Cincinnati’s defense needs to make huge strides if the team wants to contend in 2019. The linebacker group was the main weakness last year. It was constantly hindered by injuries and just flat out bad play.
The Bengals are no doubt counting on Preston Brown to stay healthy this year. Brown came aboard last year in free agency and then opted to sign a long term deal to stay put this offseason. Prior to missing nine games last year, he had never missed a regular season game or recorded less than 109 total tackles in a season. No matter what the rest of the linebacker group looks like come September, a healthy Brown is key to stabilizing it.