Cincinnati Bengals: Baby Steps for NFL Trade Deadline

Mark Twain, one of the greatest minds in American history, once said, “When the end of the world comes, I’ll be in Cincinnati because it’s always twenty years behind.”

That’s true in so many ways, and the spirit of the city has woven itself into the fabric of the team’s front office.

However, the Cincinnati Bengals grew a little bit on Tuesday.

Are they still behind in building and maintaining a championship roster? Yes, but they are making progress – even if it is one small step at a time.

The Bengals made a trade before the deadline. They sent a 2025 seventh-round pick to Chicago Bears in return for running back Khalil Herbert. The addition was necessary. The Bengals lost Zack Moss for the season and Herbert gathered dust in Chicago. The two are very similar and both are capable of blocking. It also saves the Bengals offense from putting too many miles on Chase Brown, which could lead to more injuries.

It wasn’t enough.

The Bengals really needed to add depth on defense. The offense hasn’t been the problem leading to the Bengals’ 4-5 record. The defense’s inability to stop any talented offense has led to losses that should have been wins. Teams don’t often score 30 or more points and lose.

The Bengals could have sent draft picks to a cornerback to help replace Dax Hill and bolster the secondary. They could have gone for an edge rusher to help compliment Trey Hendrickson.

They obviously think the guys who want to step up are already in the locker room. Myles Murphy, last year’s first round pick, has an opportunity to prove his worth. Guys like DJ Ivey and Josh Newton will be trusted more than Lou Anarumo would probably want.

Still, they did something.

The ring of honor, the ruler of the jungle, all the fan engagement and the new uniforms were all aesthetically pleasing changes to the franchise. Combined with the duo of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, both of whom were gifted to the Bengals due to back-to-back terrible seasons, the team has suddenly become nationally “cool.”

Until now, all these changes were like painting an old rusty car – it’s prettier now, but it still doesn’t run right.

Perhaps this small trade is indicative of a larger trend, however. Perhaps this is the toe in the water before the leap. If the trade goes through and Herbert is somehow able to help the Bengals rebound from what has been an extremely disappointing season thus far, the team’s front office might see the benefit of making moves. Perhaps this is just the first apple on a tree to ripen with fruit.

Perhaps.

Hopefully.

They didn’t do “enough” for the 2024 season before the trade deadline ended, at least in my opinion, but I hope what they did was open Pandora’s box. Only time will tell.

The Bengals have shown that they are not entirely content to just let the chips fall where they may. They have taken a step, however small, to adapt to the challenges of a grueling season. Whether these minor movements signal a more significant change in the future remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Bengals fans can only hope and be happy that the team has finally entered the 21st century — 20 years too late.

Who Dey!