The Bengals are still in the mix for Jonathan Taylor as the 2026 NFL trade deadline approaches next Tuesday, and the buzz around Cincinnati isn’t fading.
FOX Sports insider Jordan Schultz said on The Pivot podcast this week that the Bengals are part of a group of teams in “hot pursuit” of the Colts running back. Schultz named five to six teams that have been pushing hard for Taylor: Giants, Packers, Broncos, Seahawks, Bengals, Vikings.
“My understanding is that five to six teams have been aggressively pursuing him: Giants, Packers, Broncos, Seahawks, Bengals, Vikings,” Schultz said about Taylor. “I believe he also would be open to a fresh start, and I think it'll take at least a second-round pick plus call it plus additional compensation to get it done. And I actually do expect that to happen.”
That kind of price tag would force any team to think hard, but Cincinnati’s offense is already humming. The Bengals rank sixth in EPA/play this season among NFL offenses and second in success rate, which is why adding Taylor - or another weapon like Josh Downs - would be less about fixing the unit and more about turning it into something even more dangerous.
Schultz also discussed what Downs might cost, and he made it clear the Colts could be open for business there too.
“Then you have Josh Downs. Now the Colts want a third-round pick for him, but I think ultimately they'll probably get a fourth.
He's very valuable in the receiving game.I would say keep an eye on the Steelers, Chiefs, and Commanders, among others, and then don't be surprised if other teams that we haven't even considered yet, because he's valuable and he's set to become a free agent,” Schultz noted about Downs. “But you have the Colts, really, big picture-wise.
They have officially entered a full-on rebuild, and when you talk about stockpiling draft picks, clearing cap space, reducing financial commitments to give their GM really maximum flexibility.”
For Cincinnati, the deadline conversation may not stop at offense. After what the Titans game showed, the Bengals could use help at cornerback, linebacker, or safety as well. They also have eight draft picks next year, and the path to the No. 1 seed in the conference looks open enough to justify more than one move.
Taylor’s current production adds another layer to the discussion. He’s averaging 4.1 yards per carry this season, which ranks 26th among running backs, but he also has eight touchdowns, second in the league.
That’s why the Bengals are still being linked to him. The fit is obvious, the interest is real, and the clock is ticking.
In Other News...
Chase Brown Is Giving The Bengals Something This Offense Needs
The Bengals needed a steady hand out of the backfield in their overtime win over the Titans, and Chase Brown kept giving them exactly that. He was involved as both a runner and a receiver, finishing with eight catches for 46 yards and 12 carries for 55 yards, the kind of workload that shows how much the offense is leaning on him in key moments.
What has made Brown more than just a useful change-of-pace option is the growing trust around him in pass protection, which has become a real factor in how Cincinnati can deploy its offense. With the Bengals looking for stability behind the line and more balance in the backfield, Browns expanded role feels like one of the more important developments to watch as the season moves along. [Read more 🡒]
Dexter Lawrence Is Carrying A Bengals Defense Fans Still Can't Trust
Dexter Lawrence was all over the field in the Bengals overtime win against the Titans, the kind of disruptive night that can tilt a game even when the rest of the defense still feels shaky. He finished with 5 run stops, 2 pressures, a sack, a fumble recovery and 7 total tackles, and he kept drawing double teams while still finding ways to affect the pocket and the run game.
For Cincinnati, the encouraging part is obvious: one of its most important defensive pieces is playing at a high level and showing up in the biggest moments. The frustrating part is just as clear, because the Bengals still have enough issues around him that one standout performance does not erase the larger trust problem on that side of the ball. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Face Trade Deadline Pressure To Fix Two Key Weaknesses
With the trade deadline approaching, the Bengals are being pushed to look hard at two spots that have drawn attention all season: running back and outside linebacker. Cincinnati has reportedly been weighing roster upgrades, and the conversation has already turned to names that could help balance out the offense and give the defense a little more juice off the edge.
One league observer has pointed to Tampa Bay running back Kenneth Gainwell and Washington edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson as possible fits, which at least shows the kind of profile Cincinnati may be chasing. Gainwell landed with the Buccaneers on a new deal after leaving Pittsburgh, while Chaisson has flashed pass-rushing ability on a short-term contract in Washington, leaving the Bengals with a familiar deadline question: whether the right move is available now, and how aggressive they want to be in fixing both problems. [Read more 🡒]