NOVEMBER 5: A hour before the trade deadline, the Bengals are getting the hang of this buyer’s mindset. Before acquiring Khalil Herbert on Tuesday morning, the Bengals had added just one player via trade in season over the past 50 years. Now 4-5, Cincinnati is on the hunt for defensive tackle help, Russini adds. Injuries have been an issue here this season, and the Bengals’ defense has certainly underwhelmed on the whole.
NOVEMBER 2: Lawrence Guy landed a deal with the Bengals shortly after the start of the regular season. His Cincinnati deal allowed him to make four appearances with the team, but the veteran defensive lineman is now once again headed for free agency.
Guy was released on Saturday, the Bengals announced. That move makes him a free agent, meaning he could find a new opportunity in short order. Failing that, the 34-year-old will be a candidate to be retained on a practice squad pact. Guy saw his seven-year Patriots tenure end this offseason, and his Bengals pact came about shortly after he explored a Ravens reunion with a free agent visit. In a corresponding move, undrafted rookie running back Kendall Milton was signed from the taxi squad to the active roster.
Aside from Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals have struggled to find production along the edge. Guy was limited to a a pair of tackles with Cincinnati, a team which does not have a track record of being active at the trade deadline. That could change in the near future, though, especially if help on defense can be obtained for the right price. The 3-5 Bengals face a steep path to the postseason, but a buyer’s stance would not come as a complete surprise.
Cincinnati has looked into a trade addition in advance of the November 5 deadline, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports (subscription required). She adds the defensive line and cornerback spots in particular are targets for improving a unit which sits 23rd in points allowed per game. The Bengals rank outside the top 20 in the league against both the run and pass this year, and their 12 sacks leave plenty of room for increased production along the edge.
Hendrickson’s Bengals future beyond 2024 is uncertain given his contract status and the trade request which was denied by the team this spring in the wake of no adjustment or extension being negotiated. For the time being, however, the three-time Pro Bowler – who has seven sacks on the year – is very much in the fold and he will play a central role if Cincinnati is to make a second half playoff push. Adding a starting-caliber edge presence (like Azeez Ojulari of the Giants, whom Russini adds the Bengals have on their radar) would boost the pass rush. Veterans Za’Darius Smith (Browns) and Jadeveon Clowney (Panthers) have also been floated as trade candidates in recent weeks.
Dax Hill‘s ACL tear ended his 2024 season, the first in which he was being used as a full-time perimeter corner. His absence has created a vacancy alongside Cam Taylor-Britt and Mike Hilton for a starting option. Bringing in a cover man capable of immediately taking on first-team duties for a rental price is unlikely, but adding a depth contributor in the secondary would give DC Lou Anarumo another option in the wake of Hill’s injury.
The Bengals enter Week 9 with just under $9MM in cap space, so a midseason addition is certainly feasible from a financial perspective. Whether or not the team makes the rare move of swinging a trade will be an interesting storyline to follow over the coming days.
Not sure why folks reporting on teams lookin at 5-6 loses as a lost season, 11-6 can get ya into the dance. Teams, yearly, make a run after players start to gel once new / old start getting in sync…….and yes every year teams will start fast then fade.
Mid November is when I start to formulate my ‘money’ list and after first week of December my Christmas list is fairly set. Cryin Wolf before Thanksgiving doesn’t always define the real turkeys.
Because the Bengals need to be near perfect the rest of the way to make the dance, and if you’ve watched their games, they don’t look like a team that can do that, talent to do so be darned.
No TV up here…..just XM.
With that I don’t get where they’re deficient as they’ve got offensive weapons so I’d guess defense is weak.
Do they though? They’re 3-5 and right now 4-3 gets the 7 seed. They very well may just need 9 wins (6-3 ROS). Do we really trust the Broncos, Chargers, and Colts to not be surpassed by Cincy who still has yet to play the Raiders, Titans, and their second matchup with the Browns?
AFC is a mess 9 wins likely the last playoff spot
So, for the Bengals, Lawrence WAS NOT “The Guy”.
With THAT last name, shouldn’t he take up PUNTING ??
He’s just a Guy.
So, better late than never??