Bengals SHOULD Make MOVES at Trade Deadline: Time to Trade Trey Hendrickson
It’s time for the Cincinnati Bengals to be really, really honest with themselves at this crucial part of the season, their by-week, the trade deadline. Let’s break it down. You are Locked on Bengals, your daily Cincinnati Bengals podcast, part of the Locked On Network, your team every day. What up, Bengals fans? and welcome to another episode of the Locked On Bengals podcast. Part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. He’s James Renee. I’m Jake LCO. We’ve been covering your Cincinnati Bengals here on Locked On Bengals between the two of us since 2016. Your most consistent one-stop shop on the internet or wherever you get your Bengals content for everything going on with the Cincinnati Bengals. News, analysis, film breakdowns, postgame reactions. We’ve got it all here all year round on Locked on Bengals. The Everydayers already know it. And if you make us part of your routine, you make us your first listen, we appreciate all of you out there with those great listening habits. And well, we’ve got some big topics to get into today. James Renee, the trade deadline right around the corner. The Cincinnati Bengals in a position to really evaluate who is part of their future. be honest about who they are this year and make choices accordingly. That’s where we start today in an episode brought to you by FanDuel, where new customers can bet just $5 and if that bet wins, you’ll get $300 in bonus bets to use across the app. But James, like I said, starting with trade deadline discussions and to me, any discussion around the trade deadline for the Cincinnati Bengals means they need to be honest about who they are this year with themselves and understand where they’re at. They need to have a clear plan about what players on this team are part of their future. They need to have an a good idea of how to execute that plan, even if that means starting it this year. And if they have offers for guys who aren’t part of that plan or can generate trade interest in guys who aren’t part of that plan, they should move them and start loading up because they need a major reload on the defensive side of the ball. Yep. There’s a lot of starters that should be traded. You ready? You I’m going to go down the list. I’m going to go down the list of should literally should be traded and I’m serious about this. Not oh well listen or no they should be traded. Obviously it starts with Trey Hendrickson. We can dive into him more in just a second because that’s where the bulk of our conversation I think would start because he has the most value. Joseph Osai I would trade. BJ Hill I would trade. Cam Taylor Brit I would certainly trade. Uh Logan Wilson not a starter would trade. Gino Stone can you get something for him? I would trade. Jordan Battle I don’t think anyone uh is would be mad if you traded him. I’m not sure what he would have but the what value he would have but there’s a theme there and it’s all right well big contracts Logan Wilson BJ Hill bye-bye expiring contracts Joseph Osai Gino Stone bye-bye Jordan Battle is he part of the solution doesn’t feel like it if you could get something considered bye-bye and and then obviously it’s the the Trey Hendrickson one and that’s the really the big one a lot of those names I just mentioned you’re not getting a ton for doesn’t mean you’re not getting something for them. You’re not getting a ton and they’re not going to move all of those guys. But the Trey Hendrickson thing has lingered and lingered. Like we’re talking about eight plus months now going back to the combine nine months of uncertainty of trade request of permission for trade request and now you know he’s dealing with a hip issue. I’m sure he’ll be healthy enough to play when the Bengals get back from their buy. But you’re three and six. He’s going to be three and 31 years old. Is he part of your long-term future? And if the Bengals have any hesitation about using the franchise tag, have any hesitation about signing him to a long-term deal, have any hesitation about making Trey Hendrickson part of their long-term future, well then the the answer is pretty clear. The writing’s on the wall because I I think you could get a day two pick, probably a round two pick, maybe and a player, maybe in a a round two and a late pick as well. Like I I it’s not insane to think you could get multiple picks for Trey Hendrickson. And and the other thing that I found myself when I was thinking about this found myself think uh wondering about is when the Bengals get back to the Super Bowl and I know people are going to hear that and say, “Oh, well you’re ridiculous, James. They’re never going to give.” And I get it. But when they get back to the Super Bowl, Jake, do you envision Trey Hendrickson out there with the Super Bowl logo, that patch? Do do you do you think you’ll see that again if if you do sign him long term? If you do bring him back, like is that realistic? And if the answer is no, then you might as well get what you can for him now. And I think that’s the most realistic thing is is that you you trade him, you maximize what you can get for him, and you move on. Yeah. I think the the complicating part with Trey is the franchise tag. And we talked about this when