Mike Hodges Describes 'Brand' of Play he Wants to Instill in Bengals' Linebackers

 New Bengals linebackers coach Mike Hodges caught up with Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com and laid out the three key parts of the linebacker "brand" he wants to portray each week of the season.

Hodges most recently coached linebackers with the New Orleans Saints from 2020-24.

"I hope there's a brand you see when we turn on the tape," Hodges said to Hobson. "There are three things they're going to see. Execution, violence, and energy. Those three things, along with detail, are incredibly important."

The Bengals had up-and-down linebacker play last season, but Logan Wilson and the rest of the crew could easily get back to their 2022 heights with Hodges's tutelage.

Cincinnati has a new defensive hierarchy as a semi-fresh era starts at Paycor Stadium.

"I'm excited about being under the leadership of Zac and Al Golden," Hodges told Hobson. "I've been in the same system for eight years and I know it really well. I'm excited to learn something new, not only philosophically from top to bottom, but also schematically."