The Bengals had a chance to make a real statement at the NFL trade deadline, and instead they came away with a mess.
Cincinnati reportedly tried to work out a deal for Arnold Ebiketie with Philadelphia, but the move fell apart after the team got deeper into it and decided the price was higher than expected. That was the only real swing. The Bengals also passed on making any other additions, even as several AFC rivals got more aggressive late.
Buffalo and Denver both made major moves at the deadline. Jacksonville, sitting atop the AFC South, added Jessie Bates, which only made Cincinnati’s inaction look worse by comparison.
What made the situation even more frustrating was how the Bengals handled the fallout. Duke Tobin did not address the media, leaving Zac Taylor to explain the failed trade during Wednesday’s press conference.
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 left Tobin once again in the background, despite holding his role since Bill Clinton was president. The criticism around him has been building for years, especially through a three-year playoff drought, and the organization did finally respond to that pressure this offseason. The Bengals are 6-2, and Joe Burrow is an MVP front-runner.
Still, the deadline felt like a missed opportunity. Even with the good vibes coming off the Madrid rout of the Falcons, Cincinnati did not add the kind of help that might have pushed the roster further.
The source of the frustration is bigger than one failed deal, too. It points to a front office that needs more modern scouting and personnel resources, and to a team that still does not have a true general manager in title and in competence.
Burrow has covered for a lot, but not everything. The Bengals may have had a chance to strengthen their Super Bowl case, and by the end of Tuesday, they had done the opposite.
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