As yesterday’s Kevin Byard trade showed, this time of year will see contending teams pull of trades aimed at boosting a deep postseason run. The Bengals are still viewed as a team in position to serve as buyers, but it would come as a surprise if the team made an aggressive push for a deal in the coming days.
Joe Burrow‘s calf injury left he and the Cincinnati offense hobbled to start the year, but things have turned around recently. The Bengals spent their bye week at 3-3 on the year and thus still in contention for at least a playoff berth in a stacked AFC. While other contenders could make notable additions in the coming days, Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic writes that the Bengals are not expected to be players on the trade front (subscription required).
Cincinnati has developed a reputation for frugality with respect to contract matters, but Burrow’s record-breaking deal serves as an obvious exception to that rule. With a massive commitment on the books for years to come at the quarterback spot, draft capital will of course be highly valued by the organization, one which has steered clear of short-term moves at the deadline in years past (despite the sharp uptick in notable midseason deals being worked out in recent campaigns).
As Dehner notes, offloading veteran edge rusher Carlos Dunlap to the Seahawks in 2020 represents the only trade the Bengals have made around the deadline within the past decade. Even with more than $12MM in cap space at the moment, then, Cincinnati would be following standard operating procedure if the team were to simply stand pat over the next week.
Dehner names running back Samaje Perine and tight end Hayden Hurst as potential low-cost targets for the Bengals. Acquiring either would mark a reunion with the depth contributors and give the team added insurance for an offense which has fallen well short of expectations so far. Perine signed with the Broncos in search of an expanded workload this offseason, but he has recorded double-digit touches only twice this season. Hurst, meanwhile, was part of the Panthers’ offensive renovations but he, like most other Carolina skill-position players, has failed to put up signficant numbers to date. Both players have multiple years left on their contracts, a factor which would dissuade interest on the Bengals’ part.
Plenty of time remains for Cincinnati to join the Eagles and, presumably, a list of other teams in their pursuit of upgrades for the stretch run. For now, though, signs point to the Bengals holding firm in lieu of sacrificing future assets for a short-term gain.
Anyone surprised by this? I would be stunned if they actually did anything.
Bottom of the AFC North — had the misfortune to be off last week while all the teams above them won — don’t be shocked if Cincy does pull off a deadline trade.
May be bottom but still the best team in the division.
Lost to Cleveland — lost to Baltimore — yet to play Pittsburgh — also have Seattle, San Fran, Jax, and KC coming up — not “the best team in the division” by far.
That’s why they play the games. Time will tell.
I could argue they are better than Pittsburgh and Cleveland at this point in time. Baltimore thou would be the best team in the division. Cincinnati did just beat Seattle last week by the way .
The Ravens are decent but have no chance to win the AFC this year. The Bengals remain the most talented and best team. If you put a lot of stock into the first half of the season, you must not watch a lot of NFL.
I was saying at this point in time on paper . Bengals aren’t clicking yet . Their defense saved their butts in Seattle. Once that offense comes around then we will see. I’m a bengals lifer since 1980 . But that’s just the truth. Higgins ain’t playing like himself and for some reason they just haven’t put it together for a whole game yet.
You can’t tell me that you would pick the Bengals against the Ravens if they faced off on Sunday . I know I ain’t betting the farm on them. In six weeks probably or playoffs on the line sure. I don’t trust Lamar. The Bengals a week or two ago had the worst offense in the NFL.
The Bears are the best team in their division too…if you consume enough magic mushrooms.