension that runs through the 2028 campaign.

Lawrence made three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2022 through 2024 and is someone who can solidify the interior of the defense by applying pressure, stuffing the run and creating blitzing lanes for teammates because of the double teams he draws.

That did leave the Bengals without a first-round draft pick this year, although they still made sure to focus on defense by selecting Texas A&M pass-rusher Cashius Howell in the second round and Washington cornerback Tacario Davis in the third.

It was an unsurprising focus, as Cincinnati finished 31st in the league in yards allowed and 30th in points allowed last season. It was 25th in yards allowed and points allowed during the 2024 campaign.

Defensive struggles prevented the Bengals from making the playoffs in 2024 despite Burrow leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns. Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase led the league in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns that same season.

The 2025 campaign was marred by the same issues, although Burrow was limited to just eight games because of injury. Yet even if he did remain healthy, overcoming the defensive woes would have been a daunting task.

The only way Cincinnati is going to be a factor in the AFC picture in 2026 is by taking significant strides on that side of the ball, and it responded accordingly during the offseason.

Burrow approves the moves, and now it will be up to him to remain healthy and continue producing at a high level.