Prior to the NFL trade deadline, Jeremy Hill looked to be on his way out of Cincinnati. However, the Bengals decided to keep the fourth-year running back in town and in return got absolutely nothing.
Weeks ago I wrote a piece telling fans to be prepared for the Bengals to keep Jeremy Hill and not trade him away. The idea was based on the fact that Giovani Bernard was coming off of an ACL injury and no one knew what to expect from Joe Mixon over the long season.
The Bengals, of course, kept him. And instead of dealing Hill away and getting a draft pick or even another capable player, the Bengals decided to keep the former LSU Tiger. In return, Hill eventually landed on the Injury Reserve List.
Hill underwent ankle surgery that probably could have waited until the end of the season. And the Bengals were left with no running back, no other player to fill his spot and no extra draft picks. Great move Cincinnati.
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It’s almost a definite that Hill will not be in Cincinnati next year. His rookie deal is coming to an end and the Bengals backfield is crowded, to say the least. With that being said, Hill is a starter in this league and if he doesn’t find a home as the featured back somewhere, he’s a solid RB2.
Walking papers
The Bengals will let him walk for nothing as they so often have done with good players in the past. But, ironically, it seems very Bengals-like to do such a thing this season. Just look what Cincinnati has done this year.
They bench Joe Mixon and say that he needs to learn from Jeremy Hill. Attempted to trade A.J. McCarron but take to long to make the deal. Although it was essentially the Browns fault, the Bengals knew what he was worth to them. Why make it hard? Just put your cards on the table. But, anyway (sigh). A.J. Green was ejected for fighting, Tyler Eifert went down…again. Vontaze Burfict is constantly being questioned. Ken Zampese was fired and replaced with Bill Lazor (as if that was going to help anything).
Picking up what I’m putting down?
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It’s just a season for frustration here in Who Dey Nation. While the Bengals could have easily sent Hill to New York, Miami, LA, Washington or even Oakland, we’ll watch Hill walk away freely at the end of this year. Perhaps, if we’re lucky, we’ll see the coaching staff and the front office walk too.