That strategy was rewarded as the veterans meshed with the young returning core on the Bengals defense and the team made it to the Super Bowl. The Bengals also traded for veteran defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and signed veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. That list includes the 2022 Bengals, and Cook made the game-changing play to beat Cincinnati in the 2022 AFC championship game. “I see a high level of confidence because he’s he’s firm believer in the work that he’s put in and the position he’s put himself in.” With a veteran core that knows what it takes to win big as well as young talent hitting its prime, expectations are climbing for the Bengals defense.