Bengals Once Again Stand Pat At Deadline
Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor reacts against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The narrative surrounding the Bengals and the trade deadline has always been the same: they are not active.
To Cincinnati fans, it’s almost as though the deadline does not exist. The last time the Bengals made a midseason acquisition was in 1972. For context, this was the same year that the Cincinnati Reds had made only their fifth World Series appearance. In that trade, the Bengals acquired LB Ron Pritchard and WR Charlie Joiner from the Houston Oilers. In that trade, they gave up RBs Fred Willis and Paul Robinson.
This trade deadline was more of the same for Cincinnati.
The Bengals didn't make any moves at the deadline. Here's my instant reaction and thoughts about what's next at tight end, running back and other roster questions⬇️https://t.co/aMkshsbjFl
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) October 31, 2023
While speculation was in the air about the Bengals looking to fill existing voids in the running back and tight end positions, they made zero trades ahead of the Tuesday deadline. The only player at either of those positions to be traded ahead of the deadline was Cam Akers, who was traded from a crowded LA Rams backfield to the Minnesota Vikings, who has seen Alexander Mattison put up inconsistent production in his first full year as a starting running back.
Not only did the front office stick with the guys on their roster, but they made a roster move to give their tight end room a boost.
#Bengals announce that they've signed TE Tanner Hudson off the practice squad to the active roster. pic.twitter.com/qoWyysM8FF
— Cincinnati 💔 (@CincyProblems) November 1, 2023
In two games this season (weeks 3 and 4), Tanner Hudson has four catches on six targets for 48 yards. His most productive game came in primetime against the LA Rams, where he had two catches for 30 yards. If Irv Smith Jr. continues to have lackluster production, Hudson can earn himself even more playing time, or even a starting role, if he continues to make the most of his opportunities.
Running back was an area of need as well, especially given Chase Brown’s recent transition to the IR, but the Bengals chose not to address that, either. Joe Mixon eased some of the running back concerns after having his best game of the season thus far on Sunday, running for an extremely solid 16 carries, 87 yards, and a game sealing touchdown.
Joe Mixon high-stepping into the end zone 😤pic.twitter.com/xoixdWYvoh
— Bengals Nation (@BengalsNationCP) October 29, 2023
One target that has consistently been rumored to have been on the move, and a player they received calls about, is Tee Higgins. This is due to his contract expiring at the end of the year and potential salary cap restrictions. According to ESPN, however, the Bengals did not even entertain calls that were centered around the star receiver. Zac Taylor has consistently shot down rumors centered around trading Higgins.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor laughs off "nonsense" of Tee Higgins trade rumors pic.twitter.com/VvSBjGn2nZ
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) February 28, 2023
Higgins is due for a contract extension by the end of the season. Whether or not the Bengals choose to retain him remains to be seen.
With these lack of moves at the deadline, the Bengals have stuck to their own norm by showing a clear belief in their current roster, even with some of the shortcomings at some offensive positions. The statement win in San Francisco against a 49ers team that most experts expected to win made it much easier for the Bengals to adopt a policy of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
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