he signed the adjusted deal. The fact that he allowed that void year and his agent allowed that void year mean that the franchise tag for Trey Hendrickson is an avoidable is is an affordable sorry number also avoidable if they had signed him to a long-term deal but an an affordable number for the Cincinnati Bengals next year. The the cap hit is roughly the same as it otherwise would be because of that void year, but from a cash outlay uh it it’s the same or it’s the same as a basic franchise hack. cheaper than it had to be if they hadn’t agreed to the voyier that that franchise tag would be an untenable idea for the Bengals. So maybe it is anyway, but it would be an financially untenable number for the Bengals to think about. The fact that that option exists does muddy the waters a little bit amid reports from Diana Rousini, who uh is the only one really reporting about what the Bengals are asking for as of the time of us recording this episode. James saying that the Bengals are still looking for a first round pick in return for Trey Hendrickson. And I get it because you look at the Micah Parson’s return. You look at the asking price for the the top end edge rushers in the NFL and and that’s what the Bengals are saying that Trey is from a trade market perspective. I get why they would ask that. But in season expiring deal, the team would have to give up a lot of money. It’s it’s a lot of the same reasons that they didn’t get that offer in the offseason and now you’re in season. You’re hoping for a desperate team that really wants that pass rush help to make you an offer. Jaylen Phillips was just traded for a third round pick and Trey is better than Jaylen Phillips, but he’s also older and more expensive. And so those are factors that the Bengals have to contend with. But the the the biggest complica complication here me is is that franchise tag option in their back pocket? Because yeah, if they are considering that and they’re like, “Ah, we might want to franchise him.” then that really probably clouds their analysis of is Trey Hendrickson part of our future or not. Well, if they want to franchise him and that’s something they consider, then they might as well just talk to him now and negotiate an extension. Yeah. You know, and that’s why I said at the beginning when I was talking about execute your plan even if it starts now. That’s exactly what I meant. It’s I mean, you could sign him tomorrow to an extension. So, like, if that’s it, then do it and and cross that box off. You and I both know that’s not it. That’s not going to happen. There’s zero chance he signs an extension this week, right? I mean, that’s not even a bridge that they’re even close to. And and that’s why, again, I I tried to put the Super Bowl element in perspective. You’re trying to get back to the Super Bowl. How do you get back to the Super Bowl? And if if you do get back there, is it realistic to think that 91 is going to have Hendrickson on the back of his jersey and and be have that Super Bowl patch? I just don’t think it is. I really don’t. I mean, maybe the the the past couple weeks where they give up 87 points in two game, maybe that’s it. Maybe that’s what’s cl 86 points. That’s what’s clouding my mind. But maybe not. Maybe this is just who they are. And and the defense needs a complete revamp. And plus, you you get those assets. And I get it. There are people that are gonna be like, man, they’re gonna waste those assets anyway. That’s fine. I have a whole another wrinkle trade deadline wise that I want to get to coming up in a bit after we discuss the roster here. But you can’t just hold on to hold on. And if you can get value for Trey, if you could get a two and a five for Trey, which I don’t think is out of the question. If late, let’s say you get a late two, a playoff team sends you a two and then a fifth round, like do can you really say no to that? I I would have a hard time saying no to that given where they are, given where he is, given where the contract extension would have to be with guarantees and everything that he would want. You already know that. You’ve been down this pike. Even with the free the the the tag and everything, I’m good, man. I’m good. If you can get like a two and a five, two and a six, two and a player, whatever. Now, it would take a two. I’m not giving them away. Two gets you in the door here. I know they’re saying one fine with the negotiating part, but by Tuesday at two or at Tuesday at 4 p.m. a two plus would get it done for me. Yeah, I think the I’m probably on the same page as you if that’s the decision. I think that like there’s still an argument to keep him as part of your long-term plan and and we’re not really discussing that here because I I don’t think either of us really buy that that’s the Bengals vision here. the way they treated him this off seasonason, the way this has been going on for years, that the saga back and forth. You mentioned training camp, it goes back longer than that. It goes back years. It goes back to that first sweetener and one-year extension and then last year’s trade request and this year’s trade request and that the trade request permission granted this year. it it’s been going on for a long time now which really makes you doubt that Trey Hendrickson is part of that