6 most disappointing trades in Cincinnati Bengals history

Trading Bill Bergey in 1974

The Bengals spent a second-round pick on linebacker Bill Bergey in the 1969 draft and he was a productive player for them in his five years with the team. Unfortunately, the two sides didn’t get along and by 1974, things came to a head.

Bergey signed a contract to play with the World Football Team following the end of his contract with the Bengals, which expired in 1976. This obviously did not go over well with the Bengals organization and they offered him up on the trade market instead.

The Eagles were the winners in the Bergey sweepstakes and in return, Cincinnati received three draft picks. Bergey went on to play the next seven years in Philadelphia and made it to four Pro Bowls and receive one All-Pro honor.

Cincinnati didn’t do horribly with their haul, landing Wilson Whitley, Ray Griffin, and Ross Browner with those three picks they acquired from Philly. Whitley played for six years in the Queen City, Griffin spent seven years with the organization, and Browner was in Cincinnati for nine years.

It wasn’t a bad haul by any means but it was disappointing to see Bergey leave despite what he had been able to do for the organization up to that point. But hey — It could have been worse, right?