Major looming decisions are keeping Cincinnati's draft strategy in flux, but here are some positions they'll likely be looking to address.

ESPN’s Aaron Schatz outlined “bold” predictions for the offseason and said the Bengals need to trade Hendrickson away: The Bengals need to rebuild this defense with not just one great edge rusher, and they need a fresh start with new defensive coordinator Al Golden.

Former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden has been named the Broyles Award winner as the nation's top assistant coach. Golden helped Notre Dame reach the national championship game last month before he was hired as the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive coordinator.

The Bengals already moved on from their previous defensive coordinator in favor of Al Golden, who was stellar with Notre Dame this past season. However, Burrow has been applying pressure on the club to retain their core players.

The Cincinnati Bengals defense could look much different in 2025. With new defensive coordinator Al Golden inbound, one of the team’s most obvious cut candidates — Germaine Pratt — has already requested a trade.

New Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden is the latest Broyles Award winner in college football and he gave an extensive eight-plus minute speech to accept the honor following a stellar year from his Notre Dame defense.

Golden helped Notre Dame reach the national championship game last month before he was hired as the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive coordinator.

Wide receiver Tee Higgins is a top priority for the Cincinnati Bengals entering the offseason. Perhaps Priority No. 1. Fixing the defense is 1B. That’s the task facing Duke Tobin and new defensive coordinator Al Golden.

Cincinnati Bengals Plan to Tag Tee Higgins, Hopeful About Long-Term ContractCINCINNATI – Nothing that happened around the NFL in 2024 or 2023 will have any bearing on how quickly Al Goden can be successful in replacing Lou Anarumo as the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator.

ESPN contributor Aaron Schatz thinks the Bengals should trade Trey Hendrickson to build up their defense instead of extending him this offseason. The 2024 NFL sack leader is rushing the passer as well as anyone in the NFL right now.

Now that Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt has requested a trade, the conversation shifts to where he might end up. At this point, there’s no if about the situation — Pratt is a $7.9 million cap hit in 2025 and an obvious cut candidate after his struggles last year and the defense getting a new coordinator with Al Golden.

Golden was the DC for Notre Dame starting in the 2023 season before most recently becoming the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Broyles Award was established