Cincinnati Bengals' Latest Rumored Target Reveals Interesting Plans at Linebacker

· Yahoo Sports

The latest round of Bobby Wagner speculation says plenty about the Cincinnati Bengals' remaining roster questions. It also says something about how the organization views the position heading into training camp.

Analysts have linked the future Hall of Fame linebacker to Cincinnati. CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo recently identified the Bengals as Wagner's best fit, while USA Today's Chris Roling argued the veteran remains the biggest name still available in free agency.

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On paper, the connection is easy to understand. The Bengals spent the offseason reshaping their defense, adding veterans such as Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook. At linebacker, however, the approach has been noticeably different. Cincinnati has placed its confidence in young players Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter rather than adding an established starter.

That doesn't necessarily remove Wagner from the equation.

He averaged 9.5 tackles per game, the sixth-highest mark in the league and enough to earn him the No. 81 spot on this year's NFL Top 100. For a defense relying on two inexperienced linebackers, that type of production is only part of the appeal. Wagner's experience is equally valuable after Cincinnati struggled to establish consistent depth at the position a year ago.

One possible roadblock for this deal to get done for Cincinnati could be the financial side. Wagner played last season on a one-year, $9 million contract with the Washington Commanders, and another productive year could see the veteran commanding at least $10 million again if he signs before Week 1.

Paying that kind of money doesn't align with a team hoping to develop two young starters. It also becomes more difficult when Cincinnati has extensions for its own players looming. As Sheeran noted, preserving cap flexibility for players already on the roster could outweigh the value of making another outside addition.

The timing of these rumors may be most revealing. Training camp is only weeks away, yet the Bengals haven't shown any indication that they're backing away from Knight and Carter. If anything, their offseason suggests they're committed to seeing both players handle meaningful roles before reconsidering the position.

However, if the linebacker room struggles during camp or the preseason, circumstances could change quickly. It's easy to draw similarities to Cincinnati's late addition of Dalton Risner last year, when an unexpected roster need led the Bengals back into the veteran market before the regular season.

For now, the Wagner rumors appear to reflect possibility more than momentum. The fit still makes sense. Whether the Bengals reach the point where they believe they actually need him is the question that training camp may ultimately answer.

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