B.J. Hill turns 30 next month, and he says that's nothing.

"Five, six more years," says Hill, the Happy Warrior of the Bengals defensive line.

He got three of the years on Wednesday when he signed his second deal with the Bengals, this one for a reported $33 million that secures one of their locker-room leaders and Super Bowl veterans. Not to mention the man who dared Joe Burrow to dye his hair blond last spring.

"Maybe I'll just show up on my own with it dyed this year," Hill says.

That would be just one part of a defensive makeover with Al Golden in his first year as coordinator. Hill remembers when Golden was the linebackers coach during the Super Bowl run in 2021 and believes Golden can help rekindle the mojo.

"I think we'll have the same level of defense, same confidence, same level of determination to get after it," says Hill, who has popped into Golden's office. "Just going up and talking to him, he's very passionate about football and he brings an energy to it."

If anyone is bringing juice, it is Hill. It's his trademark in the locker room and in the trenches.

"He's the same guy every day. Doesn't matter," says Joey Boese, who as the Bengals head strength and conditioning coach knows the ebbs and flows of his team as well as anyone.

"B.J. is always up. He's never down. That's just hard to do, but he does it every day. He's one of the glue guys."

Up front, he's been glue, adhesive tape, ace bandage, whatever you want to call it. He's played the fourth most snaps of any defensive tackle since 2022 with 2,304, behind only Daron Payne (2,574), Chris Jones (2,428), and Jeffery Simmons (2,305). Since running mate Larry Ogunjobi was lost for the postseason in the 2021 Wild Card Game, he's pretty much played about 75% of the snaps.

"I love it," Hill says.

But he's also open to the 2021-like rotation. Especially when you remind him that's when he had a career-high 5.5 sacks playing 47% of the snaps.

"Heck yeah. Taking some loads off some players in a good way is always good," Hill says. "You always put your best foot forward so you're not always tired. Gassed. Trying to save yourself."

The Bengals have been trying to load up at tackle so they can spread the load. They drafted a three technique to take the heat off Hill in the second round last year in Kris Jenkins Jr. In the third round they took McKinnley Jackson, a player they think can swing between the three technique and nose tackle. On Thursday, they're expected to sign one of the NFL's top run-stoppers in Green Bay nose tackle T.J. Slaton. The draft is also full of three techniques in the first two rounds.

"I think having those guys develop, getting better each and every year would definitely help my play, too," Hill says. "For one, competing wise and for two, taking some reps off me or whoever it is. That helps the whole group."

One guy who won't be in the rotation is the guy who has been next to Hill for the last four years. Left end Sam Hubbard, who retired last week.

"That one hurt. He's my guy. Left side," Hill said. "I'm proud of him. He had a great career. For him to finish his career in Cincinnati, that's awesome. A lot of people don't get to do that. Hopefully I get to finish my career here."

In how many years?

"Five or six," Hill says. "Plenty left in the tank."