Why sacks alone don’t define Dexter Lawrence’s impact on Bengals defense

The Cincinnati Bengals will be under immense pressure during the 2026 season. Cincinnati went all in to surround QB Joe Burrow with talent this offseason, making several big additions on defense. One Bengals defender could make a difference by being a natural leader in the middle of the defensive line.

Bengals nose tackle Dexter Lawrence explained that he has a chip on his shoulder headed into the fall. Lawrence saw his sack production plummet in 2025 and wants to turn that around in 2026.

“I’m more managing it now, because you can’t really beat up on other teams. So during the season you just let it go and you flow,” Lawrence said on June 19th, per Joe Reedy of the Associated Press. “I know how I approach this game and my impact to the game, even when it doesn’t show up on the sack numbers.”

Lawrence only had a half sack in 2025 after logging nine sacks in 2024. He is hopeful that the addition of other players, like edge rusher Boye Mafe, will free him up to make a bigger impact this fall.

That faith already goes both ways. Mafe expressed confidence in Lawrence and explained that he makes everyone else’s job easier on defense.

“We know the caliber of player he is. Having him on our side, it makes it so much easier. It makes everyone’s job around us easier. He’s a calming presence because we have him on our side,” Mafe said of Lawrence.

The Bengals allowed 380.9 yards (31st) and  28.9 points (30th) per game during the 2025 season. If Cincinnati can get those numbers back to average, it would be a vast improvement.

Hopefully Cincinnati’s new-look defense can pull their weight during a crucial 2026 campaign later this fall.

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