The Cincinnati Bengals have officially hired Al Golden as their new defensive coordinator, following his recent tenure as the defensive coach for Notre Dame. Golden is believed to be the preferred candidate to take over the role after Lou Anarumo's departure. The Bengals' defense has faced challenges and will need immediate improvement as they head into the 2025 season. A key focus will be maximizing the potential of young talents like Dax Hill, Myles Murphy, and Cam Taylor-Britt, as the team aims to develop contributors rather than superstars.

Additionally, ensuring alignment between Golden and the Bengals' front office is crucial, especially after high draft investments in Hill, Murphy, and Jordan Battle. The Bengals must strategically evaluate their draft picks and free agency to improve the defense's overall performance. Golden’s experience coaching against some of the best college talent should provide him a unique edge in identifying players suitable for the Bengals’ defensive scheme.