long-term plan which is why you come around to okay trade the most valuable piece you have get as many assets as you can and if your point goes to Duke Tobin and how you’re going to spend those assets well then there is a bigger conversation there and then you’re talking about ownership stepping in and facilitating the trade and deciding later whether Duke Tobin’s going to be the guy to use those assets or not again a bigger conversation but all of these questions about the Cincinnati Bengals and where they’re at. Do go to the top. We’ll continue like you said, James, more to get to here on the trade deadline in terms of other players that could be traded in terms of your ideas for what the Bengals could do coming up next. Nobody likes paying rent, but if you must, you might as well get something for it. And that’s where Built comes in. Built is changing the game by turning your rent payment into real rewards you can actually use. When you pay rent through Built, you earn flexible points that can be redeemed toward hundreds of hotels, airlines, a future rent payment, your next lift ride, and more. But Built just isn’t about rent. No, no, no. It’s about rewarding you around your entire neighborhood. Built is awesome. It makes everyday life more rewarding. From your neighborhood to your travel plans, whether you’re grabbing food at your favorite local restaurant, heading to the gym, you can earn rewards with Built. It’s that simple. and your rent is finally going to work for you. Turn your rent into rewards and start ear earning points around your neighborhood. All you have to do is go to joinbuilt.com/lockdown NFL. That’s joinbuilt.com/lockdown NFL. j o i nb i lt.com/lockdown NFL. Make sure to use that link so they know we sent you. It’s so interesting, Jake, that that that we’re in in this spot and I look at it and I’m thinking like long-term plan. And I think the way you framed it is important because the the plan on defense is so big right now. Like you got to have a vision because they need so much that if you’re going to turn this defense around, if you’re going to fix it and I as Zach Taylor, hey, you going to can it be fixed? We’re going to try. Didn’t say for sure yes. He said abs. And then he stopped himself because he knew, I think. And I I did I exchanged some texts from from coaches and other NFL personnel Sunday night early Monday morning just about the talent level and and I’m just like all right well just to make sure one I’m ripping them for tackling and all those things and just all of it just to kind of confirm and and bounce ideas off of them. And I mean the talent level shocker is lacking. NFL circles feel the same way that we do, that fans do, that everybody does. And so, if you’re the Bengals, not only should you be willing to move some of these guys that clearly aren’t in your long-term plans, and Logan Wilson, not. Joseph Oside, not. I mean, I I think it’s pretty unlikely that he resigns here. Doesn’t really make sense. BJ Hill, you could argue, I guess he is, but it’s a bad contract, so why not just move it? And so, plenty of guys like that. But if you can find a building block, if you can find the next DJ reader, the next insert whoever that costs a a significant piece, maybe you flip Trey and use that second round pick for it. Whatever the case is, if you can find a building block that can help you help transform what you’re doing or help you get closer to that vision and and carry out that plan at the deadline, I would totally be willing to do it. I know how uneasy that makes people feel, but if you can get a a guy that’s under contract next year and beyond and you’re trading, I don’t know, a mid-round pick in Joseph Osai, I’m just throwing out an idea here. Well, I would totally be willing to do it, right? And some of those guys could be available. And that’s the other conversation here. I don’t think the Bengals should just be sellers. I think if they could find the right fit that’s part of their future plans or could be part of their future plans in their foundation, they should absolutely pursue that guy. almost never happens in the NFL, right? Like I I don’t disagree with you across the NFL and we’re asking the Bengals to do something that that’s bleeding edge. Almost never happens when when you’re a bad team that you’re neither does 52 tack 52 missed tackles in a game and we’ve seen that, you know, like I just they have to they should at least. Well, one of them is not them willing it to happen. One of them is just the incompetence, right? So, like if you’re talking about a long-term piece, say for example, Quinnon Williams, like that’s actually going to cost a fair a fair price. That might cost you a first round pick, maybe it’s the second and and and maybe there’s some other change you can throw in to get there without a first round pick, but we just saw Jaylen Phillips who’s a solid player, probably not as good as like the the, you know, Jeffrey Simmons ideas or the Quinnon Williams ideas, you know, the the stud interior defensive lineman that you can build a defense around. That’s going to cost a lot. Uh, I’m not opposed to it because you need those pieces and the Bengals clearly haven’t been able to find them. Uh, on rookie contracts out outside of maybe DJ Turner, like that