The Cincinnati Bengals face a challenging 2025 season following significant defensive losses, including key players like Sam Hubbard and Germaine Pratt. With a shift towards a youth movement under new defensive coordinator Al Golden, former NFL player Chris Canty expressed skepticism about the team's ability to improve defensively. He highlighted that these departures were strategic, aimed at evolving the squad into a more agile unit. The concern lies in the potential regression as younger players adapt to the new system while trying to support star quarterback Joe Burrow.

Despite these challenges, the Bengals have made calculated moves, including signing T.J. Slaton and relying on second-year players to fill gaps. The transition could either be a misstep or a calculated risk that pays off in the future, depending on how well the team meshes under Golden's leadership. With Burrow's future on the line, Cincinnati's ability to adapt and innovate defensively will be pivotal for their success.

The Green Bay Packers enter the 2025 NFL season with 18 players hitting free agency, including notable unrestricted free agents such as center Josh Myers, cornerback Eric Stokes, and defensive tackle T.J. Slaton. Slaton's departure is particularly impactful; he was a key player, leading all interior defensive linemen with a 45.5% run-stop win rate last season and playing a significant role in their defensive scheme. His performance drew significant attention, with ESPN's Bill Barnwell ranking him among the top two-down defensive tackles in the league.

In the 2024 season, Slaton's ability to disrupt the opposing offense was highlighted by a crucial fourth-and-goal play against the Miami Dolphins, where he pressured quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, contributing to a drive-ending sack. Losing Slaton means the Packers must find a way to fill the void left by one of their most effective run defenders as they look to improve their defensive performance in the upcoming season.

The Green Bay Packers are expected to miss out on compensatory picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. This follows the signing of guard Aaron Banks and cornerback Nate Hobbs, both of whom qualify under the free agency rules that negate compensatory picks. The Packers also lost players like defensive tackle T.J. Slaton and cornerback Eric Stokes, but these losses will not help their chances of receiving compensatory selections for the next draft.

Nick Korte from Over the Cap has projected that the Packers will not add to their draft capital through this method, indicating a need for strategic planning in their roster management moving forward.

T.J. Slaton's arrival at the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason went largely unnoticed, but he's stepping up as a leader in a defense undergoing significant changes. Originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers, Slaton has begun to make a name for himself with the Bengals, aiming to guide younger teammates amidst the team's rebuilding phase. His emphasis on communication and teamwork is resonating with the locker room as he seeks to instill a winning mentality.