​There was a time when outsiders could scratch off anyone in free agency who was over 30 from the Cincinnati Bengals’ list. Times have changed, clearly. The Bengals used to shy away from free agents or trade targets around the age of 30 and, in most cases, hesitated to give contract extensions to players nearing or just past that threshold. But part of the plan to go all-in this offseason was to throw those rules out the window whenever possible. They did so by making major investments through both trades and contracts with Dexter Lawrence (28) and by adding Jonathan Allen (31) in free agency.
A big part of this shift relates to the defensive tackle position itself. As Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic recently explained, half of the 34 players with more than a decade in the NFL and more than 400 snaps last year were defensive tackles. Think of players such as Cameron Heyward, Calais Campbell, DJ Reader—names that illustrate a broader pattern. There’s more than one reason for the Bengals’ renewed willingness to pursue veterans at this spot.
Of course, some of the appeal is about the players themselves. The Bengals trust—and surely vetted extensively—the ability of Lawrence and Allen to continue pursuing a championship with the same energy and effectiveness. “You don’t lose strength,” Allen told Dehner. “That’s the last thing to go. That’s something I’m still able to rely on. And if anything, I feel stronger than ever.” Lawrence echoed the sentiment, stressing that longevity at his position requires maturity: “A lot of guys want to be like somebody else, but you have to really know who you are as a player before you can try to emulate anything else. And it takes time for maturity.”
Other factors also contribute, such as advances in training practices that begin in elementary school and continue through a player’s career as the sport evolves. Yet the reality remains that positions like cornerback still often steer clear of 30-plus players, while the defensive tackle market historically treats age differently. The data supports this distinction, and the Bengals appear ready to lean into it.
The club hopes this broader approach will translate into a stronger defense in 2026 with Lawrence and Allen leading the way. If all goes as planned, the Bengals will continue this more flexible stance—carefully evaluating 30-plus free agents and trade targets at appropriate positions—rather than adhering to an age limit that once defined their strategy.
This shift toward embracing veteran impact in key roles marks a notable departure from old habits and signals a more aggressive, results-oriented mindset for Cincinnati. It’s a move that could redefine how the team builds around its frontline trench players and, potentially, how it competes for championships in the years ahead.