Bengals are banking on their latest free agent signing's clear connection to one of their newest coaches
B.J. Hill is not the only defensive tackle the Cincinnati Bengals are signing. As first reported by NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, the Bengals are signing former Green Bay Packers nose tackle TJ Slaton to a two-year, $15.1 million deal. Slaton was a fifth-round pick from the 2021 NFL Draft and played immediately as a rotational […]
B.J. Hill is not the only defensive tackle the Cincinnati Bengals are signing.
As first reported by NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, the Bengals are signing former Green Bay Packers nose tackle TJ Slaton to a two-year, $15.1 million deal.
Slaton was a fifth-round pick from the 2021 NFL Draft and played immediately as a rotational player before eventually breaking through as a starter in 2023. That was his most active season in Green Bay before his snaps decreased in 2024 under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
While Kenny Clark has been the Packers' all-around defensive tackle, the other players at the top of the depth chart are designated interior rushers, in Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks, TJ Slaton offered them something the roster otherwise didn't have a real run-stuffer over the middle. However, his importance was somewhat diminished under defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, because it's a scheme that requires more as a pass rusher. After playing 56% of the defensive snaps in 2023 under Joe Barry, Slaton was on the field only for 39% of the plays in 2024. – A to Z Sports' Wendell Ferreira
Despite his drop in playing time, Slaton led the NFL in ESPN's run stop win rate stat in 2024 with a 46% clip.
There's no mystery as to where Slaton succeeds. He's a run-stopper at nose tackle who can even provide a bit of juice against the pass.
The Bengals didn't have a nose tackle on the roster before this move. B.J. Hill, Kris Jenkins, and McKinnley Jackson are all more of B-gap defenders, but the loss of DJ Reader last year created a void that wasn't filled.
Slaton fills that on paper, but there's an even bigger reason why he's coming to Cincinnati.
Slaton reunites with his former position coach from Green Bay
One of the Bengals' newest coaches is defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery, whom held that title for the Packers from 2015-23. Montgomery's last three years on Green Bay's staff featured him coaching up Slaton.
This signing has Montgomery's fingerprints all over it.
Coaching changes sometimes does negatively impact a player's development. If the Bengals feel like Slaton gives them a skillset they don't have and his former position coach knows how to use him, then this is a smart signing for Cincinnati.
There are also ramifications.
Bengals are now pressed to find an interior pass rusher
Pairing Slaton with Hill gives Montgomery two solid veteran interior players to build around for the next two years. Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson will rotate behind them and are expected to take at least minor leaps coming off their rookie seasons.
None of those names are particularly great at rushing the passer, which means the Bengals still need to find someone who fits that mold.
It's unlikely another notable free agent defensive tackle is signed by Cincinnati in free agency, so the answer will likely come via the NFL Draft next month. If you're scouting that position for the Bengals, focus on those who can push the pocket and finish around the quarterback.
If the Bengals don't get a capable pass rusher for this position group, it's hard to imagine they're going to threaten many interior offensive lines on passing downs.
They've got their coach-approved nose tackle. Someone who can penetrate and provide pressure is the last piece to the puzzle.
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