He knew he just needed a chance.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle B.J. Hill carved out a role for himself last season after being acquired via a trade with the New York Giants in late August.
Expectations were relatively low for Hill on the outside. After starting his NFL career recording 5.5 sacks in 2018, his following two seasons weren’t as productive as he tallied only two sacks in 2019 and 2020.
The fresh start was exactly what Hill and the Bengals needed.
When Cincinnati traded Billy Price in exchange for Hill, it was in hopes to bolster its defensive line depth. The team wanted more pieces behind Larry Ogunjobi and DJ Reader and Hill had experience with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo from his stint as the defensive backs coach for the Giants in 2018.
As for why Hill’s production dropped after his strong rookie season, Hill points to the lack of playing time. The Giants loaded up on their defensive line during this time and Hill dropped down the depth chart. Hill started 12 games in his first year, five games in his second and zero games in his final season with the Giants.
“At the Giants, I just had a lot of great players in front of me,” Hill said. “I was just a role piece where when they get tired, get thrown in. And then I came here, and I just took off. I got more opportunities, that was the big thing more opportunities, more playing time and I knew I would take advantage of the time.”
Despite his playing time dwindling, Hill stayed focused in hopes when he did get another opportunity, he would make the most of it.
That he did, just in another city.
“I always thought he had something in him,” Anarumo said of acquiring Hill. “When he became available, I thought it was a no-brainer.”
After a season in which he recorded 5.5 sacks for the Bengals, Hill was used mostly on a rotational basis. Things changed in the postseason when Ogunjobi suffered a leg injury in Cincinnati’s wild-card playoff victory over the Las Vegas Raiders at Paul Brown Stadium. Ogunjobi was placed on injured reserve and his season was over.
“I always knew I could play at a high level,” Hill said. “I knew I could play and be a starter. I showed that in the postseason when Larry went down, I knew I had to step up and I did that.”
Losing Ogunjobi was certainly a big loss for Anarumo’s defense but having Hill on the roster made things easier. Hill immediately was plugged into the starting role opposite of Reader against the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round and tallied three tackles. A week later, Hill made one of the biggest plays in the AFC Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Bengals were trailing 21-13 with three minutes to play in the third quarter and it was Hill’s interception on Patrick Mahomes that shifted the momentum in Cincinnati’s favor. After the interception, Joe Burrow took the Bengals down the field and the Bengals tied the game to make it 21-21 with one more quarter to play.
You could argue that play was where Hill made his money. Following the season, the Bengals knew it would be hard to keep both Ogunjobi and Hill given the market for defensive tackles who can also rush the passer. The Bengals turned their focus to ensuring they locked Hill up for years to come and it all worked out. Hill signed a three-year deal with the Bengals for a reported $30 million.
Anarumo was praised for the multiplicity of his pressure packages and it all starts in the middle, where Hill and Reader earn their living. And Hill is more than ready for the bigger role, according to Reader.
“I think he’s ready,” Reader said. “He played a lot of downs last year. I think he’s ready for it and excited for it. He’s really quick off the ball, he’s really athletic. He uses his hands well and does a good job of being physical.”
Hill knew from the minute he was drafted in 2018 he had the talent to play at the highest level. What he needed was the opportunity to the Bengals gave him and will continue to for foreseeable future as a cornerstone of the defensive line.
“I’m excited for it… I’m ready for it,” Hill said.
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