Bengals Linked to Top Veteran Free Agent Safety Julian Blackmon

After missing out on the postseason last year, the Cincinnati Bengals have made changes on defense.

After missing out on the postseason last year, the Cincinnati Bengals have made changes on defense.

Out is former defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo, replaced by former Notre Dame Fighting Irish DC Al Golden. Golden served as the Bengals' linebackers coach from 2020-21, so he has some familiarity.

Part of the issue with last season's 9-8 mark was the play of the safeties. Along with the rest of the defense, Geno Stone and Jordan Battle struggled, and Cincinnati ignored the safety position in this year's NFL Draft.

That leads many to think they'll search for answers in free agency, leading Gilberto Manzano of SI to predict they'll make a run for Julian Blackmon.

"The Bengals need all the help they can get after their defense endured a dreadful 2024 season. Blackmon can improve the Bengals’ secondary after establishing himself as a quality playmaker in five seasons with the Indianapolis Colts," Manzano said. "Blackmon is coming off a down season and probably didn’t fit the scheme of new Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, the former Bengals’ defensive play-caller. Perhaps new Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden sees Blackmon as a team fit." 

Blackmon registered 300 total tackles with 225 solo and 13 for loss with three QB hits, 1.5 sacks and 10 interceptions with one pick-6 across 66 career games over five seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.

It's the interception number that's most appealing to the Bengals.

Golden will run a zone scheme in Cincinnati and Manzano thinks Blackmon would fit right in with it. 

As Blackmon enters his sixth NFL season, he's projected by Spotrac to make $8 million per year on his next deal, but the longer the offseason goes, he could conceivably take less. It would be a low-risk, high-reward deal for the Bengals.