Why Bengals' LB's Barrett Carter, Demetrius Knight Jr. are confident
· Yahoo Sports
The year-over-year growth for Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Barrett Carter is evidenced in his improved quality of life away from the game.
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Thrust into a prominent role in the Bengals' already-struggling defense during the 2025 season, Carter wore the anxieties that came with the nature of his job. Carter rates himself as a smart player, and so do others, but the Bengals' scheme was admittedly difficult for him to learn.
"I vividly remember, after practice I would go home so stressed," Carter said. "Obviously, I knew what my responsibility was on certain plays, but I didn't know it. Like, I didn't have it like the back of my hand like I do now. Thinking about that and thinking about where I am now, it's truly night and day. I'm just trying to keep building on that, keep developing and keep learning.
"You rookie year is your longest year of your life, so coming in, it was a lot. I was drinking from a fire hose every single day. Just learn what I can, learn every single day."
Demetrius Knight Jr., a fellow Bengals rookie linebacker, had many of the same experiences as Carter, and he used the same phrase − "night and day difference" − to compare his current comfort level to his first year in the NFL.
"I know what to expect. I know the playbook," Knight said. "When you get here as a rookie, you're trying to not roll with the punches but you're trying to make sure you're good for that day. Now, I can understand what's going on today, what's going on tomorrow, what we put in last week... Just being at home."
By now, the Bengals' rollercoaster ride at the linebacker position in 2025 is well-documented: Carter and Knight, the team's two freshly-drafted rookies, were thrust into starting roles, and Logan Wilson, a captain at the position, was traded midseason. And with the absence of Wilson, plus increased playing time for the rookies, came the growing pains for Carter and Knight.
All of those moves, and the implementation of two rookies starting in particular, were part of a plan. As of early June and organized team activities, Carter and Knight are big pieces of that ongoing plan, and still viewed as anchors at linebacker. To that end, they're also seen as important parts of a defense that was revamped in the offseason via free agency.
With training camp looming, it won't be long until there's a better assessment of whether the team steered Carter and Knight on good paths for the future, but both players already feel like they're in better positions to contribute in 2026.
Knight finished 2025 with 58 solo tackles, three sacks, a forced fumbled and two interceptions. Carter compiled 53 solo tackles and an interception. As defensive coordinator Al Golden has suggested several times, 2025 might end up looking like fertile ground on which to build and launch their NFL careers, and their respective statistics support that.
Why would Year 2 be better than Year 1 for these two players? Aside from the individual growth they described,
The aforementioned free-agency additions figure to boost the entire unit, Knight contended. That's the nature of building a sound defense.
"The help that you bring to surround Barrett and I, both up front and behind us, only helps elevate out play," Knight said.
It will be weeks before we see Bengals players wearing pads and helmets, and even longer than that until we see them hitting players on other teams. For now, it's fair to remain skeptical of the positive quotes coming out of Paycor Stadium because the words will have to be supported by on-field action soon enough.
The stories of Carter and Knight are relatable and convincing. They were keenly aware of the defensive struggles at-large, as well as their roles in it. But their careers, and the Bengals' 2026 season, don't have to be defined by what transpired a year ago.
"I would not trade that year for the world," Carter said. "I hate how it went and I hate how we left a lot of plays out there and we could have been so much better but I know who us as a group, me individually, me and 'D-Knight,' us as a linebacker core, we're gonna be so much stronger because of it. So strong."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Barrett Carter, Demetrius Knight Jr. are confident for 2026 Bengals