Cincinnati Bengals’ $90 Million All-Pro Tabbed as Key to Defensive Turnaround

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The Cincinnati Bengals aimed for their defense to no longer be the part of the roster holding back a dangerous NFL offense. Lawrence Has Assignment After Bengals’ Defensive CollapseThe numbers Sullivan cited show why Cincinnati made such an aggressive move for Lawrence. The Bengals allowed 28.9 points per game in 2025, ranking 30th in the NFL. They were 31st in yards allowed at 380.9 per game and last in yards allowed per play at 6.2. Cincinnati surrendered a league-worst 147.1 rushing yards per game and allowed 5.2 yards per carry, the second-highest mark in the league.