The Cincinnati Bengals were recently mentioned as a potential suitor for the services of Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.
The Bengals have been linked to Indianapolis Colts RB1, Jonathan Taylor, for some time now. However, Barkley has entered the chat from a credible, almost Nostradamus-esque analyst.
It makes sense for the Eagles to potentially move on from their star RB as they are in the midst of a season well below their standard, which could cost their head coach, Nick Sirianni, his job.
The Eagles are 2-6 and already looking ahead. That future may not include Barkley. But what about the Bengals?
With the Bears-Simmons trade nailed, could the Bengals prediction be next?
Recently, Mike Ginnitti of Spotrac released his “5 Not-so-crazy NFL Trade Deadline Blockbusters,” of which the Bengals made the list.
For the Bengals, Ginnitti notes they could acquire Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.
To his credit, Ginnitti knows what we are all thinking. However, he beats us to the punch when he writes, “It should also be noted that the Bengals aren’t exactly known across the league as “buyers”, but an offseason move for Dexter Lawrence, and a healthy, motivated Joe Burrow have us thinking crazy here.”
Yes, we should firmly put this in the ‘believe it when we see it’ file. However, before you fly off the handle and say that there is no way that this could happen, one of Ginnitti’s five suggestions has already come to be.
Ginnitti called the Chicago Bears trading with the Tennessee Titans for defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons just before it happened. Perhaps it was a lucky call. Or maybe he has some inside information that allowed him to step out on that apparently sturdy proverbial limb.
Ginnitti, nailing the Simmons trade, could mean there is something real behind the Bengals trading for Barkley that goes beyond speculation.
Price tag gets steep for Barkley in 2027
As for the Bengals’ financial responsibilities if they were to acquire Barkley, Ginnitti notes, “Cincinnati would acquire Saquon Barkley at 3-year, $36M, partially guaranteed through 2027... Philly would take on dead cap hits of $9M this season, and another $26.4M in 2027 ($13M lost).”
The Bengals have enough cap space to absorb most trades they would look to execute by the Tuesday deadline. According to Over the Cap, Cincinnati has $7.2 million in cap space available.
The issue for the Bengals comes in 2027 and 2028, when Barkley is owed $16M and $19.2M, respectively. That may be a bit too rich for the front office for a running back. But if they give up future draft assets, they would want to keep him through the length of the deal.
Hard to justify an RB trade if you don’t run the ball
At the end of the 2025 season, we argued that a successful 2026 campaign may hinge on the Bengals running the ball more. The coaches and Joe Burrow disagree. And to their credit, so does their overall record through seven games.
Nevertheless, the 2027 and 2028 financial requirements to keep Barkley on the roster after giving up draft capital that would more than likely seep into those years would be extremely rich for a player who would most of his time not be running the ball, with Zac Taylor’s offenses consistently near the bottom in rushing attempts.
The very bottom this season.
The answer to that would be for the Bengals to run the ball more, something that Taylor, Joe Burrow, or Ja’Marr Chase, who is increasingly frustrated with the offense in general, are inclined to want to do.
Barkley would be in the same boat as Chase Brown
With the Bengals, Barkley, like the other backs on the roster, would still have to contend with non-Chase Brown issues, which include running behind the 66th out of 69-ranked run-blocking tackle according to PFF, predictable plays and timing, running out of shotgun on 3rd and 2, and running into heavy defensive boxes at the 10th-highest percentage despite having two All-Pro caliber receivers on the outside.
The Bengals could only hope that Barkley is as understanding and patient as Chase Brown has been. They would also hope the Eagles RB is as good a receiver and pass blocker. Speaking of the Bengals’ criminally underrated running back…
Acquiring Barkley would signal the end of Brown in The Queen City after this season. That would be disappointing for everything he brings to the team as the lead back. At this point, however, we would be happy for Brown to get the respect and pay raise that he deserves, even if it is with another team next offseason.
Trade deadline unlike any other for the Bengals
This trade deadline, more than any before, will be one to watch, with the Bengals being connected to so many players and the front office going all in on this season.
With that, you would think the team would target defensive talent rather than another offensive skill player. Nevertheless, while we at Stripe Hype are hoping beyond hope that rumors of landing Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks come to fruition, all signs point to the front office looking at possible running back targets.
Everyone, including his wife, has been looking at Jonathan Taylor as a target for the Bengals. However, with Spotrac’s Ginnitti nailing the Jeffrey Simmons trade and the Eagles’ season headed in the wrong direction, a potential move involving Saquon Barkley has our attention.
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