Bengals urged to add 'at least' 3 pass rushers to field a respectable defense

This offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals have a very clear plan: improve the defense. While the safety and cornerback room could use some help, and the linebackers and interior defensive line could use improvement, there's a different position in dire need of help.

That unit is the pass rusher group. Trey Hendrickson is expected to leave the team this offseason, while Myles Murphy and Shemar Stewart are not nearly enough to field an NFL-level pass rusher unit.

As Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic urges, the Bengals need to add not one, not two, but at least three pass rushers this offseason, whether it's through free agency or the draft, to field a respectable defense in 2026.

Bengals urged to add 3 pass rushers to make respectable defense

"The need multiple pass rushers across the line," Dehner Jr. writes. "... this defense needs at least three starter-level rushers through free agency and the draft if it has any chance to rise to respectability."

Adding a pass rusher this offseason is, by far, the biggest priority for the Bengals. While safety help is a must as well, without a good pass rush, the Bengals defense won't be able to contend for the top spot in the AFC North.

Not only that, but the Bengals' defense not being able to get home with a pass rush will make it so the Bengals, in what could be the final seasons with Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins all together, have very little chance at winning the Super Bowl.

More: Bengals get good news amid $50 million contract projection for Trey Hendrickson

Hendrickson is likely gone, and B.J. Hill is not nearly as good as he once was. Recent draft picks in Stewart and Murphy, while they've shown flashes at times, cannot be trusted as full-time starters.

This offseason, in both the draft and free agency, the Bengals need to add pass rushers. Dehner Jr. is urging the Bengals to take three such players, which would be a significant investment into one position this offseason.

But, with how much the position has struggled for the Bengals, taking as many dart throws as possible to land a starter is a good idea.

Bengals fans should expect, and hope, that the front office goes out and acquires multiple pass rushers to rebuild a defense that is far from being competent enough to be serious playoff contenders.

More Bengals news:

• Bengals urged to make NFL Draft decision they haven't made in 15 years
• Bengals urged to overhaul 'horrific' position group this offseason
• We now know if Joe Burrow is happy with Bengals
• Bengals get great news on possible Chase Brown contract extension
• Bengals young breakout CB D.J. Turner gets $41 million contract projection
• Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins make Bengals Pro Bowl history for first time since 2007