Bengals Could Move on From Former Starter After Disappointing Preseason
The Cincinnati Bengals appear to be facing some difficult decisions as they prepare to finalize their roster for the 2026 NFL season, and one defensive lineman could be among the players whose future with the team is in serious doubt.
McKinnley Jackson, a former third-round selection, has reportedly found himself in a vulnerable position following an underwhelming preseason. With Cincinnati adding significant talent to its defensive front and several younger players pushing for opportunities, Jackson may have to fight for his place on the final roster.
The Bengals enter the 2026 campaign with considerable optimism after making major changes to their defense. However, those additions have also created intense competition for playing time and roster spots. Jackson’s lack of a significant impact during the preseason has reportedly made him one of the players worth watching as Cincinnati approaches its final roster decisions.
Jackson’s Position Becomes Increasingly Uncertain
Jackson was selected by Cincinnati in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Since entering the league, he has appeared in 22 regular-season games but has made just one start.
His 2025 campaign was particularly quiet. Jackson failed to record a sack and finished the season with only seven tackles. While his overall Pro Football Focus grade of 62.1 suggested that he remained effective in certain areas, particularly against the run, his limited production has left questions about his long-term role.
The situation is even more complicated because Jackson previously expressed frustration about his playing time. During the 2025 season, he reportedly requested either a trade or release after seeing his role decrease. Cincinnati ultimately decided to retain him, but the defensive line now looks considerably different heading into the new season.
New Competition Has Put Pressure on Jackson
One of the biggest developments working against Jackson is the emergence of rookie defensive lineman Landon Robinson.
Robinson, a seventh-round selection, has reportedly made a strong impression during Cincinnati’s preseason games. His performances have given the coaching staff another intriguing option at defensive tackle and increased the competition for backup roles.
Against the Detroit Lions, Robinson recorded half a sack and two quarterback hits. He followed that performance with an even stronger showing against the Chicago Bears, producing 1.5 sacks, a tackle for loss and a pass deflection.
Those performances have reportedly strengthened Robinson’s case for a roster spot and put additional pressure on Jackson.
Cincinnati Has Plenty of Defensive-Line Depth
The Bengals’ defensive-line situation is also different because of the team’s offseason additions.
Cincinnati brought in established defensive talent, including Dexter Lawrence and Jonathan Allen, giving the team considerably more experience and depth up front. With those players expected to occupy important roles, younger defensive linemen are now competing for fewer available positions.
That makes every preseason performance important for players on the roster bubble.
Jackson’s situation is therefore not necessarily about one poor performance. Instead, it appears to be the result of increased competition combined with his limited production over the previous season and a preseason in which he has struggled to separate himself from the other defensive tackles.
A Trade Could Be Another Possibility
Rather than simply releasing Jackson, Cincinnati could potentially explore the trade market.
Because Jackson was a former third-round pick, another team could still view him as a player worth taking a chance on. His previous draft status and ability to contribute against the run could provide some value if the Bengals decide that moving him is preferable to keeping him as a depth option.
According to the latest report, Cincinnati may be interested in getting something in return for Jackson if a suitable trade opportunity develops.
For now, however, no final decision has been announced. Jackson remains part of the Bengals’ roster, meaning there is still an opportunity for him to change the narrative before the team makes its final cuts.
The Bengals have already demonstrated that they are willing to make difficult roster decisions as they build what they believe can be a much stronger defense in 2026. Earlier roster evaluations have also identified several players competing for limited spots, illustrating just how intense the battle has become.
With the regular season approaching, Jackson’s next move will be closely watched. Whether Cincinnati keeps him, trades him or ultimately moves on could depend on how the coaching staff evaluates the defensive line and how much value they place on his previous experience.
Source
The original report was published by Heavy.com on August 23, 2026, and was written by Jose Esquer. The report cites Bengals Wire’s Chris Roling and additional preseason evaluations of Cincinnati’s defensive line.
For additional Bengals roster context, Cincy Jungle has also reported that Cincinnati is facing difficult decisions as competition for final roster spots intensifies.
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