Bengals Defensive Woes Persist as Season Nears

The Cincinnati Bengals' defense remains a concern ahead of the 2025 NFL season, as the team continues to allocate more resources to offense despite defensive struggles. Edge rushers Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart have ended their holdouts, but doubts persist about the defense's overall effectiveness and limited investment. Safety Jordan Battle highlights the importance of leadership and communication improvements in the secondary, which could be pivotal for the team's playoff ambitions. Across the league, the San Francisco 49ers have signed veteran cornerback Eli Apple to bolster their injury-hit secondary. The Arizona Cardinals are counting on rookie linebacker Jordan Burch to help revitalize their defense. NFL teams are broadly depending on both new rookies and veteran additions to fill key roles for the upcoming season.