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For the first time in several years, the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense appears capable of making life difficult on Joe Burrow rather than just relying on him to overcome the unit’s shortcomings.
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Following the fourth training camp practice on Saturday, August 1, Bengals center Ted Karras was able to offer a strong comparison for the Bengals defense.
Ted Karras Compares the Cincinnati Bengals Defense to the 2016 New England Patriots
When speaking about the defense, Karras said, “Today felt like going against the 2016 New England Patriots defense. A lot of good players. A lot of grown men.”
High praise from Ted Karras #WhoDeypic.twitter.com/r1QFtPgbMl
— SleeperBengals (@SleeperBengals) August 1, 2026
For Karras to make this comparison speaks volumes. Karras was a rookie in 2016 and was on the Patriots’ roster that season. New England went 14-2 that season and ended up winning the Super Bowl. Karras had experience going against New England’s defensive front in practices, so to compare this Bengals unit to that one comes with firsthand experience.
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With Karras also making this comparison, it shows how much the Bengals defense has changed over just one offseason. By adding Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook, Cincinnati brought in more rice, experience and physicality to that side of the ball, and it is clear it is already paying off.
It is still early on, and the first padded practice on Monday, August 3 will be very telling as to just how much of an improved unit this defense could be. Karras already making this comparison should catch the attention of every other NFL team.
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This story was originally published August 2, 2026 at 8:44 PM.