On the Cincinnati Bengals first play of the preseason, the defense went off script from the formation it had used for most of training camp and most of the 2020 season.
The Bengals opened the preseason opener with three defensive tackles on the field to bolster the run defense. Later in the series for the first team defense, defensive end Cam Sample lined up as an interior pass rusher. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson lined up as an off-ball linebacker. Safety Vonn Bell blitzed the quarterback.
The Bengals prioritized adding depth and versatility on the defensive line during the offseason.