Bengals Fans Brace for a Snoozer: Why the Trade Deadline Could Be Quiet Again
Death, taxes, slow starts, and the Bengals staying quiet at the trade deadline — are we talking about the Bengals or the Reds here? Both franchises seem to fit the bill, and there are solid reasons why the Bengals are unlikely to make any trade moves this season.
Does this sound familiar?
Starting at 3-5 with victories only over weaker teams, the Bengals are struggling. The offense falters in clutch situations, and the defense can’t seem to hold strong. The Joe Burrow era should be a prime Super Bowl window, but staying in the 2024 playoff race is looking like an uphill battle.
Despite calls to trade players like Tee Higgins or acquire defensive help, Cincinnati is unlikely to make any deadline deals. Fans may want more, but in the words of Nick Saban, “It’s not happening, so quit askin’!”
Expect Another Quiet Bengals Trade Deadline
It’s Just Not How They Operate
The Bengals’ approach to trades isn’t typical of other NFL teams, despite fans hoping they’ll shake things up. Since 2000, Cincinnati has made only 23 trades:
– 2 during the season
– 4 in the preseason
– 17 in the offseason
Breaking it down further:
– 3 player-for-player trades
– 3 trades to acquire a player
– 5 trades sending a player away
– 12 involving draft picks
The only in-season trades were on October 18, 2011, when they sent Carson Palmer to the Raiders for a first-round pick (Dre Kirkpatrick) and a second-round pick (Giovani Bernard), and on October 28, 2020, when they traded Carlos Dunlap to the Seahawks for B.J. Finney and a seventh-round pick (Wyatt Huber). Neither trade involved “buying” talent but rather moving disgruntled veterans.
While Joe Burrow’s presence might tempt the Bengals to change strategy, don’t be surprised if the team remains absent from the NFL transaction page by 4:00 p.m. EST on November 5.
The End May Not Justify the Means
There isn’t just a binary approach to trades in the NFL, with teams either being extremely conservative like the Bengals or as aggressive as the Rams. Every player has a market price, but often the Bengals don’t end up on the favorable side of these deals.
For example, while Cincinnati urgently needs pass-rush reinforcements, their options are limited. Trey Hendrickson is a top-tier pass rusher and is notably underrated, but as shown in the game against the Eagles, when he’s neutralized, the Bengals’ defense struggles. Hendrickson was taken out by a backup left tackle in that matchup, which only underscored the issue. Beyond Hendrickson, Cincinnati’s pass rush has little impact, which is why acquiring more help in this area remains a priority.
In essence, the Bengals’ conservative trade stance and reliance on limited options in critical areas, like the pass rush, continue to challenge the team’s overall effectiveness.
This isn't something I'd normally like to post, but out of 255 defensive linemen with at least 50 snaps, Sam Hubbard ranks 252nd and Myles Murphy ranks 253rd in PFF Pass Rush Grading.
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) October 28, 2024
B.J. Hill had an outstanding performance against the New York Giants but was absent against the Eagles.
Given how pricey Burrow and (hopefully) Ja’Marr Chase will be, the Bengals are likely to keep all of their draft picks rather than go out and buy a player.
They could have dealt a 2026 sixth-round pick for Josh Uche, as the Kansas City Chiefs did, but that’s not how the Bengals operate.
ANY move would most likely be praised as a positive one. However, no movement will be made.
The Best is Yet to Come?
The Bengals have yet to find their rhythm in 2024. While the offense has carried its weight, often bearing the responsibility to offset defensive shortcomings, the defense has struggled considerably. Injuries have factored into a few losses, but even with a full roster, the defense has had a hard time, recording three games with a concerning -20 expected points or worse, according to Pro Football Reference. Their performance against the Commanders was especially troubling, where they failed to force a single punt and posted -27 expected points.
On offense, Joe Burrow has performed at an MVP-caliber level, but without Tee Higgins against the Eagles, the offense struggled, and left tackle issues arose with Orlando Brown Jr.’s injury, forcing Cody Ford into significant snaps. This left the team exposed, and Cincinnati’s overall success waned. They might consider adding depth on the offensive line or another receiving threat, though the Bengals are often reluctant to part with their assets.
As the trade deadline approaches, only a matchup against the Raiders remains before November 5, where a win would put Cincinnati at 4-5. Although acquiring a reliable contributor for a late-round pick could benefit them, the franchise’s preference for preserving compensatory picks, like one potentially for Higgins, often holds them back from making deals. Historically, the Bengals have adopted a “stand-pat” approach to the trade deadline, regardless of the team’s standing, and this year appears to be no different.