that’s the one piece on a rookie contract you’re you’re really hoping you can build around on this defense right now. But given the and I don’t disagree. Like I said, I don’t disagree that they should be exploring those options. But given the unlikelihood, it it’s just like I just keep keep coming back to what assets can they pile up and then deciding later probably like is this the regime that we want to spend those assets given the way those assets have been spent recently. But there are some players that very clearly should be traded. If anyone is interested in Logan Wilson, you move them. If anyone is interested in Cam Taylor Brit, you move them. There’s interest in both of those guys. Exactly. And and given that Trey Hendrickson we don’t think is part of the Bengals long-term plans, we think that that should be one of the one of the obvious moves as well. When you go down the list and you start talking about BJ Hill, if you can get someone to take that contract, is he part of your long-term plan? I think he’s a fine player. This isn’t anything against BJ Hill. It’s just like you need so much on that side of the ball. What pieces are you keeping? and and we keep coming back to a few of those rookie contracts, DJ Turner, Dax Hill, and then so much needs to be rebuilt around those guys. So, why not? If there’s anybody interested in Miles Murphy before he his rookie deal expires, why noting, right? There’s some guys that you would like to see develop. You need to be able to field a team, but why not is my question for most of the guys on this defense. DJ Turner should get an extension. So, I I don’t think I’m trading him. But beyond that, Dax Hill probably should get an extension. Don’t think I’m trading him. Beyond that, I I don’t know if there’s anyone on this defense that I’m not trading. Miles Murphy, is this too rich for you? Miles Murphy and a two for Kavon Tibido. I would do Miles Murphy and a three. I think that’s a no-brainer. A two is a high two. A two is a high two from the Bengals. Like, you got to think of it that way. Yeah. I would have to look at what Kavon Tibido is doing lately. Yeah. I I don’t know if he’s like the gamechanging long-term piece I want to build around. Agreed. I I So, what I would say is for Kavon Tibido, it would be like Miles Murphy in a three. I would do for Quinnon Williams, if if you have a two for Trey, I would offer Trey’s two and and their two for Quinn Williams, like without because their two could be 37th. Like, it could be pretty high. It could be in the 30s when it’s all said and done, depending on how it goes. Those are the those are the ideas, though. Like, it’s so bad. And the reason I mention it because the Bengals aren’t going to do it. Let’s be real. we’d be stunned. The reason I mention it, they need those kind of like, oh my god, they signed DJ Re like you and Joe were doing the show and they signed DJ Reader. How how freaking oh my god they signed DJ Reer were you guys? Like you were and it’s shocking in the moment like what the hell they s like they need that they need that jolt. Obviously, they need to get it right, but like whatever that is. And I’m not saying go get DJ Reader. That doesn’t make sense. But the Lions wouldn’t deal. But go find that next version of that that gives you that jolt. That gives you that excitement, that makes us do the emergency show. They need that if they can, which means um you know, if that guy’s available. And so it it it and it might not be someone that we’re discussing. It might not it might be someone completely off the radar. Fine. It’s their job to find that guy and that’s why I point it out. Yeah. The the difference obviously being that like again these trades almost never happen in the NFL. It’s hard. It is hard. Their job is hard. The position they’re in is hard to recover from. But the reality to us based on what our understanding of the Cincinnati Bengals are this season, what we think their plans are for these guys in terms of their long-term future. Again, I think muddied a bit by that that franchise tag possibility for Trey Hendrickson is there’s a lot of guys on this defense that the Bengals should be actively taking calls for and actively trying to recoup as many draft picks as possible for. I mean, this this is there there are a bunch of stats coming out on uh on Monday, James, as we’re, you know, Monday morning before we started recording this episode about how this defense is historically bad by DVOA, one of the worst defenses ever by points allowed, one of the worst defenses ever. I ran through a bunch of stats yesterday, a bunch of categories in which they’re the worst or second worst or third worst or fourth worst in the last 25 years. And unsurprisingly with the way offense is going, that means they’re also the worst in the Super Bowl era in a lot of those numbers or near worst in the Super Bowl era in a lot of those numbers. And I know Jay Morrison wrote about it over at banglestock.com as well because it’s not hyperbole to say that. A lot of times it is when you’re like watching a game and you’re feeling, man, this I’ve never seen anything like this. A lot of times it is hyperbole. A lot of times it is victim of the moment. And statistically that is really not what it is for the Cincinnati Bengals right now considering what they’re doing on the offensive side of the ball, especially with Joe Flacco. It it’s it’s it’s just beyond disappointing. And as a result, I think that’s why we’re talking about long-term plans, dumping assets, really considering the future of the front office, and really the onus is on ownership to do these things, right? because you have to have those hard conversations about Duke Tobin and maybe they’re not even considering that in which case that’s its own problem. But that’s where we’re at the trade deadline. And then there’s questions about the coaching staff. And as of the time of recording, it doesn’t appear that the Bengals are making any by-week moves on the coaching staff. Maybe that changes by the time you listen to this. If it does, we’ll have another episode up. But what to do about the coaching staff at the bye? That’s next. Today’s show is brought to you by FanDuel. FanDuel is America’s number one sports book. And the NBA is back and there’s no better place to get in on the action than FanDuel. It’s the official sports betting partner of the NBA. And let’s say you miss the game or you’re jumping in in the fourth quarter. Well, that’s when the NBA games are decided anyway. You can have all the fun with FanDuel’s live bets feature. from everything from who’s going to score next to fourth quarter comebacks to same game parlays for a shot at an even bigger payout. It keeps every game exciting. It keeps every game locked in. And let’s be honest, the way the Bengals have gone in the past couple of fourth quarters, the live betting part of it is going to be fun. Not just NBA, but NFL fun, I guess, is a relative term. Right now, FanDuel is giving you an any new customer $300 in bonus bets when your first $5 bet wins. That’s right. Head to fandal.com right now and new customers get $300 in bonus bets when your first $5 bet wins. Sign up and play your game with FanDuel, the official sports betting partner of the NBA. What do you do about this coaching staff, James? You’ve got an offense that since Joe Flacco took over at quarterback for Jake Browning leads the NFL in EPA per play. Yeah, Joe Flacco on a on a career heater here playing through the AC joint. You’ve got your your three defensive rookies really struggling despite being asked to play a lot. Like I said, the defense an unmititigated disaster, but Zach, an offensive head coach, is the head coach. Uh what what are you thinking about their direction at the by-week here? We started to talk about it a little bit yesterday. Yeah, I would make it clear that I I would tell everyone that hey, seats hot. I I I just when examining Hey, am I gonna fire this guy? Right? Like, am I going to fire Zack Taylor? And you start with the head coach and you answer that question. Does it make the Bengals better or are you just doing it to do it? And as of now, I just think it would do it to do it. I don’t think it would necessarily make them better. I think it would make the offense worse. Defense can’t really get worse. Fine. So, there’s one. Alen, well, we think the talent’s bad, right? Like we just talked about it. Like, you got to revamp. Got to do all these things. I get it. They stink. They’re awful. All right. So, firing Al Golden, how does it make them better? Who do you go to? And right now, I just don’t know if there’s an answer here. I I mentioned the the text messages I sent. And part of it was to weigh that, like get people across the league their opinion that isn’t in this building. And one person told me like, “Yeah, I think Al Golden’s a good coach. I thought Lou was a good coach. So, what what’s the issue?” And the issue is obviously like it goes to the talent part of it. So what I would say is don’t why make heads roll like if they keep playing like this Zack and Al, they’re all gone anyway. They’re all gone and they should be like if they keep playing this way and they keep sucking and they’re they’re they’re losing like it’s just because you’re going to have to reset anyway. But look in the mirror. Don’t act with emotion. Look in the mirror and figure out the plan. And I think that’s such a huge part of it is what what is this ownership going to do to fix this issue? Because that’s where it starts. Like it it starts there and then it goes down to Duke and then it goes down. And by the way, there are a lot of people that ask, “Oh well, why doesn’t Duke talk? Why don’t you ask this? Why don’t you ask that?” By the way, we the media has requested Duke. Like I’m at Payar right now. Duke is not going to talk this week. Like we’ve we’ve tried. We would love to talk to Duke. Shocker. But we would love to talk to ownership too, right? We already know the answer there. And and so it’s it’s tough because Zach is answering all these questions and a lot of these are Duke questions when it comes to talent and trades and stuff, but Zach has to answer them. And so, yeah, we’ll we’ll see. I I I’m totally fine. It’s going to offend people. I’m totally fine with them not firing anyone right now. I because I I just I think we had the answer. Not that it isn’t coaching, but I think it’s there’s so many layers to it. And if if firing a coach just if you’re just firing a coach to fire a coach, is that going to make Jordan battle tackle better? Is that going to change the the locker room mindset? Is that going to And if the answer is no, then I’m not sure why you do that now. But maybe you have a conversation and make sure that the the coaches are going to make changes, tweak stuff, whatever. Or maybe you just do fire some, you know, I get it. People want want to just fire, fire fire, fire fire. Alen was considered the best defensive coordinator in the country like eight months ago, nine months ago. Like he didn’t just forget. Lanna Rumo didn’t just forget either. And we knew that when they fired him. We thought maybe there was time for a change. Fine. But that’s it. It by the way, I’m sitting in the room where Z I know I’m going on a rant here. I’m sitting in a room where Zack Taylor’s going to talk like 20 feet away from me and what is it? It’s in two and a half hours. Right after Zach’s done, guess who’s going to talk to us? Al Golden’s going to talk to us. These coaches do face the music. They do have to answer the tough questions. It’s going to be probably uncomfortable in both of those press conferences. I don’t always come down here on Monday. I’m here on Monday. And so I think we know what uh what we’re looking at here. And uh and so is it going to be the most comfortable conversations in the world? No. But uh I also don’t know if it makes the Bengals organization or team better by making a move with with Zack or Al specifically because I think those are the two everyone’s thinking about. Don’t know if it makes them worse long term or short term. That’s the other side of it. And and I get it. If it doesn’t make them better, why do it? If there’s no upside to it. I I just I don’t know if there’s a significant downside to it on defense either. We’re talking about one guy, two guys on this defensive roster that you’re interested in building around right now and a rest a bunch of rest of guys are like, “Ah, we’ll see. We’ll see if there’s any development from these rookies.” That’s it. So, like what’s the downside? That’s the other question here. Sure. And the other thing would be who was stopping on the table for Demetrius Knight and taking a the the risky like the riskiest linebacker prospect on day two combined with and and I’d have to look to confirm that but probably combined with one of the riskiest day one prospect. Like was that Duke? Was that the defensive sta defensive staff? Like who that’s what’s so tough. By the way, if Al Gold’s like, “Yeah, I need Demetrius Knight.” Well, I would have told him shut the hell up. No, you don’t. on draft day, let alone now when it obviously hasn’t worked out. Anyway, keep going. I just Yeah. And and that does make it tough for sure. The the lack of clear clear bright line between front office and coaching staff in Cincinnati and and the blame games that happened there. We’ve played the blame game a couple of times now. It inevitably goes to the top, but the coaches are involved. It’s just really hard to look at a team that, like I said, in the in the last four weeks is is leading the league in EPA, is near the top of the league in EPA on in success rate on offense, is running the ball really well or throwing the ball real well depending on the game. Last week it was throwing the ball really well and has the worst defense by many numbers in the last like 70 years. That’s maybe too many years. 50 years, 25 years, certainly 50 years and some other numbers and and say, “Yeah, you know, everything’s fine. We we should just roll with this for the rest of the year. We shouldn’t make any changes.” Obviously, when you get to the offseason, this there will be changes. Unless there’s a huge sea level change, but there’s no reason to believe that sea level change is coming, right? We we’ll talk about a dead cat bounce at some point. There a couple games at the end of the schedule that look soft. hate it and you can’t get I hate that we keep hearing Jake Liscoco say those words. It’s nothing against you. I just hate it. It’s two years in a row now. It’s not like I like to say it, but the made these mistakes in their history and so we we talk about stupid cat bouncing. They are a cat team. So, we’re at a point where they should be making trades to to build for the future. They need to consider who’s using those picks in the future. They can fire a coach, not fire a coach. Does it make a difference? I I think that is a real question. Who does it make a difference for? I think that is a real question, but given that you’re expecting to talk to Alen shortly after we record this episode, probably not a coaching change coming and and they’re going to live with that and we’re going to talk about what it means for this coaching staff that they do maintain their jobs through the by-week if that indeed is what comes to passes. That is what it seems like here midday Monday. We’re going to talk about their activity or inactivity at the trade deadline. What that means about what their plan is or their ability to execute a plan that is considering the future is considering how do we dig ourselves out of this hole and put a team around Joe Burrow that isn’t embarrassing half the time it’s on the field. Yeah, that’s the task now for the Cincinnati Bengals for the second straight year. Can they do more than sign a single nose tackle to to