The Bengals’ Surprise Move: A Strategic Impulse or a Shift in Philosophy?
In the 24 hours since the Cincinnati Bengals stunned their fanbase—and the entire NFL—by trading for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and giving him a one-year extension worth $28 million, there has been a lot of discussion about what this move signifies for the franchise. Some have suggested it marks a philosophical change, but that’s not entirely accurate.
This wasn’t a shift in philosophy. It was more of an impulse buy. That doesn’t mean it’s bad, wrong, or something to be scrutinized heavily. In fact, it has the potential to be a watershed moment in franchise history, one that could push the Bengals from Super Bowl hopefuls to legitimate contenders.
However, it’s important to recognize that this move isn’t indicative of a long-term strategic shift. The Bengals shouldn’t get their hopes up that this will become the norm going forward.
Why This Move Matters
The decision to acquire Dexter Lawrence is rooted in the front office and coaching staff’s belief in his abilities. Lawrence is a three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle known for his ability to swallow double teams and free up other players to make plays. He forces opposing coordinators to tailor their strategies specifically to deal with him, which makes him a valuable asset on the field.
If another defensive tackle with similar stats—who had 30.5 career sacks and only missed six games in seven seasons—had become available, the Bengals wouldn’t have traded a draft pick, let alone the No. 10 overall pick. They might not have even made an inquiry.
This kind of move wouldn’t have happened if there was a true philosophical change at play. If the Bengals were truly shifting their approach, we would have seen signs of that earlier in the offseason.
A Missed Opportunity
The Bengals started the offseason with a strong showing by signing edge rusher Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook. However, the aggressive, all-in mindset many fans hoped to see didn’t continue after that.
There were plenty of quality linebackers available in free agency, filling a Costco aisle. Despite this being arguably their biggest position of need, the Bengals passed on every single one of them.
When it came to addressing the interior pass rush—a significant hole in their defense—the team pursued John Franklin-Myers, who had numbers similar to Lawrence (34 sacks and four missed games in seven seasons) and was just one year older. But instead of going all in, they backed out when the price became too high.
While Franklin-Myers isn’t on the same level as Lawrence, the gap between them isn’t huge. In retrospect, the Bengals’ decision to pass on Franklin-Myers looks like a smart move. Franklin-Myers eventually signed a $63 million deal with the Titans, while Lawrence will receive roughly $70 million over three years.
What Makes Lawrence Unique?
Lawrence’s combination of pass-rush and run-stopping skills, along with his intangibles, makes him one of, if not the top, defensive tackles in the game. He’s also a relative bargain, as there are 11 other players at his position making more per year than him.
It’s hard to call this a steal considering the compensation involved—the No. 10 pick in the draft. It’s impossible to call it a philosophy change.
Passing on Franklin-Myers and landing Lawrence wasn’t part of a plan. It was more of a coincidence, how things worked out. And yes, condensed down to this one single signing, it seems like a stark pivot in philosophy.
But again, it’s more about who Lawrence is as a player than who the Bengals are as a franchise.
Celebrate, But Don’t Expect More
Celebrate the move, root for it to work, and buy a Lawrence jersey. Buy tickets. Send the front office its flowers (metaphorically or via a florist, your choice). Do any or all of that.
Just don’t get used to it.
Final Thoughts
The Bengals’ acquisition of Dexter Lawrence is a bold move that could have a significant impact on the team’s performance. However, it’s important to understand that this isn’t a sign of a broader philosophical shift. Instead, it reflects the team’s confidence in Lawrence as a player and the unique value he brings to the defense.
Fans should enjoy this development and hope it leads to success. But they should also recognize that this move is an exception rather than the rule.
