The Bengals don’t need a splashy fix at tight end. They need bodies, reliability and a little insurance.
That’s why Panthers tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders has popped up as a sensible trade target, with ESPN’s Bill Barnwell pointing Cincinnati toward the bargain bin while sorting contenders into his “Should Be Selectively Adding” tier. Barnwell’s bigger Bengals suggestion was Eagles linebacker Zach Baun, but there’s no sign Philadelphia is entertaining realistic offers for him. Sanders, on the other hand, looks far more attainable.
He’d come cheap, too. Barnwell described Sanders as a player who could be had for close to the minimum in salary, making him a much easier fit for a Bengals team that is expected to get expensive next year with Amarius Mims, DJ Turner and others due for anticipated new deals. Barnwell also framed Sanders as a possible replacement for Tanner Hudson.
“Panthers tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders got off to a promising start as a rookie, but he managed just 190 receiving yards over 13 games in 2025 and has been a healthy scratch for the entirety of the 2026 season so far. He needs a change of scenery, and while the Panthers have clearly soured on him, Sanders’ athleticism and ability after the catch played up in 2024. He would be an interesting receiving tight end option for the Bengals as a replacement for Tanner Hudson,” Barnwell noted.
The fit is about depth more than fireworks. Sanders isn’t being projected as a difference-maker who walks in and changes the offense overnight. But Cincinnati’s tight end room is thin enough that even a modest addition matters.
Right now, Mike Gesicki is listed at tight end, though his usage looks much more like a third receiver than a traditional in-line option. Beyond him, the Bengals have three healthy tight ends: Drew Sample, Jack Endries and Cam Grandy.
That scarcity is the real issue. One more injury to that group after today, and Cincinnati would lose the chance to add a tight end through trade.
Sanders, a Texas product, could be available for no more than a sixth- or seventh-round pick after spending the first half of the season on the bench. He played 924 offensive snaps for Carolina in 2024 and 2025, and while he wouldn’t arrive as a finished product, he could help stabilize an important spot on the roster.
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Dexter Lawrence Just Added To Bengals Fans Joe Burrow Hype
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For Cincinnati fans, it is another reminder that Burrows strong play is not just carrying the team through its recent winning stretch, it is also earning the admiration of accomplished players around him. Lawrences message has been simple and confident, matching the tone around a quarterback who has looked every bit like the centerpiece of the Bengals season. [Read more 🡒]