Barrett Carter Says Bengals Are Copying Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Culture

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Lockett | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 9:42 AM ET

Dabo Swinney might not be coaching in the NFL, but his fingerprints continue to show up across the league — this time in one of the most unexpected places: Cincinnati.

When former Clemson star linebacker Barrett Carter arrived at his first NFL offseason with the Bengals, he didn’t expect to feel something familiar. But as the Bengals implemented a unique new tradition during team meetings, it brought him right back to his roots in Tiger Town.

“I love it,” Carter said via Bengals.com. “I think what Coach [Zac Taylor] is trying to do is get to know our teammates on a different level. Especially me being a rookie coming in, it’s good to get a glimpse into their lives for what they’ve been through.”

That approach might sound familiar to Clemson fans. Carter quickly pointed out that the Bengals’ new format — where a player stands in front of the team to share personal stories or explain situational football — mirrors a well-known Swinney tradition known as “The Safe Seat.”

At Clemson, Swinney used “The Safe Seat” as a way to break down barriers between players, build trust, and create an unshakable locker-room bond. It worked — not just in building culture, but also in producing winners.

Now, in a Cincinnati locker room that features Pro Bowlers like Orlando Brown Jr. and quarterback Joe Burrow, a rookie from Clemson is helping reintroduce that same sense of brotherhood to a team looking for a fast start in 2025. And he’s not just observing — he’s learning.

Carter said he was especially struck by the journey of veteran offensive lineman Lucas Patrick, whose rise from undrafted tryout to NFL starter reminded him that everyone has a story worth hearing.

“That one stood out to me,” Carter said. “He really had to scratch and claw just to get to where he is today. Everybody has an interesting story in their own way.”

That kind of emotional vulnerability — the foundation of Swinney’s locker rooms at Clemson — is exactly what Taylor is trying to cultivate. With a revamped staff, a youth movement, and a completely overhauled training camp schedule, the Bengals are taking major steps to reset their culture. And it starts with stories.

It’s no accident that Swinney’s former players often become leaders quickly at the next level. Whether it’s Deshaun Watson’s early poise, Tee Higgins’ consistency, or now Carter’s maturity, Clemson’s culture seems to travel well.

“I want this team to be connected,” Taylor said. “Understand the person sitting next to them. Who they are. Who they represent.”

Carter hasn’t told his story yet. But when the moment comes, he’ll be ready — not just because he’s been through it at Clemson, but because, under Dabo Swinney, he learned why it matters.

And as Carter continues learning from NFL veterans and bonding with new teammates, it’s clear that what he took from Clemson isn’t just talent. It’s leadership. And it’s already making a difference.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: