Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has confirmed the team is looking at everything that comes in ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline on Oct. 29.
Meaning, the front office is at least doing due diligence. And if that’s the case, the 0-7 mark makes it pretty clear the team won’t be buying up talent and wasting long-term assets.
If the Bengals decide to sell off talent, these are some of the pairings that would make sense.
Tyler Eifert
Trade Partner: New Orleans Saints
The Saints are cruising with Teddy Bridgewater under center for now but Jared Cook has mostly flopped, catching just 15 passes. Alvin Kamara is second on the team in receiving behind Michael Thomas. The Saints seem like the sort of would-be contender that would love to add a big-upside talent like Eifert. And look — Eifert is actually healthy. But the offensive-minded young coach isn’t using him. Might as well get something in return because it seems like Eifert isn’t part of the plans after this year.
Carlos Dunlap
Trade Partner: Oakland Raiders
When it comes to a player like Dunlap, familiarity is key. Meaning, Paul Guenther and the Raiders. Dunlap is clearly starting to regress and his deal is a big cap hit. Where other teams might low ball the Bengals because it’s obvious they want to sell, someone like Guenther might provide Oakland’s front office with the perspective needed to get something done. And let’s face it — Guenther talked them into Vontaze Burfict.
Geno Atkins
Trade Partner: Minnesota Vikings
Atkins is in the “yeah right” column as far as trades go. But realistically, he’s also one of the top talents other teams — rebuilding or otherwise — might want to come and get. And familiarity is again key. Mike Zimmer of all people knows what Atkins can do, and as opposed to Dunlap, he might be of the mind to encourage his team pay more than it should to take the veteran off the Bengals’ hands.
Dre Kirkpatrick
Trade Partner: Miami Dolphins
If the Bengals want to offload Kirkpatrick’s contract, they probably won’t have too hard of a time finding suitors. He’s been the subject of angst from the fanbase but has been a quality veteran leader and his woes, besides flags, are exaggerated. A team with plenty to splurge and a thirst for veteran talent to lead a locker room like the Dolphins makes some sense. They have just just 17 passes defensed (31st) with one interception.
A.J. Green
Trade Partner: Green Bay Packers
New England and San Francisco seem out given their trades for Mohamed Sanu and Emmanuel Sanders, respectively. But when it comes to Green, don’t forget about a team like Green Bay. The best teams pull no punches in the pursuit of winning, so if a team is going to come with a godfather deal the Bengals can’t ignore, it’s going to be one like the Packers. Sending Green away to play with a respectable franchise and Aaron Rodgers while competing for titles might make the loss a little easier to withstand.
Andy Dalton
Trade Partner: Chicago Bears
It would be a shock on the level of a Carson Palmer-Oakland deal to see the Bengals turn around and deal Dalton right now. But as the NBA-esque offseason and season to date have shown fans, this league is truly wild as of late. A team in a full-blown panic about quarterback (Kansas City isn’t one despite the Patrick Mahomes injury) might at least make a call. The Bears come to mind thanks to a two-game skid to 3-3 where Mitch Trubisky bumped his season numbers to just five touchdowns and two interceptions with 839 yards. Remember, Chicago doesn’t have a first in 2020 (but an extra second), but Dalton might not fetch that regardless.
