"Defense is important. A lot of people believe defense wins championships, and maybe that’s true. If we get a little better over there, maybe we will," Tobin said.

Bengals de facto GM Duke Tobin held a pre-draft press conference on Monday in which he was asked about the starting linebackers for the 2026 season. He was non-committal about Pratt’s future on the team as well as whether Burks, who was signed as a free agent, is penciled in as the starter next to Wilson in 2026.