T.J. Slaton Jr. understands plenty of eyes are back on him this offseason, but for different reasons.One season after signing with Cincinnati as a clear-cut starter, Slaton finds himself in a Bengals logjam at defensive tackle.Following the blockbuster acquisition of All-Pro Dexter Lawrence and the addition of free agent two-time Pro Bowler Jonathan Allen, external speculation has pointed toward Slaton being the odd man out on the Bengals’ interior.However, inside the building, there are signs pointing in the other direction so far this spring.Take Dexter Lawrence or Joe Burrow, who both quickly mentioned Slaton’s name when asked recently at the podium about the promise of Cincinnati’s revamped defensive interior in 2026.Also of note is Slaton’s approach this offseason, arriving during Phase 1 of the club’s voluntary workouts and not missing a beat.“Just putting one foot after the other—it is what it is,” Slaton told WLWT. “It is a business at the end of the day, and you have to control the things that you can control.”If I can show up here every day, work hard, put my best foot forward, and have a good attitude, then that is what I'm going to do.”Unless Bengals ownership triggers a Joe Burrow contract restructure and subsequently frees up additional salary cap space, the idea of a Slaton salary dump ($6.66 million in 2026 savings) will remain a topic of conversation.Former second-round pick Kris Jenkins is also in this logjam.Despite holding the advantage of playing on a rookie contract, Jenkins has done little through two seasons to solidify what his role will be going forward.When adding in the variable of a training camp injury on the interior, it appears the Bengals are in no rush to make a final decision on Slaton.He’s handling the situation the right way, and the team is clearly done gambling on unproven rotations on the defensive interior.The question is: Will the club be able to afford this level of luxury in the middle when push comes to shove on August 25?
T.J. Slaton Jr. understands plenty of eyes are back on him this offseason, but for different reasons.
One season after signing with Cincinnati as a clear-cut starter, Slaton finds himself in a Bengals logjam at defensive tackle.
Following the blockbuster acquisition of All-Pro Dexter Lawrence and the addition of free agent two-time Pro Bowler Jonathan Allen, external speculation has pointed toward Slaton being the odd man out on the Bengals’ interior.
However, inside the building, there are signs pointing in the other direction so far this spring.
Take Dexter Lawrence or Joe Burrow, who both quickly mentioned Slaton’s name when asked recently at the podium about the promise of Cincinnati’s revamped defensive interior in 2026.
Also of note is Slaton’s approach this offseason, arriving during Phase 1 of the club’s voluntary workouts and not missing a beat.
“Just putting one foot after the other—it is what it is,” Slaton told WLWT. “It is a business at the end of the day, and you have to control the things that you can control.
“If I can show up here every day, work hard, put my best foot forward, and have a good attitude, then that is what I'm going to do.”
Unless Bengals ownership triggers a Joe Burrow contract restructure and subsequently frees up additional salary cap space, the idea of a Slaton salary dump ($6.66 million in 2026 savings) will remain a topic of conversation.
Former second-round pick Kris Jenkins is also in this logjam.
Despite holding the advantage of playing on a rookie contract, Jenkins has done little through two seasons to solidify what his role will be going forward.
When adding in the variable of a training camp injury on the interior, it appears the Bengals are in no rush to make a final decision on Slaton.
He’s handling the situation the right way, and the team is clearly done gambling on unproven rotations on the defensive interior.
The question is: Will the club be able to afford this level of luxury in the middle when push comes to shove on August 25?
