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Veteran free agent LB A.J. Hawk visiting with the Cincinnati Bengals

ByVinnie Criscenzo|
Oct 26, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Green Bay Packers inside linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Green Bay Packers inside linebacker A.J. Hawk (50) against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Veteran free agent and former Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk is visiting with the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday.

The Cincinnati Bengals learned a hard lesson last season about the depth of their linebackers.

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Bengals starting linebackers Rey Maualuga and Vontaze Burfict both missed significant time due to injuries last season. Maualaga missed 4 games due to injury, while Burfict was held out of 11 games. Despite the injuries, the Bengals were still able to make the playoffs, but ultimately lost in the first round to the Indianapolis Colts.

The injuries at linebacker wasn’t the only reason for the loss by any means, but it certainly was a significant reason. It’s impossible to find players that can replace the likes of Maualaga and Burfict, but head coach Marvin Lewis wants as little drop-off in talent as possible in case either of them goes down with an injury again.

That’s why, according to Adam Schefter, the Bengals are hosting former Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk on Monday, in hopes of signing him to give the team more depth at the linebacker position.

Hawk never seemed to meet the very high expectations that came with him being drafted fifth overall by the Packers in 2006. Still, Hawk  has been a very solid and reliable player for the Packers over his nine-year career.

In 142 games played with the Packers, Hawk has recorded 628 solo tackles with 298 assisted tackles, 19 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. He’s also added 9 interceptions and 33 passes defensed. He has started 136 of those games and has missed just 2 games over his entire career. In 2014, Hawk recorded 54 tackles and 40 solo tackles with 0.5 sacks and 2 passes defensed.

The 31-year-old veteran is not in his prime anymore, but he could be a solid player for the Bengals in a supporting role behind Maualaga and Burfict. He can also be a reliable plug-in player in case Maualaga or Burfict go down with injuries again. There will still be a significant drop-off in talent from Maualaga or Burfict to Hawk, but it still leaves the Bengals with a reliable option.

H/T Adam Schefter

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