Dexter Lawrence is adding, among many things, personality to the Bengals defense

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 20: Cornerback Dax Hill #23 of the Cincinnati Bengals and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II #97 of the Cincinnati Bengals have fun during warmups before the NFL football game between the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals on September 20, 2026, at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Zac Taylor is in a unique position. He's the head coach of the Bengals and their offensive play-caller.

In his position, Taylor, like a CEO, is also in charge of managing this team's personalities. Most of those personalities have been on offense in Taylor's tenure.

Now, the defense has some. Not only is the Bengals' defense revived. It has personality, especially up front and with Dexter Lawrence.

Lawrence is the tone-setter of the Bengals' defense. That comes in the form of on-field production, but it also comes with having a little fun on the field trash-talking.

He just loves it. I think he's contributed to the personality of our defense," Taylor said after Friday's practice. Not only are they talented and confident, and playing with this really good chemistry, but they've got a really big personality as a whole, and he's obviously a big part of this, and that's what's fun."

Lawrence was mic'd up during the Bengals' 20-6 win over the Houston Texans in Week 2. It was incredible to listen to, with Lawrence demonstrating elite trash-talking abilities.

It's something we haven't really seen from a Bengals' defense in quite some time. The S.W.A.T. Team had personality back in the 80s, but Bengals' defenses since really haven't it... until now.

With the mic'd up stuff, everybody gets to see kind of what we see from him, (defensive tackle) Jonathan Allen, and everybody kind of combining together," Taylor said. And it probably gets a couple of the other guys out of their shell a little bit."

Don't be surprised if you see other mic'd-up segments and soundbites from the Bengals or NFL Films showcasing Lawrence and the Bengals' defensive line trash-talking their opponents. The Bengals' defensive line is getting a lot of attention. They have talented players, but they also have players with personalities.