With the NFL trade deadline being just a matter of days away (November 10th) and the Colts deciding to kick off their fire sale on Monday, trade rumors have begun heating up around the league. Reports of players supposedly on the market and their potential suitors run rampant in anticipation of what could be the most active trade deadline in years.
And there's reason to believe the Bengals might not sit back and just watch at this year's deadline (See: Colts; Jonathan Taylor).
For one, they've been active by their standards the last couple of years at the deadline. Granted, "their standards" for the trade deadline are sitting on their hands and doing nothing, but that doesn't take away from the fact that they have been more willing to bring in and deal away players mid-season as opposed to their more conservative approach. Even if those moves ultimately end up being insignificant.
Secondly, they were remarkably aggressive this offseason with major signings (Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook, Jonathan Allen) and trading away the tenth overall pick for the best defensive tackle in football. Who's to say that aggression doesn't carry over into the season? It certainly feels like they're in "win now" mode...
So, let's look at some positions of need for the Bengals and project what they may do to address (or not) them as the deadline approaches.
All stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
Running Back - Trade
If there's one position that I have any confidence in the front office making a trade for, it's running back.
Despite the Bengals' 35-point "blitzkrieg," as Jim Nantz put it, in the second half, the run game remained stagnant for the most part. Chase Brown had 39 yards on 11 carries, and Perine had 16 on just four. A large part of their offensive turmoil in that scoreless first half was due to Taylor and company trying to get the run game going with something they likely worked on over the bye, before wisely deciding to abandon it in the second half.
On the season, the Bengals have mustered just 487 yards (31st) on 3.6 yards per carry (T-28th) with 36 rushing first downs (26th). The scheme isn't blameless, but it's becoming increasingly clear that Chase Brown isn't the answer, at least not as a lead workhorse back. Thus, the trade market.
It wouldn't be the first time the Bengals traded for a running back in the middle of the season; they did so back in 2024 when they shipped a seventh-round pick over to Chicago for Khalil Herbert. Running backs aren't exactly hard to trade for either, there's always a surplus on the market, so they likely wouldn't have to send too much, depending on who they target.
Jonathan Taylor would be a dream scenario, but not something you should hold your breath for. It's less about what the Colts would want in return (likely a second-round pick and potentially more) and more about Taylor's contract. $21 million cap hit in 2027 followed by a $23 million cap hit in 2028. A very steep price to pay, especially for a running back, and that's not even considering the extension Amarius Mims has earned himself this offseason.
Still, there are other intriguing options projected to be on the trade block. Tony Pollard, whose team the Bengals will face this weekend, could be dealt and is on an expiring deal. I mentioned Kimani Vidal as a possible option, and Stripe Hype's own Matt Fitzgerald brought up another Charger running back in Keaton Mitchell to add to the backfield. The Giants have a loaded running back room themselves; maybe they would be interested in swapping Tyrone Tracy Jr. or Devin Singletary for Shemar Stewart.
Whichever way they decide to go, it would be a surprise if the Bengals decided not to make an offer for a running back before the trade deadline.
Tight End - Stay Put
The devastating Erick All Jr. news has brought this issue to the forefront in the past couple of days, as fans have realized just how thin the tight end room really is. Not to sound like a broken record, but Mike Gesicki is, in reality, a slot receiver even if he's officially listed as tight end.
So, with Erick All Jr. out for the rest of the season with another torn ACL and Tanner Hudson lost for the year back in their Week 5 bout @ Miami, that leaves perennial Bengal Drew Sample, seventh-round pick Jack Endries (who, on the bright side, should be seeing more snaps moving forward, and Cam Grandy, who Cincinnati brought back off of the Vikings' practice squad.
Ideally, they would make a move and trade for one in the midst of these critical injuries. However, outside of Dallas Goedert or maybe one of the Chargers' tight ends (specifically Charlie Kolar or David Njoku), is there anyone to trade for that would impact winning? There doesn't seem to be that many tight ends on the market this year.
Plus, even if it's shorthanded right now, the coaching staff clearly trusts the tight ends they have. Sample is the longest-tenured Bengal, Zac Taylor has sung his praises about the rookie Endries, and Grandy has played in 13 games across the 2024-2025 seasons and knows the offense.
Zac Taylor on TE Jack Endries: "Attention to detail is really important to him. I've got trust in him. ... If needed he'll be ready to go. Not nervous at all about using him."
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) October 28, 2026
The most the Bengals might do to address the tight end room mid-season is sign someone off a practice squad like they did with Cam Grandy or make a claim on waivers.
Linebacker - Free Agent
Let's be clear: Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter are the starters at linebacker, and that's not going to change. They've both taken steps and improved as players in their sophomore seasons, and they also have the trust of the coaching staff, as both Al Golden and Zac Taylor have sung their praises.
That being said, with Swayze Bozeman on IR, the linebacker room is pretty thin as well. Besides the two 2025 draftees, the rest of the position consists of Oren Burks, Joe Giles-Harris (who is an excellent special teamer), and Jack Kiser, a 2025 4th-round pick out of Notre Dame who was recently cut by Jacksonville. It's definitely a room that could use some more depth.
During the offseason, fans were clamoring for the Bengals to sign Bobby Wagner after the LB market quickly dried up. Now, heading into Week 8, Wagner is still on the market, and there are still calls to sign him-- for good reason. While he likely wouldn't cut much into Knight or Carter's snaps at this point, it would still be helpful for the leadership and his ability to help stop the run.
Even if the Bengals don't go with Wagner, they probably still look to the few remaining free agents to add at linebacker, especially if any more injuries occur. They could have a reunion with Germaine Pratt or call Logan Wilson and bring him out of retirement. Other names include Jerome Baker and Matt Milano.
Safety - Stay Put
With Jordan Battle's inconsistencies in both tackling and coverage, several big names projected to be on the trade block have been linked to the Bengals. Derwin James Jr., Budda Baker, and even a reunion with Jessie Bates! It is the next logical step to take when it comes to improving the team, as safety has been the weak spot on this defense and having one of those guys playing alongside Cook instead would be a major improvement.
Unfortunately, I'm not buying it.
Just like the linebackers above, both Zac and Al have been outspoken in their support for Jordan Battle, and they see him as the starter. They're willing to live with the mistakes because they see meaningful contributions on a play-by-play basis from the 4th-year safety. To be fair, he does tend to be in the area of a tipped ball a lot.
Not to mention, their contracts are probably steering the front office away from making any calls. Derwin especially, as he just signed an extension this offseason that made him the highest-paid safety in the league. Baker and Bates are far behind, at 5th-highest and 8th-highest respectively, but they don't have many years left on their contracts, so they are more feasible.
The biggest reason, though, is that the front office already spent a lot addressing the safety position this offseason after they mercifully ended the Geno Stone experiment, signing both Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger. The latter has been depth and mostly played on special teams, but when he has been on the field at safety, he's been solid.
Just like the tight end position, the most they'll do to address safety in-season is look to the practice squad. Which they have actually already done this season when they elevated Russ Yeast from it after Bryan Cook got injured against Pittsburgh back in Week 3.
Overall, don't expect Cincinnati to be much more active/aggressive at the trade deadline than they have been over the last couple of years.
Add us as a preferred source on Google