The Cincinnati Bengals’ defense is looking to bounce back after a poor season in 2024 led to the departure of defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.Head coach Zac Taylor replaced Anarumo with former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, who will look to put his stamp on a defense that finished 25th in the NFL in points allowed per game last season.A key piece of that defense will be defensive back Dax Hill, who is coming off a torn ACL suffered in Week 5 of last season.Hill has shown positive signs in his rehab from the injury, with director of player personnel Duke Tobin saying the 2022 first round pick “looks great.”“We’re excited about him,” Golden said Monday. “He looks healthy, he’s out there with a lot of the rookies and the injured vets. He just gives us great flexibility.”The Michigan product began his NFL career as a safety for two seasons before transitioning to cornerback in 2024.Golden said Hill could play either outside cornerback or nickel cornerback, which was played by Mike Hilton last season. Hilton left as a free agent this offseason.“When that roster is set, we got to make it for the long haul,” Golden said. “We need corners that can learn inside-outside, safety, we have safeties that need to learn nickel. We need linebackers that can learn the edge, so we’re trying to build vertical and horizontal depth.”Through three seasons with the Bengals, Hill has two interceptions, 2.5 sacks and 103 solo tackles.

CINCINNATI —

The Cincinnati Bengals’ defense is looking to bounce back after a poor season in 2024 led to the departure of defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.

Head coach Zac Taylor replaced Anarumo with former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden, who will look to put his stamp on a defense that finished 25th in the NFL in points allowed per game last season.

A key piece of that defense will be defensive back Dax Hill, who is coming off a torn ACL suffered in Week 5 of last season.

Hill has shown positive signs in his rehab from the injury, with director of player personnel Duke Tobin saying the 2022 first round pick “looks great.”

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Al Golden says BJ Hill is good to go for the start of camp.

On Dax Hill, Golden isn’t tipping his hand, regarding what position (outside/nickel) Hill will focus on to start camp. We’ll have our early answer later this week.

— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) July 21, 2025

“We’re excited about him,” Golden said Monday. “He looks healthy, he’s out there with a lot of the rookies and the injured vets. He just gives us great flexibility.”

The Michigan product began his NFL career as a safety for two seasons before transitioning to cornerback in 2024.

Golden said Hill could play either outside cornerback or nickel cornerback, which was played by Mike Hilton last season. Hilton left as a free agent this offseason.

“When that roster is set, we got to make it for the long haul,” Golden said. “We need corners that can learn inside-outside, safety, we have safeties that need to learn nickel. We need linebackers that can learn the edge, so we’re trying to build vertical and horizontal depth.”

Through three seasons with the Bengals, Hill has two interceptions, 2.5 sacks and 103 solo tackles.