Between injuries and some severe underperformances, the Cincinnati Bengals defense has been a major hindrance during the 2024 season.
With Joe Burrow playing at an MVP level, the Bengals should not be 4-8 and staring down the barrel of a lost season as the home stretch of the campaign arrives. However, that's where we're at with this Cincinnati team, which has lost four of its last five games.
Improving the defensive side of the ball will be a major point of emphasis for general manager Duke Tobin, and there may be a breakout star available in free agency this offseason.
Though it remains to be seen what kind of contract he will command, Philadelphia Eagles breakout star Zach Baun was predicted to be a target for the Bengals in 2025, per Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report.
"Zack Baun is experiencing an incredible career turnaround with the Philadelphia Eagles, so it would be kind of surprising to see him leave Philly," Ballentine wrote. "Then again, the Eagles haven't always valued the linebacker position, so it isn't impossible. If he does wind up hitting the open market, the Bengals should be looking into him.
"Baun has been an elite run-stuffer for the Eagles this season. His ability to get downhill and erase running lanes is exactly what the Bengals could use to fix their faulty run defense right now."
The Bengals are projected to have roughly $65.6 million in salary-cap space next offseason, which ranks as the eighth-most in the NFL, so they should have enough to get a deal done if there's interest.
