The Cincinnati Bengals started two rookie middle linebackers last season, and the results were not ideal. Still, Barrett Carter has a chance to step up and be a major part of this team’s success. Carter has impressive athleticism and played consistently well in his time at Clemson.
Barrett Carter
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Cap Status
Carter enters the second season of his four-year $5.2 million rookie deal. He carries a $1.25 million cap hit in 2026 and will not be a free agent until 2029.
Background
Carter was the second linebacker selected by the Bengals in 2025. The team took him in Round 4, seeing him as a value pick who they had a Day 2 grade on.
Carter looked better in camp than fellow rookie Demetrius Knight, who went two rounds before him. When veteran Logan Wilson struggled early in the season, head coach Zac Taylor and defensive coordinator Al Golden made the move to replace him with Carter.
Not only did Carter step into the role as the middle linebacker, but he also wore the green dot, meaning that he was the defensive equivalent of the quarterback. He was the only player on the field with a live radio in his helmet, allowing the defensive coordinator to talk to him directly and send in plays.
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From that moment on, Carter was the mike linebacker and rarely left the field. He had his ups and downs and certainly frustrated fans, but by the end of the season, his play was improving.
The Bengals started two rookie linebackers for most of the 2025 season, which is less than ideal from a developmental standpoint. You would like to have a seasoned vet, like a Josh Bynes, out there next to you while you become more confident in your role and catch up to the speed of the NFL game. Not only did Carter not have that, but he was also the one calling out the defenses.
Another negative for these two young linebackers was the poor defensive line play in front of them. It makes it very hard for a linebacker to succeed when the offensive line is instantly at the second level, making blocks.
Outlook for 2026 and Beyond
The Bengals made a very clear statement this offseason when they spent their resources improving the defensive front and defensive secondary rather than upgrading their young linebacker corps.
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I am not saying that the team had unwavering confidence in Carter and Knight moving forward, but they definitely feel their young linebackers will improve with Decter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen in front of them, not to mention Bryan Cook behind them.
The pressure is on Carter to step up. There are no more excuses. He is not a rookie, and he is surrounded by talent.
I expect Carter to emerge as a solid plus starter at middle linebacker. I expect him to have over 100 tackles, likely leading the team, and a couple of freaking interceptions that leave you in awe.
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