The Cincinnati Bengals had to put in a total team effort to win the Week 7 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. And they intercepted Aaron Rodgers twice. Yet, please don’t mistake it for a good show; the defense was all over the place. And defensive coordinator Al Golden does not want to waste time in turning things around with immediate changes.

“The last two weeks, we just have not tackled as well in space as we did prior to that…there’s just too many right now and it’s causing too many explosive plays,” Golden said while admitting the gaps in defense. “There’s no excuses. It starts with me.” So, they now need to make a plan for the defense.

Linebacker Demetrius Knight missed 7 tackles in the last two games, 3 vs the Green Bay Packers and 4 vs the Steelers. That’s about 44% missed tackles for him in 2 weeks. In Week 7, the Bengals had 15 missed tackles and gave up 115 yards. Overall, they have missed the most tackles (68) among 32 teams. The second-placed NY Jets have missed 54. But the issues aren’t limited to the tackles only.

Defensive EPA/play, points allowed per drive, defensive success rate, percentage of drives allowing a touchdown, and points per game – these are the 4 areas that are hurting them. And Al Golden’s 2025 team ranks last in the franchise’s history since 2000.

Golden’s defense has also been poor at stopping rivals from scoring. In 7 games, they have allowed 27 or more points in 6 of them. So, that has put extra pressure on the offense, which is already struggling with Joe Burrow‘s absence. The only hope they have is that Trey Hendrickson returns from his hip injury soon.

As the defensive captain, he might help the defense regroup and perform as a unit.

Al Golden’s DE looking to return quickly

As the season moves deep into the playoff contention games, the trade rumors are subsiding. Earlier this season, the Bengals’ hesitation hit the defensive preparation in signing a contract extension with their premier DE. Both sides disagreed on the money, and Hendrickson showed his unhappiness by reporting to the camp but holding out on drills. After rounds of negotiations, the Bengals reworked their contract and increased Trey’s salary from $14 million to $30 million.

On October 17, NFL insider Ian Rapoport claimed that the franchise will not trade him while struggling to get wins. “It would be very un-Bengals like to trade a really good player during the season and essentially say we’re going to give up on the season. I’d be surprised if it happened,” he said. The interest hasn’t toned down. The Eagles and 49ers want Trey in their defensive unit.

However, there’s the money factor as well. Hendrickson will not come cheap. That’s what Rapoport hinted while adding, “It’s going to be very expensive even if it does happen.”

The spike in defensive woes can be directly attributed to the hip injury Hendrickson sustained against the Packers. He did not play the 2nd half and also missed the Week 7 game. Now, the injury report still lists him as questionable for the Week 8 game against the New York Jets. But there’s optimism that he will return by that time.

Al Golden’s DE has already logged 15 tackles (10 solo), 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 defended pass. With 57 sacks in the last 4 seasons, he is their top defensive player. So, his presence on the gridiron matters.