Bengals Rookie Highlights Defensive Mentality, Veteran Relationship Following Training Camp Day 1

Diving headfirst into the NFL journey.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden coaches players during training camp, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at the Kettering Health Bengals Practice Fields in Downtown Cincinnati. | Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — Training Camp Day 1? Try Day 20 in the eyes of Cincinnati's defense. Rookie linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. highlighted that mentality on Wednesday to CLNS Media's Mike Petraglia.

The Bengals are trying to carry over momentum and execution from the spring sessions.

"We talked about it in the defense room yesterday. We had 19 practices back in the spring, and this was just number 20," Knight declared. "We're not starting over. We're picking up where we left off."

The South Carolina product figures to have a nice starting case throughout the next month in a big transformation period for one of the league's worst defenses last season. He's getting some strong aid from star linebacker Logan Wilson in the meantime.

"He's been a great big brother to me, just because even with the contract situation, he's checking in," Knight revealed. "I don't know if your star linebackers in other places are going to check in on a rookie. 'Hey, hang in there. It'll get done.' Just giving me pointers through it all. Like it may take a minute, but when the time comes, it'll get done. 

"And he was right, you know, there's no better timing than the day of, and it worked out just fine. So, but he's been great to have, especially football-wise, asking him about plays here and there, sending him plays at night, asking him questions."

The defense could benefit from as much communication as possible as first-practice signs point to them starting well this July.

One (20) session down for Knight and the Bengals, many to go. 

“Dialed in” Demetrius Knight says he was ready Wednesday to work after signing his deal. The maturity rings true with the 25-year-old out of South Carolina who was working with Logan Wilson on first unit Wednesday pic.twitter.com/OcE8biqk3H

— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) July 23, 2025

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