The Cincinnati Bengals don’t have many glaring holes on their roster offensively, but if there’s one area that could use serious reinforcement, it’s the defensive line. Cincinnati has made it clear they want to keep their Super Bowl window wide open around Joe Burrow, and adding a disruptive interior defender could go a long way toward doing exactly that. Subscribe to our Newsletter by using the popup or the form below!
A Perfect Fit for Cincinnati’s Defensive Scheme
Franklin-Myers has built his reputation as one of the NFL’s most reliable hybrid defensive linemen. At 6-foot-4 and around 290 pounds, he’s capable of lining up both inside and outside, which is exactly the type of versatility Cincinnati values in its front seven.
The Bengals defense thrives when it can move players around and create confusion for opposing offensive lines. Franklin-Myers excels at that style of play, and it’s a shame they didn’t have him around when Trey Hendrickson was under contract.
He can collapse the pocket from the interior on passing downs while still holding the edge against the run when lined up outside. That flexibility would allow Golden to rotate him alongside players like B.J. Hill, Sheldon, & Myles Murphy without sacrificing gap integrity or pass rush.
In other words, he’s the kind of chess piece defensive coordinators love.
None of this matters, because Jordan Schultz reports at 3:15pm 3/9/26 that he agreed to terms with the Tennessee Titans for $42M guaranteed.
Interior Pressure the Bengals Could Use
One of the most underrated ways to disrupt modern NFL offenses is interior pressure, especially in the AFC. Edge rushers get most of the attention, but quarterbacks hate pressure up the middle.
Franklin-Myers consistently generates that kind of disruption.
Over the past few seasons, he’s quietly produced strong pressure numbers while also holding his own in the run game. He doesn’t need 12 sacks to impact a game — his ability to collapse the pocket forces quarterbacks to move off their spot, which often leads to mistakes.
Durable and Consistent
Another reason Franklin-Myers makes sense for Cincinnati is durability.
He’s been one of the more dependable defensive linemen in the league when it comes to availability. For a team with championship aspirations, reliability matters just as much as talent.
Cincinnati’s defensive front has dealt with injuries at times in recent seasons, not to mention its youth. Adding a player who consistently shows up every week would bring valuable stability to the rotation.
Strong Links To Cincinnati
As of now, there are reports suggesting the Bengals are highly interested in JFM. There is nothing final, but considering the state of the Cincinnati Bengals defensive line, this is extremely welcoming news.
Trey Hendrickson is gone. Joseph Ossai signed with the Jets. The Cincinnati Bengal front is nothing short of young & disastrous at the moment. JFM would be an immediate upgrade in all facets of the game. Let’s hope he comes on down!
