Bengals DT Kris Jenkins Addresses National Outlook on Team's Defense

Cincinnati is in the full swing of training camp.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr. (90) walks off the field with an injury in the second quarter of the NFL Week 13 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — Kris Jenkins is entering a big second season along the Bengals' defensive line. The 2024 second-round pick spoke with FOX 19's Jeremy Rauch on Thursday about how much the Bengals defense has to prove over the next few months.

Cincinnati had a rough overall team pressure rate without blitzing last season (27th), and it's led people to believe the trenches will be another struggle.

"I think that's something that will continue to be heard, continue to be said until we get the season started," Jenkins said to Rauch. "But we just don't got nothing to lose. So we're excited to show what we got this year."

Jenkins notched 31 tackles and three sacks as a rookie, a strong start to build with a purpose early this season.

"I think we had more room where we could grow from last year," Jenkins said about the defense. "So absolutely, I think when we finally get this whole puzzle together, you know, we're gonna be a very special team."

The Michigan product is competing for playing time with McKinnley Jackson and more as B.J. Hill gets managed with his injury this camp.

Plenty of opportunity on the table for a possible leap player in a unit that could use one.

1-on-1 with Kris Jenkins after day two of camp.

"We don't got nothing to lose. We're excited to show what we've got this year. We think we've got something special."

Good conversation and the defense and motivation. #Bengals @FOX19 pic.twitter.com/ppoOWTZmc2

— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) July 24, 2025

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