try to fix their defense? Well, we’ll see. But that starts this week. That starts with the trade deadline. And I know a lot of people out there are thinking the trade deadline is so overhyped. The Bengals never do anything. The NFL never does anything. It’s a It’s a pretty clear-cut approach to me for the Bengals this year. That starts with them really understanding their position. Do something. Do something. There’s no one in the league that doesn’t think you should do something. And I’m not even talking about teams that want your guys. It’s just so obvious. So, do something. that I agree with. Two, uh I will post my goal is to post Al Golden won’t be on camera. It’s going to be audio. My goal is to post on on socials. Uh the audio I know people want to hear from him. Obviously, Zack Taylor will talk. If he says anything interesting, I’ll post that on social as well because let’s be honest here, Jake. This is people want to hear, people want to know, they want accountability, they want all of those things. And um and I get it. It’s what what a frustrating time. I mean, this score 80 points in in two home games against teams that you could could have, should have, would have beat. And uh if you do, you’re five. It just it changes everything. And and now we’re talking about a team and an organization searching. And you’re right, they got to they got to make some moves. If if we if we’re back if our next show isn’t because of breaking news and we’re back after the deadline with they haven’t done anything, then they failed. I’m just setting expectations now. then they failed because they should have done something even if it’s selling. That is something that uh we should be discussing here on this podcast. They should be doing several things. No doubt. Like even if it’s just if it’s just a Logan Wilson trade for I’ll probably be disappointed if that’s all that happens. At least it should be Trey Logan. Trey Logan and Cam because like there are teams that want Logan and want Cam. Like I know obviously bare minimum is is probably Cam and Logan. Bare minimum. Yeah. Yeah. Because they do, Last thing, they do, as weird as it was with McKinley and everyone wondered about the the Mike Penel situation. Part of the reason why, and I can’t share a ton of that, but part of the reason why they moved on from Mike Penel, they did want to get McKinley on the field. So, say for what it was, someone did maybe because it wasn’t last week where it was Jordan Jefferson ahead of McKinley Jackson the entire game. and they’re battling and clearly they’re battling for for whatever but obviously McKinley was active. So we will have your trade deadline reactions. We’ll have trade analysis if a trade happens. We will get through this by week together. Eventually we will get back to the film against the Bears at some point during this by week as well. Until next time, thanks for listening to this episode of the Lockdown Bengals podcast and have a good one.
It is TIME for the Cincinnati Bengals to make multiple moves, including trading Trey Hendrickson ahead of the NFL trade deadline.
Hendrickson isn’t the only player that should be on the move. From Logan Wilson and Cam Taylor-Britt to Joseph Ossai and B.J. Hill—the Bengals should be open to trading multiple players.
James Rapien and Jake Liscow also discuss Zac Taylor and Al Golden’s future with the team.
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35 comments
Disband the whole organization and do the NFL and the people of America a huge favor 😂
Bengals aren't getting anything for these duds outside of Hendrickson and maybe Wilson.
A 2nd and 5th to do what with? Draft more terrible players?
This ongoing fetish with trading our only solid defensive player especially for f'n picks while we wholetime have one of the smallest scouting departments that clearly dont do a great job, has to be on the top of the dumbest takes! Stop spinning this stupid ass take. There is literally no scenario where trading Trey for anything other an already proven talent (which they are all off the board) makes us better for fuc sake give this shit up already and trade everyone else🤦🏾
Disagree. I'd keep him. Might as well, as much went on in the off-season. Keep him in the rotation.
The up-side for the defense, is that it's only Golden's first season as Coordinator.
I don’t agree with 85% of this.
Everyone talked so poorly of the offensive line (nothing could make them better.. fire the coach!) to Flacco coming in and now they’re incredibly good. Yes, sure the players need to want this but this team has the talent.. they are deploying them incorrectly. Everyone wanted Pratt gone and said “Hubbard is washed”.. miss those guys a bit now huh? Oh and who else? MIKE HILTON would help a whole lot right now. This front office and staff are making horrible choices and mistakes
.. and why are we going to trade all these guys so we can acquire more picks that this front office doesn’t know how to use correctly? They need to legitimately look at how the Eagles do things.. and then do that! This is crazy
My plan of attack would be make a couple of moves to build draft capital. Sit Duke and Zac down and tell them that as of now, this is their last year. Recruit the replacement and beef of your scouting department early.
