3 reasons why the Bengals defense will be even better in 2022

Reinforcements

Who will be joining this young Bengal defense as it tries to take the next steps toward being a top 10 unit?

Obviously, we don’t know who they will pick, but it’s assumed help in the secondary and on the defensive line will be added via the draft.

Besides re-signing Apple, Josh Tupou, Tre Flowers, and B.J. Hill, Cincinnati has an intriguing young player waiting in the wings to get his shot in 2022.

Third-round defensive end Joseph Ossai missed the entire 2021 season with a torn meniscus in his shoulder, but in the one preseason game he played, on only 22 snaps he sacked Tom Brady once and had five pressures.

Ossai certainly looked the part of a stud pass rusher, and the Bengals didn’t bring any free agents in to help bolster the rush, so the assumption is Ossai will be brought into the rotation this season.

The prospect of a three-headed monster of Hendrickson, Hubbard, and Ossai should concern AFC North quarterbacks moving into 2022.