The Bengals had a chance to make a statement at the trade deadline. Instead, they ended up with a mess, a canceled deal, and a whole lot of questions about how Cincinnati handles business when the pressure is on.
The biggest issue was the failed trade for Arnold Ebiketie with Philadelphia. Cincinnati had been working to add depth in place of Cashius, but the deal unraveled when the cost climbed higher than expected. The Bengals didn’t land Ebiketie, and they didn’t make any other moves either.
That left them watching while other AFC contenders acted. Buffalo and Denver both made major additions at the 11th hour, and Jacksonville added former Bengal Jessie Bates, which only made Cincinnati’s inactivity look worse.
Zac Taylor was the one who had to explain what happened on Wednesday, and he did so with a quote that made clear how the message had been handled internally. As transcribed by beat writer Charlie Goldsmith, Taylor said:
"Obviously, we tried something yesterday. Duke was very explicit with me when he came and spoke to me about how he wanted this portrayed.
I’m not comfortable doing it, but I’m going to do what he asked. We did make an effort to put some depth in there in place of Cashius.
As we got into it, it was going to be more costly than we initially anticipated. He’s really apologetic about it and wants it made clear.
Philly was a great trade partner. It was on our end.
Certainly we have a ton of confidence in our front office and how they do things. They’ve given us the players that have allowed us to be 6-2 right now, playing at such a high level."
That explanation didn’t erase the bigger picture. Duke Tobin, who has held his post since Bill Clinton was president, had a chance to address the situation himself and didn’t. Instead, Taylor was left to carry the fallout.
The Bengals have already been through a three-year playoff drought, and the front office has taken heat for how long it took to get serious about the roster. This offseason, the organization finally did something about it, and the results have shown up in the standings. Cincinnati is 6-2, and Joe Burrow is an MVP front-runner.
Still, the deadline felt like a missed opportunity. Even with the good feeling coming off the Madrid rout of the Falcons, the Bengals stood still while the rest of the AFC moved.
That’s why the bigger issue goes beyond one failed trade. It points back to the size and structure of Cincinnati’s personnel operation, and to the lack of a true general manager in title and in function. Burrow can only cover up so much.
The question now is how long the Bengals can keep operating this way before the cost shows up in the only place that really matters.
In Other News...
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The Bengals have gone 8-9 in games Blakeman has headed since 2010, and the recent history has not been kind. His crew has also been among the leagues most active when it comes to throwing flags this season, and with a postseason rsum that includes plenty of high-stakes work, this is the kind of officiating setup that tends to keep everyone on edge well before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Marvin Lewis Just Called Out What Bengals Must Fix Fast
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Lewis pointed to the ground game, the defense and the need to fully lean into Joe Burrows leadership as the key areas that cant stay inconsistent. For a team trying to seize first place in the division, the timing of that advice matters, because the margin for error gets thinner fast when the opponent is Pittsburgh and the stakes are already this high. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Just Sent A Risky Message In The AFC North Race
With the NFL trade deadline passing on Nov. 10, Cincinnati stood pat while several AFC contenders tried to sharpen their rosters for the stretch run. The Bengals did not make a move, leaving both the offense and defense intact despite sitting at 6-2 and firmly in the AFC North hunt. In a market where rivals were willing to add help, Cincinnati chose continuity over change.
The decision also left a few obvious roster questions hanging in place, including a running back group that has struggled to generate consistent production. The Bengals had been linked to Philadelphia defensive end Arnold Ebiketie, but nothing materialized before the deadline closed, and the front office ultimately decided against any additions. For a team trying to hold its edge in a crowded division race, the message was clear enough, even if the long-term wisdom of it will take a few more weeks to sort out. [Read more 🡒]