The Bengals signed free agent T.J. Slaton Jr. to help shore up the run defense for 2025 and beyond. Here are five facts to know about the new Bengals defensive tackle.
1. Shutting Down The Run
Run defense has been Slaton's calling card in the pros: Slaton ranked first among defensive tackles in run stop win rate in 2024, per ESPN.
2. Iron Man
Slaton has never missed a game in his four seasons since being drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has 36 career starts under his belt, including starting the last 34 games of his career.
3. Coaching Connection
Slaton played under new Bengals DL coach and run-game coordinator Jerry Montgomery from 2021-2023 when they were both in Green Bay. Slaton said Montgomery helped him adapt to the league and learn what it takes to stick around at the NFL level.
4. Bengals Ties
Slaton's connection with the Bengals don't stop at Montgomery. The defensive tackle played college ball at the University of Florida with K Evan McPherson and CB Marco Wilson, and he was high school teammate with Wilson at American Heritage in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
5. Nicknames
Born Tedarrell, T.J. Slaton was gifted the nickname "Truck" by Packers linebacker D'Vondre Campbell. Campbell told Slaton one day that teams would have to 'back up the brinks truck' if Slaton continued his growth and success.