Yes, the Cincinnati Bengals should trade Trey Hendrickson to the Indianapolis Colts for a first round drop pick for 2026 .
This is all just make believe. Trey has no trade value. If there was any interest he would already be gone. Do we think there’s gonna be a lot of interest in our players that suck? Come on!
We have about 4 players with value and they should all be turned into trade capital.
Here’s the thing… if we don’t get a new GM 3 years from now we are still going to be the worst team in the NFL REGARDLESS of how many picks we have
We better have 12 picks in the next draft, ot like 10 and have made a big trade using the other 2.
Was wondering if Shemar and Myles middle names started with O??..then their initials would be SOS and MOM which seems perfect for how they play
Does this mean we should DELETE the entire podcast from a couple days ago james proposing trades for Jeffrey Simmons…Quiennen Williams and others? Did we dream that one or was that actually recorded?
I propose a trade…jordan battle and geno stone to the bengals..for tycen Anderson and ctb as a safety? Try that deal
Trade your Ford Escort for a Ferrari. Then give the new keys to your 15yr old son to drive around after midnight. Similar to what your proposing for daddy dookie?
How bout shemar stewart to philly for jahad campbell?.. Or stewie to Baltimore for malaki starks? Those sound good no?. I personally propose golden to the colts for lou annarumo?
We did something…Why no analysis of this jacob peyer center from arkansas state. ..is he related to dukie on their moms side? That could be the one move that propels us to the playoffs??
Bengals need to move on from Duke and Zac first to get much better at drafting. Even if we got a round 1 for Trey.. would you trade him for Mims or Shemar?
sure why not trade the only plsyer on the defense that wants to win what is the point they will trade him for picke that will play on a 7th grade levelwhat they do so sure hell leet chase higgins and burrow go to where was all these great palyers we were suppose to get in the draft i didn't see any improvement if i was hebdrickson an higgins burrow chase i telll them to trade me if they want to be on a winning team not going to be here with the front office in charge fire the whole coaching staff but they won''''''''''''''''''''''''''''t
First move should be fire Duke Tobin. Half of the starters we have no one wants. Also talks need to be done with Buttow about restructuring his contract if he’s serious about winning.
If you hire an inspirational coach who the players believe in, who can get the players to hit like men instead of boys, and teach them to tackle, yeah it might help. These guys don't want to play for these coaches.
I don't want to trade trey if it means we're getting back A fifth or sixth rounder
Waited too long he’s nowhere near the player he was. Your not getting first round picks I doubt they can even pull second round picks
How could you trade Trey Hendrickson? Are you that certain they'd use the picks for anybody even remotely decent? We win the last two games with Trey. He's the closer. You might as well trade Burrow, while your at it.
Bengals pretend to care about winning, when really it’s all about Tobin’s ego
I am not a fan of in-season firings. But I DO believe that Zac and Duke need to be replaced. We need a true GM, then let him decide on the guys he wants to replace and bring in?
16 total tackles, 4 sacks. That's all I need to see, trade Trey as soon as possible. He doesn't lead our defense in any category (except missed tackles, maybe). Drop the zero and go get a Hero LoL
The defense can’t tackle because they never tackle in practice or preseason. They never face the speed or intensity of a game.
Battle has been an embarrassment since the Washington preseason game.
Golden should take his defense to a college or high school practice so they could get some reps actually tackling – Zack won’t let him tackle in practice!!!
Fire Zack and tell him the goal is to win championships and not to play powder puff football and only try to prevent injuries. Besides, his players still have as many or more injuries…
So their defense sucks so let’s trade the only elite defensive player. Typical.
When they let Jessie Bates go they thought they were so deep they could make up for it somehow. Nope. Never did.
None of this matters because the Bengals cant draft.
The Bengals should take notes from the Jets. Trade them all and start from scratch
The answer for us is investing in scouting. We can get a lot of draft picks out of some of these guys who have no interest in being here. Draft picks are cheaper than proven guys. But, you have to hit on a couple of them a year.
edit : also reboot on coaching staff and gm. without that all the rest is moot.
Change Duke or don’t bother. Everything else is just changing the drapes on the titanic. No point in accumulation of draft capital if Duke still doing the picks