The Bengals are sitting at 6-2 as the NFL trade deadline approaches, and that puts Duke Tobin and company in a position to consider more than one kind of move. The trade for Dexter Lawrfence last offseason already helped shape this run, but the roster still has a few obvious soft spots that could get attention if Cincinnati decides to act.
Running back is the name that keeps coming up, though Jonathan Taylor looks like a long shot. The price tag is simply too steep for what the position usually gives back, especially with a big contract attached.
Even so, it would not be surprising if the Bengals looked for help there in some form. Chase Brown finally had a productive outing in the win over Atlanta, finishing with nine carries for 57 yards and a 6.3 average, but Samaje Perine still handled more work with 11 carries.
The ground game figures to matter even more once the weather turns, and Cincinnati could chase a bigger name like Tony Pollard or settle for a lesser addition to deepen the rotation.
There is also a more intriguing idea floating around: a Jessie Bates reunion. The Bengals just saw him in Madrid, and if the Falcons decide to sell, the fit is easy to understand.
Bates is on an expiring contract, the cost would not be especially high, and Cincinnati knows exactly what it would be getting. It is still a long shot, but it checks a lot of boxes, especially with Bryan Cook and Jordan Battle both dealing with injuries at different points and Kyle Dugger running into setbacks as well.
It would also amount to a correction of a major past mistake.
Beyond the headline names, the Bengals have several spots that could use reinforcement. Linebacker depth looks shaky with Swayze Bozeman on injured reserve, and the defensive end rotation is under the microscope with rookie Cashius Howell also on injured reserve.
Injuries have hit the back seven, and both tight ends Erick All and Tanner Hudson are on injured reserve too. Even a modest move at one of those positions would not come as a surprise.
In Other News...
Joe Burrow Already Has Another International Bengals Game In Mind
The Bengals trip to Madrid ended with another polished performance from Joe Burrow, who kept Cincinnati rolling with 24 completions on 29 attempts for 271 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-17 win over the Falcons. The victory pushed the Bengals to 6-2 and gave the latest international showcase another reminder of how comfortable Burrow can look far from home.
Now the conversation is already moving to where the NFL might take Cincinnati next. According to NFL insider Kelsey Conway, Burrow has his eye on Tokyo if the league ever stages a game there, a sign that the Bengals quarterback is not just embracing the international stage but thinking ahead to the next one. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Head Into Steelers Week With One New Injury Concern
The Bengals are back home after their trip to Spain, and the focus now shifts quickly to an AFC North meeting with the Steelers. Cincinnati left Madrid with the usual post-trip cleanup to handle, but the bigger concern coming out of the week is the health of starting guard Dylan Fairchild, who picked up an injury along the way and added a fresh question to an offensive line that has already had to manage its share of moving parts.
Zac Taylor said the team likes where its momentum is heading as it turns to Pittsburgh, and the Bengals are also keeping an eye on several injured players who could be close to returning. That matters in a division game where every practice rep counts and depth can be tested fast, especially with the Steelers next on the schedule and Cincinnati trying to keep its preparation on track while the injury report remains a live issue. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Suddenly Face A Tougher Trade Deadline Problem In The Secondary
The Bengals went into the trade deadline with a familiar name in mind for help in the secondary, but that path is now gone. Jessie Bates is no longer available as a possible target, which leaves Cincinnati looking deeper into the safety market as it tries to steady a position hit by injuries and thin depth.
With the obvious fit off the board, the Bengals are now weighing other options and trying to sort through a less comfortable set of possibilities. Budda Baker, Amani Hooker and Andre Cisco are among the names being discussed, but for now it is still a matter of exploring what might be available rather than knowing which direction Cincinnati will actually take. [Read more 🡒]