# Cris Collinsworth on Bengals' Linebacker Development

> Cris Collinsworth says Bengals' young linebackers must hold up against double-team schemes to reach potential.
- Title: Cris Collinsworth on Bengals' Linebacker Development
- Summary: Cris Collinsworth says Bengals' young linebackers must hold up against double-team schemes to reach potential.
- Keywords: cincinnati bengals, barrett carter, demetrius knight jr, cris collinsworth, linebacker position, bryan cook, double-team blocking schemes, nfl, Cincinnati Bengals On SI
- Source: Cincinnati Bengals On SI — https://si.com/nfl/bengals/onsi/cris-collinsworth-reveals-what-bengals-must-see-from-barrett-carter-demetrius-knight-jr
- Published: 2026-11-14T19:45:49+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cincinnati bengals, barrett carter, demetrius knight jr, cris collinsworth, linebacker position, bryan cook, double-team blocking schemes, nfl, sports
## Bengals' Young Linebackers Show Improvement
Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. have both shown flashes of improvement for the Bengals this season but plenty of questions remain.
## Cris Collinsworth on Linebacker Challenges
Linebacker in the NFL is a little bit like playing quarterback on the other side because you're the one with the green dot you're the one that has to make the adjustments.

> Linebacker in the NFL is a little bit like playing quarterback on the other side because you're the one with the green dot, you're the one that has to make the adjustments, we've got all these motions and shifts and think of the Bengals [offense] and all the stuff they do pre-snap
## Second Half as Final Test
The second half of this season is the final test for the linebackers to hold up against double-team blocking schemes.

> We're kind of into final exams right now, and if they can hold their own against some of these duo blocking schemes, where they go double-team here and double-team here, they're going to leave that linebacker, you figure it out
## Week 3 Performance Issues
Knight and Carter combined for three missed tackles and allowed five receptions for three first downs against the Steelers in Week 3.
## Bengals Banking on Young Players
Cincinnati is banking on both players to continue developing without significant offseason additions or trade deadline moves.
## Cris Collinsworth on Development
It takes patience and experience for young linebackers to hold up against double-team blocking schemes.

> It takes a little patience, it takes a little experience, and they're getting there, they're playing hard, but they're young
## What Happens Next
Answers for the Bengals' young linebackers will start showing in the second half of the season.
## Key takeaway

Bengals' Barrett Carter and Demetrius Knight Jr. need to improve against double-team blocking schemes to reach full potential.