Al Golden on the Bengals’ linebackers: “Love them”

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Jun 16, 2026; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Barrett Carter (49) gestures with linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. (44) during minicamp at Kettering Health Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Last year was a terrible one for the defense of the Cincinnati Bengals, and the linebacker group was the weak link of that weak unit.

It seemed obvious that major upheaval was needed, yet the Bengals’ front office did very little.

Well, it may just turn out that they were right about Cincinnati’s young linebackers, Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter.

Those two have made a number of big plays so far in training camp.

Here’s a clip of Knight quickly finding his way through the line to get in position to make a tackle for loss.

Demetrius Knight Jr coming downhill, knifing through the OL and potentially making this TFL.

Vid from @BengalScoutJoelpic.twitter.com/I4v9IVoFfP

— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) July 30, 2026

And here’s Carter making the kind of play in the passing game that was so desperately missing last year, preventing a big gain with a heads-up play.

This is actually a really nice play from Barrett Carter coming from coverage and closing QUICKLY on the screen pass. pic.twitter.com/1xv4g9Z7uS

— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) July 30, 2026

So now defensive coordinator Al Golden gets to take a bit of a victory lap, as he has insisted that the young linebackers just need time.

“You guys know how I feel about them — love them,” Golden said, according to Charlie Clifford. “I stood on the table for them.”

Al Golden on the linebackers: “You guys know how I feel about them — love them. I stood on the table for them.”

— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) August 4, 2026

It’s early, but Bengals fans can only hope that he’s right on this one.

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