Bengals Should Surprise Everyone, Make Move at Trade Deadline
CINCINNATI — The trade deadline is less than 24 hours away. No one expects the Bengals to make a move because they rarely make midseason trades, but this year should be different.
Cincinnati is one of the most talented teams in the NFL. We saw it on Sunday when they dominated a talented San Francisco 49ers team.
We also know that Joe Burrow is 100% healthy. He ran for 43 yards, threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns and looked like his normal self after dealing with a calf injury for the first six games of the season.
With a healthy Burrow, an ascending team that has won three-straight games and plenty of picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, there’s no reason why this team shouldn’t address at least one of their weaknesses ahead of the deadline.
Irv Smith Jr. fumbled at the end of the first half with the Bengals closing in on their third touchdown of the game. Instead of having a 21-10 lead at halftime, they only led 14-10.
While they were able to overcome Smith’s mistake against the 49ers, they desperately need to get more production from the tight end position.
The Patriots are the worst team in the AFC. They’re 2-6 on the season. Bill Belichick should be open for business ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.
Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki would both be huge upgrades for the Bengals. Both players are in the final year of their contracts, so it’s not like either guy would impact Cincinnati’s future cap situation.
Speaking of the salary cap, the Bengals have plenty of space this season to absorb the rest of Henry’s contract. He seems like the better fit. Gesicki is younger and would give them a talented pass catching tight end. He signed a one-year deal with the Patriots in free agency.
Either guy would be an instant upgrade. They wouldn’t cost much from an asset perspective. New England may be looking for a fifth rounder, but a sixth may get it done. The Bengals also have a history of trading with the Belichick-led Patriots, including the Corey Dillon and Chad Johnson trades.
Tight end isn’t the only position the Bengals should consider addressing at the deadline.
They put rookie Chase Brown on injured reserve with a hamstring injury on Saturday. He’ll miss at least three more games. Joe Mixon played well against the 49ers, but the Bengals need another proven option in the backfield.
Sending a pick to the Broncos in exchange for Samaje Perine has been talked about plenty, but there are other options. Why not check in on the availability of Commanders running back Antonio Gibson? What about former Packers second-round pick AJ Dillon?
Both guys fit what the Bengals should be looking for at the deadline.
Neither player will cost much. They’re in the final year of their respective contacts and they could help fill some of the glaring holes on the roster.
This Bengals team has a chance to win the Super Bowl. They’re also scheduled to have nine draft picks in April. They shouldn’t hesitate to use one or even two of them at the deadline to improve the ros
